Biological Sciences

Public Engagement

Public engagement with science describes intentional, meaningful interactions that provide opportunities for mutual learning between scientists and members of the public.

British Ecological Society Outreach and engagement grants

Up to £2k for individuals, teams and organisations to engage public audiences with the excitement of ecological science. 

Deadline  08 March 2024 

The Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Fund 

Open for both Small (up to £5,000) and Large (between £5,001 and £10,000) applications to support chemistry-based public and schools engagement activities.

Next Deadlines: 12 February, 8 April, 10 June, 9 September and 11 November

Royal Society, Partnership Grants

The scheme funds schools and colleges up to £3,000 to run investigative STEM projects in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry.

Deadline Currently closed.

Pint of Science call for volunteers.

Pint of Science is an annual festival that happens over three evenings in May simultaneously in multiple cities around the globe. Each night, science researchers explain their latest findings to the general public.  If you’re interested in being part of the 2022 Edinburgh Pint of Science festival, please get in touch by emailing edinburghpos@gmail.com  

Genetics Society Public engagement grants 

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to members of the Genetics Society to cover costs associated with travel and materials for public engagement activities relevant to Genetics.

Deadline 01 March and 01 September 

Paleontological Society Outreach and Education Grant

The Paleontological Society Outreach and Education Grant provides support to our members for programs and activities involving educational out reach and community engagement. Potential fundable projects include, but are not limited to, field trips to fossil sites and/or museums for teachers and pre-college students, educator training and curriculum development, participation in local community initiatives, development of educational materials for classroom use, and website or other online material development.

Deadline 02 March, annually

The Palaeontological Association Engagement Grants

Awards are made to encourage educational outreach, public engagement, and related initiatives in palaeontological themes. Normally, the budget for an individual grant would be less than £5,000 GBP  (or equivalent currency in the applicant’s country at the time the funds are disbursed). However, under exceptional circumstances, a budget of up to £8,000 GBP for an individual application will be considered. Grants can support either stand-alone complete projects, or they can be ‘proof of concept’ case studies that have their own outcomes but that form the groundwork for a larger bid elsewhere. Applications from any country and applicants of any nationality are welcomed.

Deadline 01 September, annually

 Communication and Engagement Grant

The BSI Communication & Engagement grant provides financial support to help BSI members develop and deliver activities to engage with the public in all formats.

The aims of the Communication & Engagement grants are to:

  • Spark interest in and conversation about immunology amongst a wide audience
  • Strengthen the understanding of immunology topics, helping the public make informed decisions about their health
  • Provide opportunities for BSI members to share their passion and knowledge, and build their confidence and skills in engagement
  • Improve trust in science and increase the impact of immunology research, demonstrating the contribution, benefit and influence on society beyond academia

We are committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and thereby encourage applications that target an inclusive and diverse audience including schools, families, adults and patients. Through this scheme we hope to inspire future immunologists and educate the public about careers in science. We welcome applications that provide opportunities to establish new bi-directional partnerships to inform research. We also encourage applications that develop and deliver innovative and original engagement methods.

Deadlines: Recurring each year on 01 February, 01 June, 01 October

ERC, Public engagement with research award

This recognises former European Research Council grantees who have communicated their research to audiences outside of their domains, and demonstrated excellence in public engagement and outreach. Three prizes worth €10,000 each are available.

Deadline TBC

Society of Endrocrinology Public engagement grants

Funding is available for Society members and Society affiliated patient support groups for outreach activities aimed at the public or patients to help to engage more people with endocrinology and its impact. Grants are worth up to £750. Primary Applicants should have been a Society member for at least one year prior to the grant deadline or for 6 months for an Early Career member.

Deadline 22 May and 02 October 2024

Microbiology Society: Education and outreach grants

Supports relevant science teaching or promotion initiatives, or developments likely to lead to an improvement in the teaching of any aspect of microbiology. Awards are worth up to £1,000 each, and may cover costs for teaching materials and equipment worth up to £500, visits of up to £200 and other activities. 

Closing date:  Recurring in April and October each year

Royal Society of Biology Outreach and Engagement Grants

The RSB offers a number of grants to help members of RSB who are looking to run outreach and engagement events

We look to fund a wide range of public engagement and outreach events and activities. We are keen to support people who are experienced in event delivery, people hoping to organise their first event, and everyone in between. Please read our new Outreach and Engagement Quality Control Roadmap for ideas and inspiration.

We have small grants up to £200, grants between £201 - £500 and now a new grant of up to £1,000 available. Our grant scheme is open to members of the Royal Society of Biology who are members as Associate (AMRSB), Member (MRSB) or Fellowship (FRSB). Members applying for a grant will be responsible for the delivery of their activity or event if they are awarded a grant. However members may also wish to collaborate together with additional members or biologists they work with on their activity or event to assist each other in their outreach activity.

Deadline Currently closed but will reopen in 2024.