People Awards
Purpose
People Awards enable you to explore the impact of biomedical science on society, its historical roots, effects on different cultures, or the ethical questions that it brings, by supporting activities such as events, debates, exhibitions, art projects and drama productions related to biomedical science.
We aim to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to consider, question and debate the key issues of now and the future. We want people to be informed, inspired and involved.
People Awards support projects that aim to achieve at least one of the following:
- stimulate interest, excitement and debate about biomedical science through various methods
- support formal and informal learning about biomedical science
- reach new audiences not normally engaged with biomedical science, as well as continuing to target existing audiences
- examine the social, cultural, historical and ethical impact of biomedical science
- encourage new ways of thinking about biomedical science
- encourage high quality interdisciplinary practice and collaborative partnerships
- investigate and test new methods of engagement, participation and education.
What's included
Applicants can apply for up to £30 000, for projects lasting a maximum of three years.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to a wide range of people, including mediators and practitioners of science communication; science centre/museum staff; artists; educators; health professionals; and academics in bioscience, social science, bioethics and history.
Applicants must be based in the UK or the Republic of Ireland and the activity must take place in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
Applicants are encouraged to apply through an organisation rather than as individuals. If this is not possible, individuals can apply but they must demonstrate a strong track record in the area of their application.
Applications will also be accepted from commercial companies who would not otherwise be able to undertake the proposed work and where outputs would not be considered for commercial funding.
Organisations might include: museums and other cultural attractions; arts agencies; production companies; broadcast media; schools; local education authorities; universities and colleges; youth clubs; community groups; research institutes; the NHS; and science centres.
Partnership projects (between different people and organisations, e.g. scientists and ethicists, educators and artists) are welcomed.
If this is the first time an organisation is applying to the Wellcome Trust an eligibility assessment will be carried out. For this assessment, the following documentation from the applying organisation should be submitted:
- articles of association
- audited accounts from the previous year
- details of similar projects/grant funding received
- confirmation that no funding has been received or is scheduled to be received from any tobacco company.
Standard health education and promotion projects, or projects dealing purely with non-biomedical sciences, are not eligible.
Application process
You should complete and submit an application form [Word 852KB] by the published deadline.
Please refer to the application guidelines [PDF 73KB], Grant Conditions and evaluation guidelines [Word 134KB] before completing this form.
Completed forms should be sent to our postal address, marked for the attention of People Awards.
All eligible projects will be peer reviewed and assessed individually on merit and need by a Funding Committee.
Application advice
Projects are expected to have some biomedical scientific input either through a scientist taking on an advisory role or through direct collaboration. Applicants are encouraged to investigate new methods of interdisciplinary working as well as new models of engagement in biomedical science. We also welcome applications focusing on issues surrounding international biomedical science and health.
Please note, however, that standard health education and promotion projects, or projects dealing purely with non-biomedical sciences, are not eligible.
Your proposed project must aim to achieve at least one of the following:
- stimulate interest, excitement and debate about biomedical science through various methods
- support formal and informal learning about biomedical science
- reach new audiences not normally engaged with biomedical science, as well as continuing to target existing audiences
- examine the social, cultural, historical and ethical impact of biomedical science
- encourage new ways of thinking about biomedical science
- encourage high quality interdisciplinary practice and collaborative partnerships
- investigate and test new methods of engagement, participation and education.
Projects could include:
- workshops, events, debates, discussions and exhibitions in public venues
- deliberative or opinion gathering projects
- teaching materials or techniques to encourage wider discussions
- projects that utilise the collections of the Wellcome Library and the Wellcome collection at the Science Museum.
See the recently funded People Awards.
If your proposed project has an artistic dimension, please also refer to our Arts Awards.
If you would like advice on the eligibility of your project or how to apply, please contact the People Awards office well in advance of the deadline.
Deadlines
Upcoming deadlines for the People Awards are:
- 29 January 2010
- 30 April 2010
- 30 July 2010
- 29 October 2010
Decisions will be made approximately three months after the relevant deadline.
Contacts
People Awards
Wellcome Trust
Gibbs Building
215 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE, UK
T +44 (0)20 7611 8801
F +44 (0)20 7611 8269
E
people@wellcome.ac.uk