Public engagement

We want people to consider, question and debate the key issues in science and society, and so each year we offer over £3 million - through our wide-ranging Engaging Science grants programme - to support projects that encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to be informed, inspired and involved.

Whether you work in science, the arts, media or education, we want to hear your ideas for projects that build excitement and interest around science and society. We support projects in many different areas, including film-making, theatre productions, exhibitions, discussion and policy-influencing events and multimedia.

We also directly commission work and develop partnerships with other organisations to reach broader audiences and support innovative practice.

About public engagement

• Examples of our funded work
• Watch our Engaging Science highlights

Our funding schemes

People Awards Fund projects such as events, debates, exhibitions, art projects and drama productions.

Society Awards Support larger-scale projects with a significant national or regional impact.

Arts Awards Support imaginative and experimental arts projects that create new artworks to investigate biomedical science.

Broadcast Development Awards Support the development of broadcast proposals in any genre.

Science Media Studentships Support practising scientists to qualify in science media production for careers in the broadcast industry.

International Engagement Awards Fund public engagement projects in low- and middle-income countries.

Capital funding

For large-scale projects that engage the public with science or make the history of medicine relevant to contemporary audiences.

Our Strategic Awards support ambitious, large-scale initiatives or research programmes that address our five research challenges.

For information about aplying to the Trust, Grand Conditions, eligibility and deadlines, see Application information. Current grantholders should see Managing a grant.

Funding highlight

The Great Sperm Race Part-funded by a Broadcast Development Award and a Large Broadcast Award, 'The Great Sperm Race' documentary charted the journey of conception as it had never been seen before.