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

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

People/Society Awards Support projects that enable the public to explore biomedical science, its impact on society and culture, its historical roots and the ethical questions that it raises.

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

Engagement Fellowships Support the most talented people in public engagement with biomedical science.

Capital funding

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

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

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

Funded projects

Featured project ER Surgery Workshop Funded by a People Award, the ER Surgery Workshop was an event at the Edinburgh International Science Festival that allowed children to investigate and 'operate' on a range of diseased or injured manikin 'patients'.

See all funded projects