Engaging science

8 January 2003

Engaging Science, the Wellcome Trust's new £3 million public engagement with science grants programme, was officially launched at the BA's national festival of science at Leicester in September.

Two forms of support are now available. 'People Awards', of up to £30 000, will provide a fast, responsive mechanism for funding public engagement activities - such as workshops in schools and science centres, talks and discussions in public spaces, or drama and art projects. The awards are aimed at both academics (biomedical scientists, historians, social scientists or ethicists) and mediators (science centre staff, science communicators, educators, artists, health professionals and so on).

In the second strand of funding, 'Society Awards' are available to support research or direct public activities in specified areas. Projects funded through Society Awards should aim to make a significant impact on public engagement with science research and practice. Awards will generally be in excess of £50 000 and support research projects or significant activities of, ideally, nationwide importance. The initial themes will be the arts, young people's education and 'broadening access'.

These strands will complement existing funding schemes for public engagement projects in the history of medicine and for performing arts projects aimed at young people.