What is Pulse?
Pulse is an initiative to support arts projects. Pulse hopes to engage young people with biomedical science and encourage them to tackle complex, emotive issues. Our key aim is innovation: we want creative organisations to come up with new ways of exploring science and engaging young people. In 2003/04, the first round of Pulse awards funded 23 performing arts projects.

To request a copy of the free booklet and DVD about Pulse 1 email pulse@wellcome.ac.uk with your full postal address.

Background
The Wellcome Trust has been a leading funder of arts in the UK exploring the social and ethical issues raised by advances in biomedical research for several years. It has funded projects for the general public through its Science on Stage and Screen and sciart initiatives, and other projects aimed specifically at young people. These included:

• National theatre-in-education tours by Y Touring Theatre Company of plays dealing with subjects such as depression ('Cracked') and embryo selection ('The Gift').
• Science Centrestage, the Wellcome Trust's contribution to Science Year, encouraged science and drama teachers in schools across the country to work together to create performances exploring biomedical themes for a series of festivals.

What sort of topics can be explored through performing arts work?
There are a wide range of themes related to biomedical science and its wider social impact that can be explored through the arts. New ideas are positively encouraged.

For inspiration view a selection of suggestions for topics.