Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026B (Grant)

Apply for funding to engage the public with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) supported science. You must work for an organisation that: • is based in the UK • produces annual accounts that are certified by an accountant It is essential that proposals evidence clear links to the STFC funded remit and include a subject matter expert (SME) in an STFC funded remit area. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £20,000. STFC will fund 100% of the FEC. Projects must be between 12 months and 36 months in duration. Projects must start between 1 June and 1 September 2027. Demand management Demand management is not being applied to this funding opportunity. Aim We are looking to support projects that do four or more of the following: • deliver high-quality public engagement activities with strong links to STFC remit funded science, technology and research • introduce STFC remit science, technology and research to new audiences • work specifically with the STFC’s target Wonder audience • co-produce resources and activities with intended audiences • highlight the achievements of STFC funded science, technology and research • demonstrate the value of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in the UK, focusing on STFC’s funded remit • work with the STFC public engagement and communication teams • help to deliver the aims of the STFC Public Engagement Strategy • highlight the STFC funded science activities undertaken at STFC national facilities through partnerships with STFC national facilities staff Spark awards encourage ‘novel approaches’ to engagement and audience. However, applications that use established engagement methods are welcomed. Scope STFC Spark grant holders undertake high-quality programmes of public engagement that inspire and involve target audiences with stories of science, technology and facilities funded by STFC. For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the Additional information section. Duration The duration of this award is a minimum of a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 36 months. Projects must start between 1 June and 1 September 2027. Funding available The FEC of your project can be up to £20,000. STFC will fund 100% of the FEC. This funding opportunity is outside of the FEC framework. However, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service does not currently capture non-FEC cost headings. Therefore, for this funding opportunity, please put all requested costs under the individual ‘Exceptions’ fund headings. What we will fund We will fund projects that: • have strong and evidenced links to the STFC funded remit • align to the STFC Public Engagement Strategy What we will not fund The following costs are ineligible for support through Spark awards: • projects that do not have strong, evidenced links to the STFC funded remit • projects where the target audiences are not primarily within the UK, clearly evidenced and defined by type, both in numbers and as a percentage of the total reached • fees or honoraria to people already in paid employment to visit or give talks at schools, societies and so on where such activities would reasonably be undertaken as part of their normal duties • costs for equipment • infrastructure funding or costs for building construction and maintenance • any costs or fees associated with attending international conferences • projects where it is clear that they would go ahead irrespective of STFC support • retrospective funding, including those projects with a start date after the closing date but before the funding decisions are announced • contingency funds • applications for the sole purpose of authorship and publication of books and novels • applications with a start date earlier than 1 June 2027 For applicants from or for schools, note the following ineligible costs: • programmes of formal education • programmes that do not provide benefits beyond the applicant school • school trips to CERN and trips to other laboratories, observatories and science venues unless they are intrinsic to a wider public engagement project Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a long-standing and continuing commitment to supporting and enabling safe and effective collaboration in research and innovation. UKRI is equally committed to ensuring that this takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Our Principles and expectations set out the principles that UKRI applies to TR&I and our general expectations of the research organisations (including businesses, research institutes, and research technical organisations) that we support. Organisations supported by UKRI should be able to provide evidence that their internal controls and processes meet these expectations. See further guidance and information about TR&I , including where applicants can find additional support.

This opportunity is open to organisations with standard and non-standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible . Who is eligible to apply Almost anyone can apply for a Spark award, but your host institution must be based in the UK. Organisations that apply must produce an annual financial report and accounts that are available on request. These must have been either prepared or submitted by a qualified accountant who is a member of a recognised professional accountancy body, including: • The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) • Association of International Accountants (AIA) • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) • The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) • Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) If this does not describe your organisation, you must work in partnership with an organisation that can receive the funding on your behalf. The following are examples of who could be eligible to apply if meeting the previous criteria: • STFC grant funded researchers • scientists, technicians and engineers employed by STFC • STFC facility users working in STFC funded remit areas • museums • science communicators • universities and colleges • community interest companies • libraries • community groups • amateur astronomy groups The project lead must be eligible to apply on behalf of the organisation that would hold the award. It is mandatory for every application to include an SME in an STFC funded remit area. While these SMEs may play an active role in delivering the engagement activities, this is not compulsory. The SME will ensure that the scientific content is accurate and has strong connection to the STFC’s science remit. The SME can be any one of these core team roles holders: • project lead (PL) • project co-lead (UK) (PcL) • specialist If you have any questions about applicant eligibility, email the public engagement team at stfcpublicengagement@stfc.ac.uk and we will advise on how you may proceed. Who is not eligible to apply Organisations based outside of the UK are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Resubmissions We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI. Find out more about UKRI’s resubmission policy . Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: • career breaks • support for people with caring responsibilities • flexible working • alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

Click here to start your application on the UKRI Funding Service https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP1440/apply/1477