Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026B (Grant)

Key facts

About this grant

Summary from the official listing on Find a Grant (GOV.UK):

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.

Eligibility

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 fundin

Details are copied from the official source and can change. Check the official listing before you apply. Grant Writing Company is not affiliated with this funder.