Funding to support ambitious projects that engage the public with the humanities and social sciences through partnership with a gallery, archive, library or museum (GLAM organisation) or a performing arts organisation.
This opportunity will:
- act as a catalyst to get a project or idea up and running
- be an opportunity to try a new approach or work with a new audience to gain new perspectives on your research
- offer the chance to build a new partnership with the cultural or performing arts sector or try a new idea with an existing collaborator (the chance to work with a partner who truly adds value and makes a meaningful contribution to your project through their expertise, connections, skills or collections)
- allow you to make contacts and find networking opportunities with others in the research community who are interested in exploring new and innovative approaches to public engagement
ELIGIBLITY
The call is open to any researcher based in the UK who meets the conditions of the call. You do not have to have received funding from the British Academy previously. Successful award recipients are expected to have some prior public engagement experience, but applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, expertise and career stages are welcome.
Previous successful recipients of this award are not eligible to reapply.
VALUE
These awards are worth up to £8000.
Please note that the funding provided through this scheme cannot be used to cover the cost of replacement teaching, payment in lieu of salary, or computer equipment or hardware. The scheme is not covered within the FEC regime – the £8,000 awards are available to the award holder only for direct expenses to deliver the public engagement project.
KEY DATES
Webinar: 29 June 2026
Deadline: 15 September 2026
‘Community of practice’ workshop for successful applicants: mid-late January 2027
Earliest start date: 1 April 2027
Latest end date: 31 December 2028
More information, including details of past awards, can be found on the opportunity webpage.
FAQs for this scheme are also available.