BU Research Blog

We are pleased to announce that BU’s new seed funding scheme for public engagement with research is now open for applications

What’s it for?

We want to provide small amounts of funding (up to £500) to help researchers develop and incorporate meaningful, two-way engagement with beneficiaries and research users. The aim is to help support a more engaged research culture across BU and accelerate the impact arising from research.

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to researchers at all career stages, whether or not they have previous public engagement experience.

What are we looking for?

We would like to fund engagement activity that addresses any/all of the following:

• reaches a new audience or community, or
• tests a pilot activity to evaluate what works, with the aim of developing impact from existing research or securing further external funding, or
• develops your own engagement skills and understanding of the value of public engagement with research.

Application process

1. Attend a Seed Fund Surgery session: Weds 28 February, 12-12:30 or Weds 6 March 12-12:30 via Teams (optional)
2. Read the Guidance for Applicants
3. Complete the online application form.

The reviewing panel will assess applications on a rolling basis and aims to respond within one week.

Support & information

The relevant staff in the Research Excellence Team will provide support to deliver activities, and funds will be managed by the PI’s faculty finance and resources team. All activity and spend will need to be completed before 31 July 2024.

(Please note that this funding will not be awarded for attending conferences or networking events where the engagement with stakeholders is speculative.)

You may also be interested in the following training sessions, as you will need to demonstrate evaluation planning in the application form:

• Monday 18 March, 13:00-16:00: Evaluating Public Engagement
• Tuesday 19 March, 09:00-12:00: Advanced Evaluation of Public Engagement

For all queries, please contact publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.