How can we help you reach your destination?

Our funding equips UCL researchers with the means to put their public engagement ideas into practice.

We have public engagement grants available for various stages of your academic career, and we also provide advice and support on applying for external funding.

Train and Engage

Train and Engage is our funding stream for UCL postgraduate research students. We provide public engagement workshops alongside an opportunity to apply for funding of up to £1000 to run public engagement projects. Funded projects are supported by the UCL Public Engagement Unit with advice, experience and resources to help as you design, develop, deliver and evaluate your project.

For more information see Train and Engage.

Beacon Bursaries

UCL Beacon Bursaries have funded outstanding engagement projects and project teams since 2009. If you have an innovative idea that will help you connect your research or teaching with people outside UCL you could apply for up to £2000 per project. This fund is available to UCL staff and postgraduate research students.

For more information see Beacon Bursaries.

You can find out more about previous Beacon Bursary projects through our case studies.

External Funding

There are a number of external organisations who provide funding for academic public engagement each with very different criteria. We have experience in supporting applications for external funding and encourage you to talk to us about any public engagement funding applications you are developing. We can help you find the right funder for your project and can also offer help and guidance with application forms.

The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement has compiled a list of external public engagement funders, which is a good place to start if you’re looking for money for your project.

Top Tips

We have put our heads together and come up with a handy top tips document on what funders look for in a public engagement application. We hope you find it useful.

Common pitfalls

Since the Public Engagement Unit was founded in 2008 we have had over 1,000 applications to our funding streams. This document outlines some of the most common pitfalls we see in applications and is a reference for anyone applying to our funding schemes.

Our approach

In 2011 we carried out an evaluation of our approach to grant funding. The aim was to synthesise our learning and experience in this area. We have set out the key features of our approach in terms of eight principles for good grant funding. Read Evaluation of public engagement funding mechanisms: The UCL Public Engagement Unit’s approach to grant funding