New funding call: Public Engagement with Research catalysts

Research Councils UK (RCUK) today (12 September) announce a new funding call for embedding public engagement with research in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This new funding opportunity follows on from the success of the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative which is due to end in December 2011.

RCUK recognise that as the Beacons initiative comes to an end further support to embed public engagement in the higher education sector is required. This new funding is intended to act as a catalyst for culture change within HEIs to help them embed public engagement with research within their policies, procedures and practices. This will encourage and support researchers to engage with the public.

Funding of up to £300,000 will be provided over a three year period. The deadline for submitting applications is 17 November 2011 and successful bidders will be notified by 31 March 2012.

RCUK is committed to engaging the public with research and support a range of opportunities and funding schemes to support researchers and HEIs. This new funding will compliment support given to researchers by individual Research Councils as well as the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research.

More details about the call, eligibility and application instructions are available here.

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes to editors

1. Details of the call for proposals for Public Engagement with Research: Catalysts can be found here. Once awarded funding, projects are expected to start after 1 April 2012 and end by 31 March 2015. Applications are invited from HEIs awarded over £15 million (at least £8 million in any one year) in funding from the Research Councils between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2011.

2. The Beacons for Public Engagement initiative was a partnership between RCUK, the UK Funding Councils and the Wellcome Trust established in 2008. Six Beacons were established around the UK to pilot new methods to embed public engagement with research within their organisations alongside the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). Successes of the Beacons initiative included building capacity through networks, professional development, partnership working and resource creation, recognising public engagement through awards, embedding within strategic goals, planning cycles, recruitment and promotion criteria and the inclusion of public engagement in the responsibilities of senior managers.

3. The Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research was launched in December 2010 and aims to create a greater focus on and help embed public engagement with research across all disciplines in the higher education and research sectors. A copy of the Concordat can be found here

4. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).