Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026B
Funding
£5,000 – £20,000
Deadline
10 December 2026
Location
England
Applications
Deadline: 10 December 2026
Overview
The Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026B are run by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation. They fund projects that engage the public with science, technology and research supported by STFC. The round opened on 8 October 2026 and closes on 10 December 2026 at 4:00pm. The full economic cost of your project can be up to £20,000, and STFC will fund 100% of it. Projects must last between 12 and 36 months. They must start between 1 June 2027 and 1 September 2027. Almost anyone can apply, as long as the host organisation is based in the UK and produces annual accounts certified by an accountant. Examples include museums, science communicators, universities and colleges, community interest companies, libraries, community groups and amateur astronomy groups. Every application must include a subject matter expert in an STFC funded remit area. STFC wants projects that do four or more of its listed aims. These include reaching new audiences, co-producing activities with the people you want to reach, and highlighting STFC funded science. Novel approaches are encouraged, but established methods are welcome too. One practical point: the award does not cover equipment, contingency funds, retrospective costs or projects that would go ahead without STFC support. STFC aims to complete its assessment within five months of receiving your application. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/public-engagement-spark-awards-2026b-grant-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Also open to: community groups
Key requirements:
- Host organisation must be UK-based
- Annual accounts must be certified by a qualified accountant
- Every application must include a subject matter expert in an STFC funded remit area
- Projects must last 12 to 36 months
- Projects must start between 1 June 2027 and 1 September 2027
- STFC funds 100% of the full economic cost, up to £20,000
- Equipment, contingency and retrospective costs are not funded
Almost anyone can apply, but the host organisation must be based in the UK. It must produce annual accounts that a qualified accountant from a recognised professional body has prepared or submitted. If that does not describe you, you can partner with an organisation that can receive the funding for you. Every application must include a subject matter expert in an STFC funded remit area. Organisations based outside the UK cannot apply. Uninvited resubmissions of projects already sent to UKRI are not accepted.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
UK-based organisations such as museums, universities, libraries, community groups and science communicators that want to run public engagement projects linked to STFC supported science.
Regions
Full details from UK Research and Innovation, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Apply for funding to engage the public with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) supported science. Applicant organisations must: • be UK-based • produce annual accounts certified by an accountant Proposals must include an appropriate STFC subject matter expert (SME).
Apply online through the UKRI Funding Service using the link on the funder's page. Your application is checked by the STFC Public Engagement team, then assessed by an expert panel. For questions about this opportunity, email stfcpublicengagement@stfc.ac.uk.
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Create free accountLast updated: 16 October 2026