Royal Academy of Engineering: Ingenious public engagement grants scheme

Overview

Ingenious is supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Ingenious has funded over 330 projects across the UK, providing opportunities for over 10,000 engineers to take part in public engagement activities and to gain skills in communication and engagement, reaching over 4 million members of the public.

Programme aims

The Ingenious programme aims to:

• Support imaginative and creative public engagement, raising awareness of the diversity, nature and impact of engineering
• Broaden perceptions of engineering, targeting public audiences currently underrepresented in engineering
• Build capacity for engineering public engagement by offering engineers training and opportunities in public engagement

They welcome proposals from anyone interested in engineering public engagement, including but not limited to: engineers, universities, colleges and schools, youth charities, science and engineering communicators and engagement professionals as well as those working in the arts and cultural sectors. 

There are many great STEM programmes across the UK and they are looking to fund projects that use novel and creative public engagement methods to engage with audiences currently underrepresented in engineering.

Ingenious is a grant scheme for projects about engineering, not science. Engineering content should be explicit in your application and well as in intended project activities. If you are unsure whether your project can be classified as engineering please contact the Programme Manager.

Beneficiary Audiences

Ingenious supports engagement with the public in the widest sense. This can include activities offered considered to be outreach or widening participation initiatives. 

For the purposes of Ingenious, by public they are referring to groups who are not already studying, working or have previously worked in engineering. Projects may target audiences that include students, adults, families or policy makers.  This could be in formal educational settings such as schools or informal settings such as museums, libraries, community centres and groups and with organisations such as Girl Guides and STEM clubs. 

Projects proposing to work with schools should provide evidence as to why additional support for schools is needed and that there is not already adequate provision for STEM engagement in the area.

They are interested in projects that reach diverse and underrepresented audiences including communities in the top 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and that engage with engineers and publics of different genders, ages and ethnic backgrounds.

This includes, women and girls, Black Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and people experiencing economic and social disadvantage e.g. living in areas with high indices of multiple deprivation, people with a disability or long-term illness and pupils receiving the Pupil Premium or equivalent.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be UK residents. 
• Applicants must be over 18 years of age. 
• All projects must involve engineers in the development or delivery of projects and provide them with training, enabling them to gain skills, knowledge and experience in public engagement.
• The engineers involved in the project must be based in and studying or employed in the UK. They must be graduate level or equivalent and above (including those at senior level) and can be from academia, industry or the public sector. Engineers may also be apprentices and technicians. Applications that only engage undergraduate or apprentice engineers are ineligible for Ingenious.
• Activities developed under the Ingenious programme should be free to access

Previous Ingenious awardees are welcome to submit applications for new projects, but recent awardees may also wish to consider the newly introduced Follow on Fund Scheme. 

They welcome proposals from engineers, universities, colleges and schools, youth charities, science and engineering communicators and engagement professionals as well as those working in the arts and cultural sectors who wish to collaborate with engineers. 

Please note that only the Lead applicant will be able to access and edit the application. 

Individuals cannot submit an application for Ingenious, however they are encouraged to partner with an organisation that can act as the host organisation and are able to sign up to the award conditions.

Sole traders are welcome to apply for Ingenious, but should ensure they are able to sign up to the Ingenious grant terms and conditions before submitting an application.

Funding Level & Notes

Grants of between £3,000 and £30,000 are available.

Funds are normally paid in three installments, at the beginning, middle and end of the project. 

• Ingenious funds a variety of projects, ranging from after-school workshops to collaborations between artists and engineers to engage adults.
• All projects should engage the public with engineering, with any activities available free of charge,  while giving engineers training and opportunities in public engagement.
• Costs can include salary and consultancy costs for the project delivery team, materials and equipment,  travel and subsistence for project team, engineers and audience participants.
  • Funding should not be used to subsidise organisational staffing costs, but if salary costs are needed to proceed with the project, the appropriate proportion of costs can be
    claimed. 
  • Ingenious funding can also be used to cover the costs of staff needed to replace those who are taking part in project activities.
• Please note these awards are not calculated on the basis of full economic costing.
• The Ingenious programme is not intended to act as a sponsor for existing programmes or their expansion.