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Science and Society Community Challenge Grant Scheme

Archived Age Aged 26 - 59 years Aged 60+ Arts, culture and heritage Black and minority ethnic Children (0-12) Communities Cultural, events and festivals Dependants and carers Education and learning Family and parenting Offenders and ex-offenders People with disabilities Performing arts Victims and survivors Visual arts and media Young people (13-25) Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane Fermanagh and Omagh Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Medium (up to £60,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Overview

Aims

The scheme aims to:

  • Reach audiences of all ages and from all walks of life that are currently under-served by existing activities and inform, inspire and involve them in science
  • Investigate and test new methods of engagement and participation.

Funding available

There will be 3 levels of project funding: up to £10,000, up to £20,000 and up to £40,000, depending on the size and difficulty of the project.

Who is eligible to apply

The scheme is open to a wide range of people, including:

  • Scientists and researchers
  • Facilitators and practitioners of science communication
  • Science centre or museum staff
  • Artists
  • Educators, schools, colleges and universities
  • Film makers
  • Theatre producers
  • Games developers
  • Public participation practitioners
  • Businesses
  • Civil society organisations
  • Community groups, Guides or Scouts, youth clubs
  • Religious institutions

This list is not exhaustive.

Eligible projects

Project activities need to specifically focus on the target audiences, and may include:

  • Events, workshops
  • Debates, discussions and deliberative or opinion-gathering projects
  • Exhibitions and museum outreach
  • Games, websites, films, and multi- or cross-platform projects
  • Theatre projects or other performance work
  • Citizen science projects
  • Creation and use of new materials for community use

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has allocated up to £500,000 to this scheme during the financial year 2014 to 2015, and is expecting to fund between 20 and 25 projects. This will be the only call for this financial year.

Applications must be for projects that will take place in the UK. Grants must be used by 31 March 2015. The maximum award is £40k.