Presenter: Imogen Thompson, Institute of Physics
Theme: Planning for the long term
Reporter: Vicky Mason
One sentence summary: A whistlestop tour of the current funding landscape and a unique insight into how to write a successful grant application.
Description
This engaging skills-building workshop started with a rapid overview of the current funding landscape, showcasing a variety of outreach and engagement grants available to those working in the physical sciences. (A list of these opportunities can be found below).
Following this, the workshop focused on the Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grant Scheme (PEGS), which supports the Institute of Physics (IOP) Limit Less campaign. This campaign aims to enhance young people’s relationship with physics, along with their influencers, including parents and carers.
A brief introduction to Limit Less highlighted why PEGS has a strong emphasis on projects that work with families with young people from underrepresented groups in physics. The campaign aims to support young people in realising their potential through the study of physics. It focuses on breaking down barriers and misconceptions that prevent diverse groups from pursuing the subject whilst addressing issues such as stereotypes, prejudice, and lack of representation, which often discourage young people from studying it. Limit Less is not really about encouraging students directly but about influencing the opinions of those who guide them, such as parents, teachers, and the media (including social media). By promoting a more inclusive and accurate understanding of physics to those that young people trust and listen to, the IOP hopes to inspire more young people to engage with the subject and use it to tackle global challenges.
With this context, workshop participants were provided with the essential criteria for the public engagement fund projects and asked to assess three different applications against them. This process was extremely useful, resulting in the following key takeaways for crafting successful grant applications.
Key messages
- Outline the project clearly and succinctly.
- Emphasise the links between your project and the essential criteria of the grant.
- Be specific (about methodology; audience).
- Try to demonstrate previous experience, giving confidence of your ability to complete the project.
- Include a robust evaluation methodology which has been costed properly.
- Where possible include risk mitigation.
Resources
Institute of Physics Public Engagement grant scheme – £4k, currently closed
Ogden Physics Education grants – up to £5k, deadline 8 December
Science and Technology Facilities Council Public Engagement Spark Awards
– between £1k and £20k, deadline 28 November
Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach fund – Small grants (up to £5k) and large grants (between £5k and £10k), deadline 11 November
Royal Society Partnership grants – up to £3k (with a school leading), deadline 29 November
British Science Association British Science Week Grants – £500-£1,000, for events taking place in British Science Week 2025, deadline 5 November
Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious public engagement grants scheme
– between £3k and £30K, currently closed
Symposium Partners
