The British Academy is pleased to offer this funding scheme to support ambitious projects to engage the public with the humanities and social sciences.
These awards, up to £8,000, offer an exciting opportunity for humanities and social sciences researchers to push boundaries and seek imaginative new ways to engage with the public. We are looking for researchers from across the UK to deliver innovative public engagement projects working in partnership with a gallery, archive, library or museum (GLAM organisation) or a performing arts organisation
About the scheme
This programme offers the opportunity to think outside the box, test a new approach and be ambitious in your approach to engaging a public audience with your research.
As part of the programme, a ‘community of practice’ workshop will be hosted for successful applicants in mid to late January. Alongside sessions on evaluation and working with your audiences, award holders will have the opportunity to share their plans with other workshop attendees. You will act as critical friends and sounding boards, sharing ideas, giving feedback and troubleshooting possible challenges, and forming a network of support through the duration of the project development and delivery.
Why should you apply?
The programme will:
- Act as a catalyst to get a project or idea up and running.
- Be an opportunity to try a new approach or work with a new audience to gain new perspectives on your research.
- Offer the chance to build a new partnership with the cultural or performing arts sector or try a new idea with an existing collaborator. The chance to work with a partner who truly adds value and makes a meaningful contribution to your project through their expertise, connections, skills or collections.
- Allow you to make contacts and find networking opportunities with others in the research community who are interested in exploring new and innovative approaches to public engagement.
About you
We are searching for creative academics who want to experiment with their engagement work and find new ways to share their research with a public audience.
The call is open to any researcher based in the UK who meets the conditions of the call. You do not have to have received funding from the British Academy previously. Successful award recipients are expected to have some prior public engagement experience, but we welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, expertise and career stages. Previous successful recipients of this award are not eligible to reapply.
Level of award
Up to £8,000.
Please note that the funding provided through this scheme cannot be used to cover the cost of replacement teaching, payment in lieu of salary or computer equipment or hardware. The scheme is not covered within the FEC regime – the £8,000 awards are available to the award holder only for direct expenses to deliver the public engagement project. For full details of eligible costs, please see the scheme guidance notes and terms and conditions.
Scheme guidance
Please read through our scheme guidance notes and application guidance notes carefully before submitting an application.
Terms and conditions
Please refer to our FAQs page for answers to the most frequently asked questions about the scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Please read our terms and conditions document.
Webinar series
On 29 June, we will host a webinar for the wider public, designed to introduce the SHAPE Involve and Engage 2027–28 call, outline the application process, and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
Register for the 29 June webinar (6–8pm) here
Contact Details
If you have any questions about the application process or need the application offered in an accessible format, please contact the Events Team:
Email: shapeawards@thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7969 5340
For technical questions about Flexi-Grant, you can also contact: grants@thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Visit funding web page
(https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/shape-involve-and-engage/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=small-research-grants_funding&utm_content=cta)
