GrantRadar

British Science Association (funded by UKRI)

British Science Week 2027 Community Grants

UKRI-funded grants from the British Science Association for UK community groups working with communities underrepresented in science and research, to explore how research linked to science can improve lives locally (2027 theme: Creativity). There are two strands and each group can apply for only one: Pilot Grants of a fixed £2,500 (researcher involvement encouraged but optional) and Incubator Grants of £5,000-£8,000 for projects co-designed with a named researcher. Smaller grassroots groups are prioritised. Applications close 5pm on 4 November 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£2,500 – £8,000
Closes in
17 days left
4 November
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • UK-based community groups and organisations that work directly with one or more communities underrepresented in STEM, research and innovation: people from ethnic minority backgrounds; people in communities facing deprivation (including educational and income disadvantage); disabled people or people with long-term health conditions; people in remote and rural settlements of fewer than 10,000 people; girls and women (groups working with girls and women are prioritised if they also work with at least one other of these groups)
  • Community groups, registered charities, CICs, constituted groups, unincorporated community associations, faith organisations and other community-led organisations can apply; organisations of any size, but smaller grassroots groups are prioritised
  • For Incubator Grants only, 'broker organisations' such as festivals may apply, and a named researcher must be involved
  • Schools cannot apply
  • One application per organisation (Pilot or Incubator, not both)
  • Funding is spread across the four UK nations and the underrepresented groups

What it funds

Community-led projects with a clear connection to science (broadly: STEM, social sciences, health, environment, and arts/humanities research with a meaningful science link) that explore issues that matter to the community:

  • Community investigations and conversations
  • Citizen science
  • Surveys and focus groups
  • Community researcher training
  • Co-produced research
  • Events bringing communities and researchers together
  • Testing new approaches and using findings for local action

Pilot Grants (£2,500, fixed) support small-scale learning, experimentation and relationship-building; Incubator Grants (£5,000-£8,000) support larger projects co-designed with a named researcher, for groups already with some research experience, and include three Community of Practice meetings (costs covered by an uplift).

Eligible costs include materials, venue hire, accessibility, volunteer expenses, travel, publicity, speakers and facilitators, project-specific staff costs and proportionate overheads, researcher fees, events and evaluation.

Delivery is encouraged around British Science Week (5-14 March 2027) and must finish by 27 February 2028.

What it will not fund

  • Activities that have already taken place
  • Retrospective costs
  • Ongoing organisational overheads already covered by other income
  • Costs already funded through another grant
  • Activities that do not primarily benefit eligible communities
  • Schools applying in their own right
  • Incubator projects offering only a one-off intervention with a researcher (e.g. a single visit with no follow-up)

How to apply

  1. Read the Community Grant guidance and FAQs and decide whether a Pilot or Incubator Grant suits your group (you can only apply for one)
  2. Optionally contact the Community Engagement Team to discuss your idea or eligibility
  3. Complete the relevant online form (Pilot or Incubator), answering four free-text questions: organisation description, project description, project objectives, and budget outline equal to the amount requested
  4. Enter bank account details accurately and read the Terms and Conditions on the final page of the form
  5. Submit before 5pm on 4 November 2026

Outcomes are notified by 14 December 2026 and funding is aimed to be paid by 14 January 2027, subject to due diligence.

Pilot recipients give a short end-of-project reflection, simple budget report and learning summary; Incubator recipients give an end-of-project report, budget report and reflections.

Have ready

Note: No attachments are listed; the application is four free-text answers plus contact and bank details.

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