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Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation

Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026B

STFC's Spark awards fund public engagement projects that bring STFC-funded science, technology and research (for example astronomy, particle physics and STFC national facilities) to UK audiences. STFC pays 100% of a project's full economic cost up to £20,000, for projects lasting 12 to 36 months that start between 1 June and 1 September 2027. Almost any UK-based organisation can apply, including museums, libraries, community groups, CICs and amateur astronomy groups, but every bid must include a subject matter expert in an STFC-funded remit area. Projects with a strong focus on STFC's 'Wonder' audience (people in the 40% most deprived areas of the UK, especially 8 to 14-year-olds and their families) are prioritised.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£5,000 – £20,000
Deadline
53 days left
10 December
Effort
Heavy
budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

  • Almost anyone can apply, but the host organisation must be based in the UK and must produce an annual financial report and accounts, available on request, prepared or submitted by a qualified accountant who belongs to a recognised professional body (ACCA, AIA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAS or Chartered Accountants Ireland)
  • If your organisation does not meet this, you must partner with an organisation that can receive the funding on your behalf
  • Examples of eligible applicants: STFC-funded researchers, STFC staff scientists, technicians and engineers, STFC facility users, museums, science communicators, universities and colleges, community interest companies, libraries, community groups and amateur astronomy groups
  • Every application must include a subject matter expert (SME) in an STFC-funded remit area, as project lead, project co-lead or specialist
  • Organisations based outside the UK cannot apply
  • The project lead must be eligible to apply on behalf of the organisation that would hold the award

What it funds

  • Public engagement projects with strong and evidenced links to the STFC funded remit that align to the STFC Public Engagement Strategy
  • Projects should do four or more of the following:
  • Deliver high-quality public engagement activities with strong links to STFC remit funded science, technology and research
  • Introduce STFC remit science, technology and research to new audiences
  • Work specifically with the STFC's target Wonder audience
  • Co-produce resources and activities with intended audiences
  • Highlight the achievements of STFC funded science, technology and research
  • Demonstrate the value of STEM in the UK, focusing on STFC's funded remit
  • Work with the STFC public engagement and communication teams
  • Help to deliver the aims of the STFC Public Engagement Strategy
  • Highlight STFC funded science at STFC national facilities through partnerships with national facilities staff

What it will not fund

  • Projects without strong, evidenced links to the STFC funded remit
  • Projects whose target audiences are not primarily within the UK
  • Fees or honoraria for people already in paid employment to give talks or visits that are part of their normal duties
  • Equipment costs
  • Infrastructure funding or building construction and maintenance
  • Costs of attending international conferences
  • Projects that would go ahead irrespective of STFC support
  • Retrospective funding, including projects starting after the closing date but before decisions are announced
  • Contingency funds
  • Applications solely for writing and publishing books and novels
  • Projects starting earlier than 1 June 2027
  • For schools: programmes of formal education
  • For schools: programmes with no benefit beyond the applicant school
  • For schools: trips to CERN or other laboratories, observatories and science venues unless intrinsic to a wider public engagement project
  • Uninvited resubmissions of projects already submitted to UKRI

How to apply

  1. Check your organisation is registered on the UKRI Funding Service (applications cannot be made on Je-S)
  2. Select 'Start application' on the UKRI Funding finder page, confirm you are the project lead, and sign in or create a Funding Service account
  3. Answer the application questions in the online text boxes (summary, vision, approach, team capability, resources and cost justification, project partners, host organisation support, evaluation plan, dissemination plan, target audience, link to STFC science, ethics and safeguarding, Wonder initiative, STFC programme area) and upload any required documents
  4. Send the completed application to your organisation's research office (or equivalent) for checking; they submit it to UKRI
  5. STFC must receive the application by 4pm UK time on 10 December 2026
  6. STFC office sift, then an expert panel ranks applications; STFC makes the final decision

put all requested costs under the individual 'Exceptions' fund headings, as the Funding Service does not capture non-FEC cost headings

for eligibility questions email stfcpublicengagement@stfc.ac.uk; for technical help with the Funding Service email support@funding-service.ukri.org or call 01793 547490

Have ready

  • A single PDF giving evidence of audience demand (or a reason for not providing one)
  • A single PDF of letters or emails of support from each project partner named in the application (if any)
  • A supporting statement written by the head of department (or equivalent) of the host organisation, pasted into the application text box (not uploaded)

the organisation's annual accounts, prepared or submitted by a qualified accountant, must be available on request

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