Aims/priorities: The theme for British Science Week 2027 is Creativity! and the funding is for communities to get creative, by exploring how research (with a link to science) can improve the lives of community members in the places they live.
This year there are two separate grants, and groups may only apply to one of the following:
- Pilot Grants are for community organisations and groups to use research to test small scale pilot projects exploring how research can make a difference to local communities. This could be to explore an idea, investigate a question, test a new approach or build relationships with researchers that could lead to future collaboration. Pilot Grants are intended to support learning, experimentation and community leadership.
- Incubator Grants are for projects that are co-designed between community organisations and researchers to explore how research can make a difference to local communities. Incubator Grants could also be used to explore an idea, investigate a question, test a new approach or build on existing relationships with researchers that could lead to future collaboration, and they are intended to support learning, experimentation and community leadership.
Who can apply? Applications can be submitted by charities, community interest companies (CICs), constituted community groups, unincorporated associations, faith organisations and other community-led organisations that work with one or more of the following underrepresented communities:
- People from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- People living in communities which face deprivation, including people disadvantaged in terms of education and income.
- People with a disability or long-term health condition.
- People living in remote and rural communities.
- Girls and women
For Incubator Grants, consideration will also be given to applications from 'broker organisations' such as festivals, who can broker and facilitate relationships between communities and researchers. Applicants for these grants must have a named researcher involved in the project and demonstrate how the project has been developed collaboratively.
Although groups of all sizes may apply, there is particular interest in smaller grassroots organisations that have strong relationships with the communities they serve. Priority will be given to applications from these groups.
Grant amount: A total of £250,000 is available this year with two different grants provided:
- Pilot Grants of £2,500
- Incubator Grants of between £5,000 and £8,000.
Application process: This year's guidance notes and the online application forms are available on the British Science Week website.
Contact the British Science Association for further information.
Deadline: Wednesday, 4 November 2026 (17:00).
Contact information: Contact us - British Science Week