Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
Funding type:
Grant
Total fund:
£120,000
Award range:
£1,000 - £20,000
Publication date:
13 September 2024
Opening date:
16 September 2024 9:00am UK time
Closing date:
28 November 2024 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to engage the public with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) supported science, people, technology or facilities.
You must work for an organisation that:
* is based in the UK
* produces annual accounts certified by an accountant
Proposals must have clear links to the STFC’s remit and include a subject matter expert in an STFC funded area.
The scheme is not subject to the full economic cost (FEC) process. The cost of your project can be up to £20,000. STFC will fund 100% of the project cost.
Projects are expected to be between 12 and 36 months in duration.
Host institution
Organisations that apply must be based in the UK.
Organisations that apply must produce an annual financial report and accounts that are available on request. These must have been either prepared or submitted by a qualified accountant who is a member of a recognised professional accountancy body, including:
* The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
* Association of International Accountants (AIA)
* Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
* The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
* Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
* Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
If this does not describe your organisation, you must work in partnership with an organisation that can receive the funding on your behalf.
Applicant eligibility
Almost anyone can apply for a Spark award, including:
* grant funded researchers
* STFC scientists, technicians and engineers
* STFC facility users
* schools
* museums
* science communicators
* universities & colleges
* community interest companies
* libraries
* community groups
* amateur astronomy groups
The project lead must be eligible to apply on behalf of the organisation that would hold the award.
Every application must include a subject matter expert (SME) in an STFC funded area of science or technology. While these SMEs often play an active role in delivering the engagement activities, this is not mandatory. They may act as an adviser on the scientific content. The SME can be any one of these core team roles holders:
* project lead (PL)
* project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
* specialist
If you have any questions about applicant eligibility, please contact the public engagement team: and we will advise on how you may proceed.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service.
For full details, visit .
Who is not eligible to apply
Organisations based outside of the UK are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
* career breaks
* support for people with caring responsibilities
* flexible working
* alternative working patterns