Community Grants 2027 application opens now.
The British Science Association is excited to launch our British Science Week 2027 Community Grants Scheme, funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), supporting community-led projects that explore issues that matter to communities underrepresented in science and research across the UK.
This is part of a wider six-year programme to engage the public with research and innovation across the UK. Funded by UKRI and delivered by the British Science Association, this new initiative will celebrate the full breadth of UK research and innovation – from science and technology, to the arts, humanities and social sciences – and the contribution it makes to improving lives and livelihoods. During the first year, some activity for this new programme (including the community grants) will be delivered through the established annual British Science Week campaign – taking place from 5-14 March 2027.
The theme for British Science Week 2027 is Creativity! And this year we’re offering grants to 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.
We know that communities are experts in their own lives and experiences. These grants are designed to help community groups explore ideas, build new partnerships with researchers and discover how research and innovation can help create positive change.
Whether you’re completely new to working with researchers or already have experience of community-research partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply for Pilot Grant Apply for Incubator Grant
Key dates for grants application
Applications close on: 4 November 2026 at 5 pm
Successful applicants will be notified by: 14 December 2026
What grants are available?
We are offering two types of grants, Pilot Grants and Incubator Grants. We have a total amount of £250,000 available for this year.
Pilot Grants
Pilot Grants offer £2,500 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
Incubator Grants offer between £5,000 and £8,000 for projects that are co-designed between community organisations and researchers to explore how research can make a difference to local communities.
As with the Pilot Grants, 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 are welcome from organisations and community groups based in the UK 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 community groups that work with girls and women, we prioritise those who work with at least one other underrepresented group.
Applications can be submitted by charities, community interest companies (CICs), constituted community groups, unincorporated associations, faith organisations and other community-led organisations.
For Incubator Grants, we will also consider applications from ‘broker organisations’ such as festivals, who can broker and facilitate relationships between communities and researchers.
Do I need to work with a researcher?
Not necessarily.
For Pilot Grants, working with a researcher is encouraged but not required.
For Incubator Grants, applicants must have a named researcher and demonstrate how the project has been co-designed and will be delivered in partnership.
Can we apply for both grants?
No, each organisation or group can only apply for one grant, either the Pilot or the Incubator Grant, but not both. You will need to decide which grant is best suited to your unique community context.
Does our project need to be related to science?
Yes. Projects must have a connection to science, but we take a broad and inclusive view of what that means. Eligible projects can relate to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), as well as the social sciences.
We welcome applications that explore research and innovation across all disciplines, not just traditional science or STEM fields. Projects that bring together perspectives from the humanities, social sciences and STEM subjects are particularly encouraged.
What do you mean by research and innovation?
We take a broad view of research and innovation.
Research and innovation can involve exploring a question, testing a new idea, gathering evidence, learning from lived experience, creating new knowledge or finding different ways to tackle challenges that matter to your community.
You do not need to be a research expert to apply.
We are interested in projects that are driven by community priorities and a desire to learn, explore and create positive change.
What do you mean by ‘researcher’? / What is a researcher?
Researchers are people who use evidence, inquiry, investigation or specialist knowledge to better understand issues and generate new insights. They may work in universities, research institutes, charities, community organisations, public services, industry, or as independent practitioners.
Researchers might include:
- Academic researchers and lecturers from universities
- PhD students and Early Career Researchers
- Scientists and engineers
- Social researchers and evaluators
- Healthcare researchers and public health specialists
- Environmental and climate researchers
- Historians, archaeologists and heritage researchers
- Arts and humanities researchers
- Independent researchers and consultants
- Data analysts and citizen science specialists
- Researchers working in charities, local authorities or public bodies
- Industry-based researchers and innovation professionals
How do I apply?
Please read the full list of Frequently Asked Questions, our Grants guidelines, and Terms & Conditions before applying, as these include full details of what we will and won’t fund and the eligibility and assessment criteria which we will assess applications against.
2027 Community Grants guidelines and FAQs
The Terms & Conditions can be found on the final page of the application forms.
Applications must be submitted using our online application forms.
Need support with your application?
We want this funding to be as accessible as possible. Support is available if you have questions about eligibility, accessibility requirements or the application process.
If you would like to discuss your idea before applying, please get in touch with the Community Engagement Team: [email protected].