The Royal Academy of Engineering is offering funding of between £3,000 and £30,000 for groups, individuals or organisations who have bright ideas for creative projects that engage the public with engineers and engineering under its Ingenious Public Engagement awards scheme.
Recently funded projects range from a series of apocalypse-themed engineering festivals (SMASHfestUK) to a live performance theatre show (Imagineer) bringing together arts and engineering. This year, the Academy continues its search to fund innovative projects that reach local, regional or national audiences right across the UK and connect members of the public, of any age, with engineers to tell the story of the diversity, nature, and impact of engineering.
We are especially keen to receive applications for inventive public engagement projects that aim to reach diverse and under-represented audiences, including communities in deprived parts of the country, and projects that will engage people of different genders, ages, and ethnic backgrounds.
Funding of between £3,000 and £30,000 is available for projects to:
- Inspire creative public engagement with engineering projects
- Motivate engineers to share their stories, passion, and expertise with wider audiences and develop their communication and engagement skills
- Raise awareness of the diversity, nature, and impact of engineering amongst people of all ages and backgrounds
- Provide opportunities for engineers to engage with members of the public from groups currently under-represented in engineering
Ingenious has funded over 200 projects to date, providing opportunities for more than 6,000 engineers to take part in public engagement activities, to gain skills in communication and to help bring engineering to the very centre of society. Ingenious projects have reached more than three million members of the public.
Ingenious panel chair Professor Anthony Finkelstein FREng said:
“We have funded innovative projects across the country delivering projects as diverse as a Caribbean sound system and a circus show, displaying the breadth of places where you can find engineering. This year we want even more varied and innovative applicants. If you are passionate about inspiring the next generation – no matter what part of the country you are in, you should apply!”
Applications are welcome from engineers and creative or public engagement professionals keen to explore ways to provide public engagement training and opportunities for engineers and to engage new groups of people with their work.
Applications for the next funding round close at 4pm on Monday 23 September 2019.
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