Nucleus Public Engagement Awards 2026
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) · United Kingdom
Funding to support programmes that engage the public with science and technology within the remit of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) or increase public engagement capacity within STFC communities. Nucleus Public Engagement Award…
Summary
Deadline
31 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support programmes that engage the public with science and technology within the remit of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) or increase public engagement capacity within STFC communities. Nucleus Public Engagement Award…
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Public Sector, Charity Community
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Public engagement programmes linked to STFC science areas such as astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, computational science and quantum technologies.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK-based organisations with audited accounts including universities, colleges, museums, schools, community interest companies, libraries, science communicators, facility users, STFC scientists, technicians, engineers and grant-funded researchers. UK research organisation or eligible public engagement applicant per Nucleus Public Engagement Awards 2026. Public engagement programmes, development ...
Eligible applicants
UK-based organisations with audited accounts including universities, colleges, museums, schools, community interest companies, libraries, science communicators, facility users, STFC scientists, technicians, engineers and grant-funded researchers.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£20,000 to £100,000
Total fund available
£200,000
Funding intensity
TRAC: 80% FEC up to £125k; non-TRAC up to £100k at 100%.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Public engagement programmes, development of engagement capacity, community networking activities related to STFC science and technology.
Eligible expenses
- Contributions to salaries, materials, travel and subsistence and other costs contributing to the full economic cost of the project.
Ineligible costs
- Equipment over £25,000, infrastructure or building costs, international conference costs, contingency funds, retrospective funding and projects starting before 1 September 2026.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Assessment typically completed within four months after the application deadline.
Assessment process
Applications are first reviewed by the STFC Public Engagement team to ensure eligibility, then assessed by an independent panel of public engagement experts who rank applications and recommend funding.
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fail to demonstrate a clear link to STFC science remit, do not meet eligibility requirements or do not follow application guidance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
24 to 36 months.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Partnerships permitted where award guidance allows collaborative public engagement delivery.
Consortium requirements
- Single organisation or team application per award category.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Earliest Project Start Date","value":"1 September 2026"},{"label":"Organisation Requirement","value":"The host organisation must be based in the UK and have audited accounts. If not, applicants must partner with an eligible organisation that can receive the funding."},{"label":"Subject Matter Requirement","value":"Each proposal must include a subject matter expert in an STFC-funded area of science or technology."},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"The award operates under the full economic costing framework."},{"label":"Application Process","value":"Applications must be completed by the project lead and submitted by the lead research organisation through the UKRI Funding Service."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must clearly link to STFC science or technology remit and include a subject matter expert. Applicants must provide an evaluation plan and demonstrate alignment with the STFC public engagement strategy."},{"label":"Target Audience Focus","value":"Engagement primarily aimed at audiences in the UK, including schools, families and the general public."},{"label":"Special Programme Focus","value":"Projects may contribute to the Wonder Initiative, which supports engagement with underserved communities in the most socio-economically deprived areas of the UK."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Projects must focus on audiences primarily within the UK and must not consist solely of publishing activities such as books or novels without a broader engagement programme."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 31 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £20,000 to £100,000
- Funding band
- Small (£50k-£500k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Public Sector, Charity Community, Mixed
- Industry
- Public engagement programmes linked to STFC science areas such as astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, computational science and quantum technologies.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 17 Dec 2025