Inspire Fund – public engagement grant

We encourage applications from people, organisations and communities with ideas, passion and ability to realise innovative public engagement projects on the topic of dementia. From those within or outside the research community, those with a track record in public engagement and those looking to apply their skills to this important issue for the first time.

Through the scheme, we want to build relationships between communities and researchers, and are especially interested in proposals led by community groups or organisations.

We strongly encourage applicants to forge links with collaborators or groups to strengthen ideas. As we recognise that potential applicants may not have existing links or contacts, we will be facilitating relationship building through the applications process.

Projects can use a range of methods to engage with their audience. While in-person events and activities have returned after the initial impact of the COVID19 pandemic, there remain groups and individuals who are shielding or prefer online or remote engagement methods. We encourage applicants to consider their audience when selecting methods of engagement, to ensure people are able to take part.

Criteria

Inspire Fund projects must engage with under-served audiences on the topic of dementia, such as minority ethnic communities, marginalised or socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

They must also meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Build knowledge and engage the public with the topic of brain health, in the context of dementia risk reduction.
• Engage and create dialogue with people about the progress being made in biomedical dementia research.
• Highlight the value of research volunteers and reduce barriers to research participation.

Grants will not be awarded to:

• Projects where research is the primary purpose (see FAQ for more information).
• Projects that will take place outside of the UK.
• Projects providing dementia care or other front-line services (including arts therapy).
• Projects judged to be using the scheme to further the commercial interests of an organisation.
• Cover the cost of projects that are part of an organisation’s usual programme of activities.

For more information about the Inspire Fund, please read the FAQs.

The application and review process will consist of the following steps:

Scheme opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

The first step in applying is to complete an EOI, through a short online form. It does not need to be a fully fleshed-out proposal, but should outline what you would like to achieve, and what partners or expertise you are seeking to be able to deliver it. We will run two events during the EOI submission window, to answer your questions and help you meet potential partners. We encourage applicants to attend these ahead of submitting an EOI.

Inspire Fund information event 

During the submission window for EOIs, we will hold an online event for potential applicants to find out more about the scheme and ask questions. 

Inspire Fund speed networking event

We will hold an online speed networking event, to help potential applicants meet partners for their project idea. 

EOI deadline

Invitation to next stage 

The ARUK team will review EOIs against the aims of the scheme, and invite a selection of applicants to the next stage. Successful EOI applicants will be sent details of how to submit a full application and invited to attend the information event about submitting their application.

Inspire Fund application information event

At this online meeting, we will share information about using the application portal, completing your application form, and the review process. We will also share guidance around building effective partnerships in projects, and answer your questions. 

Full application deadline

Review

Following peer review, the Inspire Fund Review Committee will meet to discuss proposals and recommend those to be funded. The Review Committee consists of external advisors with a range of experience in public engagement and dementia, people affected by dementia, and representation from Alzheimer’s Research UK. Advice will be sought from additional public engagement professionals when necessary during the review process.

The Committee will score applications against the Inspire Fund’s criteria. In order to make a judgement, they will need to fully understand what you are applying to do, so make sure you include key information about your project.

Applicants notified of funding decisions 

Following funding decisions, applicants will be informed of the outcome approximately 8 weeks after the application deadline.

For more information about the Inspire Fund, please read the FAQs.

You can read the terms and conditions of the scheme here.

Monitoring

Grant holders are required to submit an interim report detailing their progress at a mutually agreed point in the project (normally around halfway through the project).

They will also be required to submit a final report as project evaluation, drawing on evidence gathered throughout the project. This is an essential way for us to assess the impact of projects we fund.

Information on how to build effective evaluation into your project will be provided in application guidance along with the full application form.

Budget monitoring will also take place throughout funded projects. Grant holders are required to maintain complete and accurate budget records and evidence of expenditure, and supply this information to ARUK to allow the release of subsequent grant payments.

GDPR

Download our GDPR statement that explains how the Alzheimer’s Research UK Public Engagement team handles personal data about our grant applications and the rights that applicants have under data protection law. In this Notice, we refer to this type of information as “Applicant Data”.

This statement applies to all applications submitted to this scheme.

Download GDPR statement

For more information about the Inspire Fund, please read the FAQs.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.