Alzheimer's Research UK - Inspire Fund

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Closing date 08/09/2025

Grants are available for public engagement projects led by groups within or outside the research community that will tackle misconceptions around dementia and promote the importance of dementia research.

The Inspire Fund provides funding for innovative projects that engage and empower the public by improving understanding of dementia and sharing the benefits of dementia research. The funders aim to create and nurture relationships between communities, researchers, creatives and other potential applicants.

Projects must engage with underserved audiences on the topic of dementia, such as minority ethnic communities, marginalised or socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

 

For this call, seed funding is available to new grant holders, in grants of up to £5,000 per project. 

Follow on funding grants of up to £20,000 per project will also be available to past Inspire Fund grant holders, to grow the scale and impact of their previous projects. (Previous grant holders interested in follow-on funding should contact the Involvement & Engagement team for further information.)

 

Applicants are accepted from individuals, organisations and communities with ideas, passion and ability to realise innovative public engagement projects on the topic of dementia. ARUK is especially interested in proposals led by community groups or organisations.

Applicants are encouraged to forge links with collaborators or groups to grow the scale of ideas and the impact of the projects.

Inspire Fund projects must meet both core criteria:

  • Projects must engage with underserved audiences on the topic of dementia, such as minority ethnic communities, marginalised or socio-economically disadvantaged people.

  • Build knowledge and understanding about brain health (in the context of dementia risk reduction) and explore ways to encourage behaviour change.

Projects can use a range of methods to engage with their audience and applicants are encouraged to consider their audience when selecting methods of engagement, to ensure people are able to take part.

The grant is intended to cover:

  • Salaries or fees for people who are essential to the proposal such as project lead, researchers, artists or consultants that aren't already covered by another grant.

  • Participant costs if relevant.

  • Materials and consumables.

  • Equipment that is essential to the project.

  • Production costs, including marketing.

  • Travel and subsistence relevant to the proposal.

  • Room hire.

  • Catering.

  • Accessibility costs (eg BSL translation).

  • Evaluation and dissemination of the work.

  • Contingency (up to 5% of total cost).

Examples of previously funded projects can be found on the Alzheimer's Research UK website.

 

The deadline for applications to the 2025 seed fund call is 8 September 2025 (5pm).

An online application form is available on the ARUK website - Inspire Fund – public engagement grant - Grant scheme - Alzheimer's Research UK

The funders will be holding an online information webinar for potential applicants to find out more about the scheme and ask questions on 5 August 2025 (12–1pm). Applicants can sign up to attend on the ARUK website.

Past grant holders interested in applying for follow-on funding should contact the Involvement & Engagement team for more information – engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org