IOP Public Engagement Grant Scheme Accepting Applications for Round 2

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The funding is for individuals and organisations across the UK and Ireland to deliver physics-based projects that meaningfully engage whole family groups and aim to improve people's relationship with physics.

Grants of between £500 and £4,000 are available for projects that:

  • Demonstrate how they will improve people's relationship with physics

  • Demonstrate how they will meaningfully engage with whole family groups

  • Demonstrate how they will reach at least one of the IOP target audiences (see below)

  • Are free for participants to access

  • Have physics at their heart (ie, relating to physics/physicists/the application of physics for the benefit of society).

  • Outline project costs, including additional funding being used to support the project.

  • Include an evaluation plan

  • Provide details of how the project will succeed.

Priority be given to projects which link with physicists and physics institutions; show the impacts of physics on society; have the potential for lasting impact; combat stereotypes about, and/or include positive and inclusive messaging about physics, physicists and physics careers; and show that the activity is dependent on IOP funding, or that IOP funding adds a significant and distinct element.

IOP is specifically trying to reach families with young people under the age of 16 years that identify with one or more of the following groups:

  • Girls and young women.

  • Disabled young people.

  • LGBT+ young people.

  • Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

  • Black Caribbean young people.

There are two funding rounds per year. Applications for round two are currently open for projects which start in 2026 and are completed by 30 June 2027.

The application deadline for round two is 7 September 2026. For more information, please visit Public Engagement Grant Scheme | Institute of Physics