Public Engagement Fund for UK Libraries Opens New Round

The Engaging Libraries fund is a partnership between the Carnegie UK Trust, Wellcome and the Wolfson Foundation. Following the success of Phase 1, the fund is now seeking applications to Phase 2.

Engaging Libraries Phase 2 will support public libraries to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society and culture. It will help to facilitate partnerships between public libraries and researchers, and spark people’s curiosity around topics that are relevant or interesting to them.

Phase 2 has three core aims. The programme aims to:

1. Energise and empower people through engagement with research about health, society and culture in one of the following ways:

Enable people to access, use and respond to research

Enable people to value and think critically about research

Enable people to play a role in formulating research

2. Enable public libraries to build upon and explore their civic role as safe spaces for participation and engagement with research.

3. Facilitate partnerships between public libraries and universities or Independent Research Organisations (IROs).

Public libraries in the UK are eligible to apply.

This fund will offer the following:

£12,000 – £25,000 for those applying as a single library service

£12,000 – £50,000 for those submitting a joint application.

Additional support will also be provided to help match applicants to a suitable research partner, and a development programme providing contact with experts and the opportunity to share ideas and learn with other Engaging Libraries participants.

The Trust are aiming to support around 20 projects.

It is expected projects to come on board late November 2019 and to spend 3-6 months further developing and refining their idea, with activities coming to a close in May 2021.

The deadline for applications to Phase 2 is 25 September 2019.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.