Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The SHAPE Involve and Engage Scheme provides funding for innovative public engagement projects that connect humanities and social sciences research with wider audiences through collaboration with cultural and performing arts organisations. The programme supports creative, experimental, and community-focused approaches that help researchers communicate their work beyond academic settings.
The scheme offers grants to support the development and delivery of public engagement activities that foster collaboration between researchers and cultural sector partners across the United Kingdom.
About the SHAPE Involve and Engage Scheme
The programme is designed to encourage meaningful public engagement with humanities and social sciences research. It supports partnerships between researchers and organisations such as galleries, libraries, archives, museums, theatres, arts centres, and other cultural institutions.
The scheme enables participants to test new ideas, explore innovative engagement methods, and create experiences that make research more accessible and relevant to public audiences.
A key objective is to strengthen collaboration between the research community and cultural sector organisations while encouraging experimentation and creative communication.
Programme Objectives
The scheme aims to:
- Develop ambitious public engagement projects in humanities and social sciences
- Support innovative and experimental audience engagement approaches
- Strengthen collaboration between researchers and cultural organisations
- Encourage creative methods of communicating research
- Build sustainable partnerships across sectors
- Promote public participation in research-related activities
- Foster knowledge exchange between academia and cultural institutions
- Support community learning and networking opportunities
Projects should demonstrate how they will engage audiences in meaningful and accessible ways.
Priority Areas
The programme supports projects that focus on:
- Public engagement with humanities research
- Public engagement with social sciences research
- Creative interpretation of research findings
- Audience participation and interaction
- Experimental engagement formats
- Community-based engagement activities
- Arts and culture collaborations
- Research communication initiatives
- Knowledge exchange activities
- Partnership development between academia and the cultural sector
Projects are encouraged to explore innovative approaches that extend beyond traditional academic dissemination.
Funding Available
Successful applicants may receive:
- Up to £8,000 in funding
- Support for direct project delivery costs
- Funding to test new engagement approaches
- Resources to develop creative public engagement activities
The funding is intended to support project implementation rather than long-term infrastructure or institutional costs.
Eligible Costs
Funding can be used for a range of project-related expenses.
Eligible costs include:
- Venue hire
- Technical support services
- Equipment transportation costs
- Exhibition materials
- Activity materials and supplies
- Design services
- Printing and promotional materials
- Marketing and publicity costs
- Essential catering linked to project activities
- Accessibility support measures
- Event delivery expenses
Projects should ensure all costs are directly related to delivering public engagement activities.
Staffing and Professional Support Costs
The scheme also supports staffing costs directly connected to project delivery.
Eligible staffing expenses include:
- Event support staff
- Creative practitioners
- Artists and facilitators
- Consultants
- Guest speakers
- Honoraria payments
- Workshop leaders
- Specialist delivery personnel
These costs must be clearly linked to project activities and audience engagement objectives.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Support
The programme places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion.
Funding may support:
- Interpretation services
- Translation support
- Subtitling and captioning
- Accessible materials
- Childcare support for contributors
- Inclusion-focused adjustments
- Accessibility resources for participants
Applicants are encouraged to embed inclusive practices throughout project design and delivery.
Ineligible Costs
Certain expenses are not eligible under the scheme.
These include:
- Salaried staff time
- Replacement teaching costs
- Administrative staffing costs
- Research assistant salaries
- Equipment purchases
- Software purchases
- Institutional overheads
- Permanent resources
- Infrastructure development
- Long-term capital investments
Applicants should ensure proposed budgets only include eligible expenditures.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to researchers based in:
- United Kingdom
- Isle of Man
- Channel Islands
Eligible applicants must:
- Be at postdoctoral level or above
- Have a primary research focus in humanities or social sciences
- Demonstrate the ability to deliver the proposed project
- Secure the required institutional and partnership support
The scheme is intended for researchers seeking to expand the public reach and impact of their work.
Eligible Applicants
The following individuals may apply:
- Academic researchers
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Independent scholars
- Retired researchers
- Emeritus researchers
Independent, retired, and emeritus applicants must demonstrate appropriate support arrangements for project delivery.
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible to apply as lead applicants:
- Postgraduate students
- Individuals holding certain long-term British Academy fellowships during overlapping award periods
- Previous recipients of this SHAPE award
Although postgraduate students cannot lead applications, they may participate as members of project teams.
Partnership Requirements
Applications must involve collaboration between research and cultural sectors.
Applicants must have:
- Support from their employing institution
- A confirmed cultural sector partner
Eligible partners may include:
- Galleries
- Libraries
- Archives
- Museums
- Theatres
- Performing arts organisations
- Cultural institutions
- Arts organisations
Applications may also be led by a GLAM or performing arts organisation, provided a university partner is actively involved in project delivery.
Community of Practice Requirement
Successful applicants will be required to participate in programme learning activities.
This includes:
- Attendance at a community of practice workshop
- Participation in networking and knowledge-sharing activities
- Engagement with other funded projects
The workshop is expected to take place in mid to late January 2027.
Why This Scheme Matters
Research in the humanities and social sciences can help address important social, cultural, economic, and historical questions. However, research impact is often limited when findings remain within academic settings.
The SHAPE Involve and Engage Scheme helps:
- Connect research with wider audiences
- Increase public understanding of research
- Encourage creative knowledge exchange
- Strengthen partnerships between academia and culture
- Promote innovation in public engagement
- Support inclusive participation
- Enhance the societal impact of research
By bringing together researchers and cultural organisations, the programme creates opportunities for more accessible and meaningful public engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much funding is available?
Successful projects can receive up to £8,000 for direct project costs. - Who can apply for the scheme?
Researchers at postdoctoral level or above based in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands whose primary focus is in the humanities or social sciences. - Can postgraduate students apply?
No. Postgraduate students cannot act as lead applicants, although they may participate in project teams. - What types of organisations can act as partners?
Galleries, libraries, archives, museums, performing arts organisations, theatres, and other cultural institutions. - Can funding be used for accessibility measures?
Yes. Interpretation, subtitling, childcare support, accessible materials, and other inclusion-related costs are eligible. - Can equipment or software be purchased using the grant?
No. Equipment purchases, software purchases, and infrastructure costs are not eligible. - Are successful applicants required to attend programme events?
Yes. Award holders are expected to attend a community of practice workshop scheduled for mid to late January 2027.
Conclusion
The SHAPE Involve and Engage Scheme provides an opportunity for humanities and social sciences researchers to develop innovative public engagement projects through partnerships with cultural and performing arts organisations. With grants of up to £8,000, the programme supports creative approaches to audience engagement, research communication, and collaboration across sectors. By encouraging experimentation, accessibility, and community participation, the scheme helps extend the impact of research beyond academia and into wider society.
For more information, visit The British Academy.