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    Making Connections Grant Scheme

    Since 2017, the Making Connections grant scheme, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has enabled UK Science Festivals Network (UKSFN) members to develop their approaches to engaging underrepresented audiences with research and researchers, through community partnerships.

    Through this programme, we want to encourage young people to see science and research as something which is not separate from their everyday life and culture, whilst providing a ‘safe’ place for researchers to test out public engagement activities on topics which are relevant and of interest to the young people.

    Each year, the grant becomes open for applications in March or April, with the grants being awarded in June. Funded projects then take place between June and December, before being evaluated and planning begins for the following year. The exact numbers of grants and the associated funding is variable, but usually covers approximately 8 grants of up to £8,000 each.

    To get an idea of the types of projects run through the Making Connections scheme, take a look at our learning curves blog series, guest written by previous successful applicants.

     

    Making Connections long term evaluation

    In 2023, we worked with an independent consultant to evaluate the learnings from throughout the running of the Making Connections Grant Scheme. This work focussed on understand the long-term impact the projects have had on project participants (including festivals, researchers and audiences) and how the programme should evolve in future years.

    You can view the final report here.

     

    Making Connections 2024 – Project Overviews

     

    Be Curious

    Be Curious will be working on a framework for creating, recruiting and sustaining a community board for their events and University (University of Leeds). The project will see numerous workshops set up in order to establish a co-created, meaningful Community Board that serves the communities the University aims to reach and to increase the civic identity of the University as a part of the City of Leeds.

    Darganford//Discover Science Festival

    The project from Darganford//Discover Science Festival aims to connect with the local community of Wrexham and surrounding areas in North-East at the Science Festival through working with kidney researchers at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics. The collaboration will bring art based interactive activities to underserved audiences in Wrexham City Centre

    Festival of Tomorrow

    The Festival of Tomorrow will be working with researchers from the University of Bath’s Institute for Sustainabiltiy and South Swindon Parish Council to develop and test creative workshops facilitated by a professional artist. The resultant creations will then contribute to artworks and installations to display and exhibit to local communities.

    IF Oxford

    This project sees a collaboration between IF Oxford, Somerville College and Community Development Initiative to develop and deliver a series of workshops spanning multiple scientific topics for young people. These activities will support participants in the development of collaborative skills that work across cultures and add to research surrounding best practice in engagement.

    Ignite! And Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity

    Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity will be working on a project in collaboration with artist Liam Mills, researcher Joanna Lockwood, Students from Confetti College and LGBTQIA+ youth group Outburst. Participants will come together to learn how to create graphic novels covering topics such as mental health, representation, identity and LGBTQIA+ History and storytelling.

    Manchester Science Festival/Science and Industry Museum

    The Science and Industry Museum will be working with a creative practitioner to engage communities at Manchester Science Festival, covering themes of ‘Extremes’ both in ourselves and in the future. The project aims to empower and support a creative practitioner in co-creating art and activities with communities in the lead up to the Festival.

    Nation Eisteddfod of Wales

    This project aims to work with researchers and local arts organisation, Citrus Arts, to develop an activity surrounding house-building inspired by Welsh folklore. This house will be created, explored and demolished at the Science & Technology Village at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, where participants can explore themes of home, housing and movement of people.

    Norwich Science Festival 

    Norwich Science Festival will be hosting workshops in the lead up to their project event, with the aim of co-production involving researchers and local community workers. The resultant activities will form part of a Norwich Science Festival ‘Bugs and Beasts’ event, which will include a free hot meal for families taking part.

    Rochdale Science Extravaganza

    The Rochdale Science initiative will be co-creating a series of events with the local Deaf community, with the aim of creating an environment where the Deaf Community can actively engage with science. This collaborative work will also include researchers experienced in Deaf communications as well as qualified BSL interpreters, culminating in a set of learnings and strategies for the Deaf participants to independently access STEM resources and opportunities.

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