The University’s public engagement team is piloting a seed funding initiative to help staff and students bring their public engagement ideas to life.

Proposals will need to demonstrate ability to stimulate interest, excitement and debate about an area of research and/or work programmes, and be financially complete by the end of July 2020.

The maximum sum available per project and per individual researcher is £1,500, but smaller bids are also very welcome.

Each proposal will be assessed against the following criteria, listed in order of significance:

• Clear rationale for the engagement work;
• Clear identification of – and rationale for – a defined audience for the engagement;
• Potential for interaction and listening within the project to maximise 2-way engagement between staff/students and audience;
• A considered plan for evaluating the project’s effectiveness;
• Development of an innovative engagement approach; OR a tried-and-tested method in a new context;
• The potential for learning/development of the staff/students involved; and consideration of how this can be captured and shared with the wider University  community;
• The potential for matched resource or funding for the proposed activity;
• The potential sustainability of the activity beyond the initial period of funding.

A statement of support from a Head of Department and/ or PHD supervisor, if appropriate, will be required.

For further information, please email Kate Bailey, Public Engagement Manager: k.bailey@surrey.ac.uk