BSA - public engagement with health research

The British Science Association is launching a new three-part grants scheme to make public engagement with health research more flexible, innovative, and accessible to a wider range of people. The problem is straightforward: current funding for public engagement with health research often reaches the same organisations and audiences, leaving many communities—especially those less trusting of science—uninvolved. This matters because health research only delivers its full benefit when people can understand, trust, and act on its findings. The new scheme tackles this by offering three distinct funding streams: an Incubator Fund for small, experimental projects; a Main Fund for scaling proven approaches; and a Discretionary Fund to back unexpected opportunities. If successful, the scheme could reshape how health research connects with the public. More people—including those currently underserved—would gain the confidence to engage with researchers on topics they care about. The public would be better equipped to navigate health information, ask informed questions, and participate in research decisions. Over time, this could strengthen trust in health science and ensure that research benefits reach a broader cross-section of the UK population. The project does not generate new scientific data; it redesigns the infrastructure that connects science with society.