British Academy SHAPE Involve and Engage 2026

This programme offers the opportunity to think outside the box, test a new approach and be ambitious in your approach to engaging a public audience with your research.

As part of the programme, a ‘community of practice’ workshop will be hosted for successful applicants in mid to late January. Alongside sessions on evaluation and working with your audiences, award holders will have the opportunity to share their plans with other workshop attendees. You will act as critical friends and sounding boards, sharing ideas, giving feedback and troubleshooting possible challenges, and forming a network of support through the duration of the project development and delivery.

• Table of Content
• About The British Academy
• SHAPE Involve and Engage
• Aim and Benefits of SHAPE Involve and Engage
• Requirements for SHAPE Involve and Engage Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

SHAPE Involve and Engage

Aim and Benefits of SHAPE Involve and Engage

These awards, up to £8,000, offer an exciting opportunity for humanities and social sciences researchers to push boundaries and seek imaginative new ways to engage with the public. 

Requirements for SHAPE Involve and Engage Qualification

The programme will:

• Act as a catalyst to get a project or idea up and running.
• Be an opportunity to try a new approach or work with a new audience to gain new perspectives on your research.
• Offer the chance to build a new partnership with the cultural sector or try a new idea with an existing collaborator. The chance to work with a partner who truly adds value and makes a meaningful contribution to your project through their expertise, connections, skills or collections.
• Allow you to make contacts and find networking opportunities with others in the research community who are interested in exploring new and innovative approaches to public engagement.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applications can only be submitted online using the British Academy’s online Flexi-Grant® Grant Management System (GMS) system.

For more details, visit British Academy SHAPE Involve and Engage webpage