Funding for Outreach and Public Engagement Activities
QEPNT is dedicated to promoting understanding of the potential of quantum research and technologies in line with the aims of the National Quantum Technologies Programme through outreach and public engagement activities.
The Outreach and Public Engagement Activities programme is aimed at staff undertaking outreach and public engagement activities or wishing to undertake professional development opportunities in this area. This forms part of the QEPNT Skills & Training programme, funded as a supplementary award by EPSRC.
What will we fund?
Funding is offered on a flexible basis, but the types of activities that we will consider funding include:
- Individual or group training in public engagement and outreach.
- Sponsorship of outreach and public engagement events or activities.
- A contribution towards the costs of demonstrating at a national public engagement event, such as a Science Festival (this can include costs of exhibition space, registration, or the purchase of demonstration equipment).
Levels of funding available
We will fund individual activities to a maximum of £5000 per award, inclusive of VAT (where applicable). Applications should include a full breakdown of costs.
Application Process
- Eligible candidates may apply for funding at any time during the current phase of the NQTP Hubs (to November 2029).
- Requests for funding should be made by completing the Public Engagement & Outreach Application Form and returning it to info@QEPNT.ac.uk.
- Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and peer reviewed by a selection panel including the Hub PI, Hub Director, Hub Management and selected Hub CoIs. Members of the review panel will be required to declare any conflicts of interest and abstain where necessary.
- You should expect to receive a response to your request within one month of application.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The QEPNT Hub is committed to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and our funding programmes are designed to align with our EDI Strategy. We therefore aim to provide funding as flexibly as possible, with a particular focus on reducing barriers to professional development opportunities; especially for under-represented groups and individuals with caring responsibilities.
Funding Conditions and Payment Terms
- Funding will be paid directly to the home institution of the recipient as a single award. We are unable to pay any costs (including personal expenses) to a personal bank account.
- QEPNT will pay to the recipient 80% of the full economic costs directly incurred by the recipient.
- The funding must be used only for the purposes of the activity outlined in the application form and must be spent in accordance with the project budget set out therein.
- The award is deemed to be inclusive of VAT and represents the maximum amount payable by QEPNT to the recipient.
- Under no circumstances will QEPNT be responsible for any additional costs incurred by the recipient in connection with the activity.
- The award must be spent in accordance with EPSRC grant award Terms and Conditions.
- Funding is conditional on the receipt of a post-activity/event report within one-month of the event taking place, outlining the main outcomes/impact of the funding. The Hub Management Team will provide a pro-forma to all successful recipients.
- Funding is only available for colleagues working in one or more of the NQTP Hubs.
- Events/activities must be related to the work of the NQTP Hubs and be aligned to the objectives of the QEPNT Hub.
- This scheme cannot be used to pay for researcher salaries, or any other costs associated with the payment of an individual.