We’re seeking researchers who are excited about these kinds of projects and are interested in supporting community knowledge. The grant aims to bring people with different experiences together, to celebrate existing knowledge within communities and to develop creative responses to local issues.
Participating in the grant will give researchers the chance to strengthen their partnership-building, public engagement and creative production skills, share expertise beyond the university, and build confidence in working with community groups.
About the Community Connections Grant
The Community Connections Grant challenges traditional university models of working by putting communities in the driving seat, recognising that communities are best placed to define their own needs, priorities, and interests.
Community groups will be provided with £5000 to plan and deliver a project around an issue, idea or topic that is important to them. They may decide to produce an exhibition, performance or film, build a personal archive, or use storytelling to make change in their local area. An arts, humanities or social sciences researcher with relevant skills and expertise will support the groups to deliver their projects.
Through a matchmaking process, CPEP will propose suitably experienced researchers, guided by community groups’ identified criteria and decisions. However, as this is a community-led grant, community groups will ultimately decide who they want to work with.
What we’re looking for
For this grant, researchers must be employed at HEI’s or AHRC-recognised IRO’s, either full time or part time, and must be employed for the duration of the grant period. If you cannot be part of the pilot but you would be interested in being considered as a researcher for the full scheme later in 2026, we encourage you to complete the Expression of Interest form for future consideration.
You can find the Expression of Interest form here.
Timeline
- Pilot Grant period: January – May 2026
- Researcher involvement: February/March – May 2026
- Estimated time commitment: 30-40 hours across the four-month period
Why get involved?
Your involvement will directly shape the full Community Connections Grant open call for other community groups to apply to, expected to launch in June next year. Insights from participating communities and researchers will help create a funding model that is flexible, responsive, and grounded in lived experience.
Participating researchers will have access to training, a peer community of practice and new relationships, whilst contributing to positive change in wider society and helping CPEP understand how best to support researchers in community-led work.
By joining the pilot, you’ll build your research leadership experience and contribute to building a more equitable approach to research partnerships, one that centres community leadership from the very beginning.
About the Centre
The Centre for Public Engagement in Arts and Humanities is a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded initiative to test and create new ways to support ambitious and experimental ways of doing public engagement. New grants, resources, training and learning opportunities will enable meaningful collaboration and lead to long-term impact and relationships.
If you have any questions about the Community Connections Grant or the Expression of Interest form, please get in touch at [email protected].