For this first round of funding, we are inviting applications from community groups and individuals embedded in communities in the UK’s coastal regions. Community groups and individuals embedded in communities that are not coastal will not be eligible for this round, but future rounds will have different eligibility criteria.
About the Grant
The Community Connections Grant aims to bring communities and university researchers in arts, humanities and social sciences closer together. The Grant will give up to £5,000 to community groups for them to develop meaningful projects expressing something important to them and their community, with the support of an arts, humanities or social sciences researcher.
Projects could include, but are not limited, activities such as:
- Curating an exhibition
- Co-ordinating an oral history project
- Developing a creative output
- Mapping local sites
- Filming cultural activities
- Creating a resource relevant to your community
- Creating local change
A key element of the grant is developing strong relationships between communities and arts, humanities and social sciences researchers. CPEP will match successful applicants with researchers in these fields who will support the communities in developing their projects.
Communities who are already working with arts, humanities, or social sciences researchers can also apply to work on a new project with the researchers.
How to apply
Communities will need to identify a lead applicant to submit their application. This person could be a community leader, or have a role in organising some aspect of the community’s activities. All applicants should demonstrate how they have involved the community group in the development of the project idea. Full details of the application process are in the Application Guidance on the Community Connections Grant webpage.
The deadline for applications is 1 December 2026.
Why take part?
Throughout 2026, the CPEP team have piloted the Community Connections Grant with community groups in Leicester and Wrexham who have been working on creative projects with researchers to advocate for and promote their community.
The pilots provided an opportunity for the groups to work on projects that amplify and reflect their community identity and sense of place. Researchers worked with the groups to offer advice, contribute to community discussions and deliver workshops, based on the group’s aims for their projects.
Successful applicants to the full scheme will be awarded up to £5,000 and will be matched with a researcher to work with them in a similar way to the pilot projects. CPEP aims to ensure that groups will be connected to researchers who are best placed to help projects develop. Training opportunities and support will be provided by the CPEP team. Both pilot projects have helped CPEP refine and shape the application and guidance for the full scheme.
Find out more about the pilots on the Community Connections Grant webpage.
Photo: pilot workshop with the Wrexham Rhinos, June 2026
Find out more
An application webinar will take place online on 2 November 2026, 1.30-2.30pm. Sign up here and come along to find out more about the grant application process and ask us any questions.
Thinking about applying but want to find out more about working with a researcher? Watch the first film in our series where we talk to arts, humanities and social sciences researchers about what they do and why they do it.
Questions or comments? You can email us at cpep@sas.ac.uk with any questions or to book in a 10 minute call.
The deadline for applications is 1 December 2026. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-January 2027.