Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Inspire Fund offers grant funding to support public and community engagement projects on the topic of dementia.

The fund is currenlty offering seed funding of up to £5,000 to people, organisations and communities with ideas, passion and ability to realise innovative public engagement projects on the topic of dementia. Applications are encouraged from within or outside the research community, from those with a track record in public engagement and those looking to apply their skills to this important issue for the first time.

Through the scheme, Alheimers Research UK wants to build relationships between communities and researchers, and are especially interested in proposals led by community groups or organisations.

Projects must meet both of the following core criteria:

• Projects must engage with underserved audiences on the topic of dementia, such as minority ethnic communities, marginalised or socioeconomically disadvantaged people.
• Build knowledge and understanding about brain health (in the context of dementia risk reduction) and explore ways to encourage behaviour change.

There is a total of £75,000 available to award through the Inspire Fund in 2024. A proportion will be awarded as seed funding to new grant holders, in grants of up to £5,000 per project and the remainder will be awarded as follow on funding to past Inspire Fund grant holders, to grow the scale and impact of their previous projects, with grants of up to £20,000 per project. Applications for seed funding can be submitted online. Past grant holders should email engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org for details of how to apply for follow on funding.

Applicants are encouraged to forge links with collaborators or groups to strengthen ideas, and Alzheimer’s Research UK will be supporting relationship building during funded projects.

Applicants are encouraged to attend the online information webinar to find out more about the scheme and ask questions. This will take place on 17 September 2024 from 12-1pm BST, and can be booked here.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 14th October 2024.

For more information about the Inspire Fund you can visit Alzheimer’s Research UK website, where you can find full details of eligibility, the application process, frequently asked questions and previous Inspire Fund projects.