Funding for Public Engagement Projects Focused on Brain Health and Dementia Risk Reduction

by Libby Mahoney

Alzheimer’s Research UK has opened the latest round of its Inspire Fund, offering seed funding of up to £5,000 for innovative public engagement projects focused on brain health and dementia risk reduction. The scheme is designed to support individuals, community organisations, creatives, and researchers aiming to engage diverse and underserved audiences. Such as ethnic minorities, marginalised or socioeconomically disadvantaged people.

Applicants must be UK-based, although international collaborators are permitted. The fund prioritises applications from across the UK, especially from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and English regions including the Midlands, North West, North East, Yorkshire, and East Anglia.

Projects should be delivered within 12 months and can cover a wide range of costs, including staff time, materials, travel, accessibility measures, and evaluation.

The Inspire Fund encourages collaboration between researchers and non-academic partners such as artists, community groups, or educators.
The type of activities that can be funded include:

  • Creative arts: theatre, film, visual arts, music, dance, spoken word, or storytelling projects that explore dementia-related themes.
  • Community events: workshops, exhibitions, interactive installations, and festivals co-created with or led by community groups.
  • Educational outreach: school activities, toolkits, or campaigns that raise awareness among younger or intergenerational audiences.
  • Digital engagement: podcasts, short films, social media campaigns, or interactive websites tailored to specific audiences.
  • Collaborative projects: partnerships between researchers and non-academic stakeholders (e.g., artists, local organisations) that co-design and deliver content.
  • Culturally relevant initiatives: projects designed with and for minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, or socio-economically disadvantaged populations.
  • Accessible formats: work designed for audiences with disabilities, including BSL interpretation, easy-read materials, or sensory-friendly formats.

While research activities may be included, they must not be the project’s primary focus. Proposals that are community-led or co-created are particularly welcomed.

Previous Inspire Fund recipients may be eligible to apply for follow-on funding of up to £20,000 to scale successful initiatives. Between four and six projects are expected to be funded in the current round.

Applications for the 2025 seed funding round must be submitted by 17:00 on 8 September 2025. Further information is available from Alzheimer’s Research UK’s website.

Don’t forget that SCVO’s Development Team offers a FREE ‘critical friend service’ to groups that deliver in Sandwell and support Sandwell residents to help you build a stronger case for investment from the funder! (If you are from outside the borough, we may still be able to help through our fee-based SCVO+ service). Drop us a line at support@scvo.info to find out more.