science festival community awards

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST May 2010

The Manchester Beacon for Public Engagement is inviting expressions of interest for the Manchester Beacon Science Festival Community Awards 2010. Four awards of up to £2000 each are available to develop community engagement activities during the Manchester Science Festival 2010 (23rd- 31st October 2010). These awards aim to make Science inspirational, accessible and relevant to local communities and to develop cooperative networks or collaborative partnershipsto deliver the activity. These new partnerships must include a representative from each of the following sectors:

  • Research groups or Research networks with academic leads from the Manchester Beacon Universities (University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Salford). Interdisciplinary research areas that cross the boundaries of arts, humanities, science, mathematics and technology are encouraged. Groups and networks that span the Beacon are also encouraged.
  • A community group or community network based in and working with residents from Hulme, Longsight, Moss Side, Ardwick, Rusholme and Salford.

To register your expression of interestplease visit and register filling in the eventbrite formby 3pm Monday 7th June 2010. Expressions of interest received after this deadline will not be considered. Only those expressing an interest will be eligible to apply for a community science award.

Prospective participants are invited to take part in an ideas workshop and networking event onFriday11th June 2010 (10:45am-1pm).At the event, participants will have the opportunity to network and meet potential partners before applying for an award. Child care and/or volunteering travel expenses will be covered by the Beacon to attend the workshop.

The closing dateto receive applications will be 12pm on Thursday 24th June 2010.

Eight applications will be shortlisted according to the selection criteria based on the Manchester Beacon priorities and objectives. Shortlisted projects will be invited to pitch their idea to a selection panel on Thursday 15th July 2010.Thepanelwill comprise:Natalie Ireland (Manchester Science Festival Director), Elizabeth Lauder (Project Officer, Louise DaCocodia Education Trust) and Dr. Hilary Jackson (Deputy Public Engagement Coordinator, University College London) on Thursday 15th July 2010. Winners will be notified by Friday 16th July 2010.

Successful applicants will be supported in the development of their idea by the Manchester Beacon Team. Please note telephone feedback will be available to unsuccessful applications between the 19th and 21st July 2010 inclusive.

Support can also be obtained from Manchester Beacon project managers:

Museum of Science and Industry: . 0161 606 0109

University of Manchester: 0161 306 1591

Manchester Metropolitan University: 0161 247 3429

University of Salford: 0161 295 5407

Community Science Award Timescales

Expression of interest opens / Thursday 20th May 2010
Expression of interest closes / Monday 7th June 2010 3pm
Ideas Workshop for prospective applicants / Friday 11th June 2010 10:45am-1pm
Application deadline / Thursday 24th June 2010 12pm
Selection panel meeting / Thursday 15th July 2010
Support meeting 1 / Thursday 9th September 2010 (11am-1pm)
Support meeting 2 / Thursday 30th September 2010 (11am-1pm)
Support meeting 3 / Thursday 21st October 2010 (11am-1pm)
Activities delivered / Between Saturday 23rd October 2010-Sunday 31st October 2010
Dissemination event during Beacon Summit Week / Tuesday 9th November 2010

Application Guidance Notes

Funding criteria

To be successfully funded your project activity must align with Manchester Beacon priorities and objectives:

1: Behavioural change

  • Public Engagement is encouraged, valued and supported
  • Change public perceptions of universities and make them more accessible for communities and the general public

2: Levels of engagement

  • Increasing the relevance of institution activity and connectivity with communities.
  • Improve opportunities for sustainable two-way learning

3: Partnerships and collaboration

Develop deeper partnership working across the Beacon partners and with the community

Successful projects will be expected to:

  • Attend the support meetings and delivery the activity before the end of the Manchester Science Festival
  • Provide evidence of costs (invoices, receipts…) and audience attendance
  • Participate in a dissemination opportunity on Tuesday 9th November 2010 as part of the Manchester Beacon Summit Week
  • As part of the Beacon Evaluation, by 19th November 2010 successful projects will be expected to provide:
  • A written project case study (using template provided by Manchester Beacon)
  • Promote the event via the Manchester Beacon website

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