Public Engagement Scheme

The Society for Renaissance Studies has established a funding scheme for Public Engagement ('Knowledge Exchange' or 'Impact-activities'). Bids can be made to support any form of public engagement for Renaissance studies, broadly construed. The Society's understanding of public engagement is that a major effort to communicate beyond the academy can be demonstrated, and/or that the event will reach a public not consisting primarily of academics. This includes, but is not limited to Impact activities, under REF criteria. The deadline is 1st April each year.

The committee will privilege creativity in the events proposed. Applications stand a better chance of being funded if their plans are in a relatively advanced state. Preference may be given to institutions otherwise under-represented in SRS conference grant funding. We will not, generally, fund activities that are directly a part of other festivals or organizations.

There will be one call per year (1st April deadline) at which the entire amount is distributed. Bids will ordinarily be limited to £1,000, but a case may be made for larger amounts. This scheme will be overseen by the SRS Conference Committee.
Ordinarily, the funding must be for events to take place within fifteen months of the application.
Applications will be accepted from members of the Society, regardless of whether they hold a full time academic post, and from applicants at all stages of their careers.

Holders of the award must credit the Society for Renaissance Studies in any publicity or publications associated with the event and submit a short report on the event to the Editors of the SRS Bulletin, for inclusion in a future issue, where appropriate.

Please use the application form on the website - applications should give details of the event, the nature of the public engagement, a statement describing the proposed audience or beneficiaries, an outline of how any grant will be spent and details of any other source of funding. Where the applicant is a postgraduate, a brief reference from a member of staff at their institution should be sent to the conference officer.

We are unable to advise or give feedback on applications.

When claiming funding, you should provide a clear and detailed account to the Treasurer of how the money has been spent, together with an original receipt from your institution, confirming it has received the money. Cheques will be made out to institutional (not personal) accounts, after the Treasurer has verified this statement.

Enquiries should be made to the publc engagement officer, Dr John Gallagher: J.Gallagher1@leeds.ac.uk