[Alzheimer's Research UK](https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research)

September 2026 (seed fund, projected)

Up to £5,000 per seed fund project (typically 4–6 awards per round; project duration up to 12 months)

Supports creative public engagement projects connecting underserved UK communities with brain health and dementia risk reduction.

Highly competitive (approx. 10% success rate); UK-based projects and applicants only.

--- ## Description The Inspire Fund, offered by Alzheimer's Research UK, provides small grants to support innovative projects that engage underserved UK communities with the topic of brain health and reducing the risk of dementia. The scheme is designed to foster new partnerships and creative public engagement approaches, with a particular emphasis on minority ethnic, marginalized, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Funded projects should aim to build knowledge, encourage positive behaviour change, and inspire open conversations around dementia risk reduction. The fund is open to a broad range of applicants, including researchers, community groups, artists, and those responsible for cultural spaces. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Application deadline for seed fund (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Seed fund grants: Up to £5,000 per project - Typically 4–6 projects funded per round - Project duration: up to 12 months - Follow-on funding (for past grant holders): Up to £20,000 (see program page for details) --- ## Eligibility - Open to individuals and organizations based in the UK; lead applicants and funded activity must be UK-based. - Strongly encouraged: collaborative applications, especially those led by community groups or organizations. - Eligible applicants include: - Dementia researchers - Community groups or leaders - Artists and creative organizations - Managers of cultural spaces (e.g., museums, libraries) - Projects **must**: - Engage underserved audiences (e.g., minority ethnic, marginalized, or socioeconomically disadvantaged groups) - Build knowledge and understanding of brain health (in the context of dementia risk reduction) and explore ways to encourage behaviour change - Projects **will not** be funded if they: - Are primarily research-focused - Take place outside the UK - Provide dementia care/front-line services (including arts therapy) - Further commercial interests or are part of an organization’s usual activities --- ## Application Process - Application is via an online form (available on the program webpage during the call). - Applicants should prepare: - A concise project outline (up to 800 words), covering aims, outcomes, target audience, need, and partnerships. - Budget details and justification. - Plan for evaluation and impact measurement. - Reviewers assess applications against: - Alignment with core criteria (underserved audiences, brain health focus) - Defined outputs/outcomes and clear rationale for target audience - Evaluation strategy - Cost effectiveness and realistic planning - Evidence of partnership/collaboration - Highly competitive: recent rounds have funded 4–6 seed projects from ~90 applications (approx. 10% success rate). - Notification of outcomes typically within 8 weeks of the application deadline. --- ## Additional Information - Grants cover direct project costs (staff, materials, participant costs, essential equipment, travel, accessibility, evaluation, etc.). - Cannot be used for costs outside the UK, pre-existing activities, capital/emergency funding, or personal bank accounts. - Projects are expected to last up to 12 months; most successful projects run 6–12 months. - Final evaluation report and budget records required for grant close-out. - Information webinar recordings and FAQs are available on the program webpage. --- ## External Links - [Inspire Fund program page](https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/grants/inspire-fund) - [FAQs](https://alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for-researchers/grant-schemes/inspire-fund/faqs/) - [Terms and Conditions (PDF)](https://alzheimersresearchuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Inspire-Fund-terms-and-conditions.pdf) - [Funded projects (examples)](https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for-researchers/grant-schemes/inspire-fund/funded-projects-2024/) - [Information webinar (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2yZ89yIvBo) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [research@alzheimersresearchuk.org](mailto:research@alzheimersresearchuk.org) | | Public Engagement | [engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org](mailto:engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org) | | Phone | 0300 111 5555 | | Web Resources | [Researcher resources and information](https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for-researchers/resources-and-information/) | ---

Inspire Fund – public engagement grant

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