New fund to connect Highland and Island communities with research professionals

Posted on 11 February 2021 by Christie McAlpine

The newly launched Ideas Fund is currently connecting with communities across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland who are interested in building relationships with researchers to develop and try out ideas which address local issues around Mental Wellbeing.

Led by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome, the fund will be supporting early-stage ideas up to £25,000 and larger projects up to £90,000 for community-led activities in Highland Council, Moray Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands and Argyll and Bute Council areas along with the Isles of Arran and Cumbrae.

Who is this For?

The Ideas Fund is especially keen to hear directly from groups who are marginalised through rurality, socioeconomic or ethnic background, Disability and/or other under-represented characteristics.

Organisations will need to show that you already have a relationship with the community you want to work with. You will also need to demonstrate that your idea focuses on an issue the community itself wants to address.

You do not need to have established links with researchers, fully-developed idea or experience of writing grants at this stage. There will be webinars, regional workshops and tailored support available to guide applicants with eligible ideas to develop this further and build relevant connections before the application form opens in mid-April and closes at midday on 14 May 2021.

Find out more

You can find out more about the Ideas Fund on the website, sign up to keep updated and register for the webinars and regional workshops.