The Royal Academy of Engineering is looking to encourage engineers to communicate their expertise and ideas to a wider audience.
The Academy has opened the fourth funding round for Ingenious, its public engagement grants programme, and is inviting applications until 19 November 2009.
“Ingenious funds creative ideas for projects which will inspire engineers to share their stories and passion for engineering and develop their communications skills," said Lesley Paterson, head of public engagement at the Academy.
"It also aims to create debate about the diversity of engineering and its impact on society," said Paterson.
Since the launch of the programme in 2006, the Academy has invested over £1m in 45 projects.
Two types of grant are available, from £3,000 to £30,000:
Public Engagement Grants challenge public engagement practitioners and engineers to communicate in new ways and provide engineers with practical experience of public engagement and/ or training to improve their skills.
Successful projects have included a photography competition from Engineers Without Borders UK and an adaptation of the Royal Institution’s established Mathematics Masterclasses into Engineering Masterclasses – as study workshops for teenagers which are developed and run by engineers.
Public Engagement Fellowships allow individual engineers to explore the societal, ethical or cultural impact of their field of work, broaden and strengthen their existing public engagement skills and knowledge, and raise their profile by reaching new audiences. Funding can cover salary, training courses and research costs.
This year’s Public Engagement Fellow was awarded to Dr David James, Sheffield Hallam University, to explore the societal and ethical impact of sports engineering advances.