Tap into the power of 'if'
The Ideas Fund is a grants programme run by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome, which enables the UK public to develop and try out ideas that address problems related to mental wellbeing by working with researchers.
Bring your ideas to life
If you have an idea that you think could help address a particular need in your community that relates to mental wellbeing and are keen to collaborate with researchers, we want to hear from you.
The scheme has been designed to test a new way of funding that connects communities with researchers to access knowledge, research skills and resources. We brought together community members, researchers and public engagement professionals and designed a fund together that is...
- Place-based
- Focused on mental wellbeing
- Committed to funding ideas with potential
For the story so far of The Ideas Fund, click here.
We are currently closed for applications.
Latest
How peer research can have a big impact for local communities: A Q&A with Melody from Garelochhead Station Trust, and Christian from Men Behaving Dadly
Melody and Christian sat down with us to talk about their experiences of doing peer research in their communities, as part of The Ideas Fund. Melody is part of Garelochhead Station Trust, a charity that supports veterans, their families and the wider community in a rural community in Scotland. Christian is from Men Behaving Dadly, a group that supports Dad’s in Oldham to connect with their children through play.
Introducing The Ideas Fund Impact Framework
In our recent announcement about the The Ideas Fund being extended for a further three years, we shared that the next phase of our work will include an increased emphasis on gathering evidence and sharing best practice about community-led partnerships with researchers.
Harnessing the power of exercise for addiction recovery: A Q&A with Gary from ARC Fitness
One of the projects supported by The Ideas Fund is ARC Fitness, an organisation based in Derry, Northern Ireland, that offers practical support for people struggling with addiction and promotes healthy and sustainable recoveries through exercise and positive lifestyle choices. The project collaborated with two researchers, Dr Leanne Doherty and Dr Clare Puddifoot from Ulster University to conduct research into gender-specific recovery programmes. We spoke to ARC Founder Gary Rutherford, who told us all about the research, what it’s like being part of The Ideas Fund and more.