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.

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.

Learn more

We offer early stage grants of up to £25,000 and larger grants of around £90,000 in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, Hull, North West Northern Ireland, and Oldham.

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

Applications to The Ideas Fund are currently closed. You can read more about our learning from the application process during the first round here. We recently announced the successful projects from the first round of applications. You can read the full list here.

Never Alone

One of the projects funded in the first round will be delivered by Oldham Athletic Community Trust. The project is designed to connect retired or nearly retired Oldham Athletic football fans through sharing memories, walking and watching classic matches. Researchers will support project development and provide insights on maintaining memory and wellbeing.

OPEN Space Project

Another project which has received funding will be run by Voluntary Action Shetland.

OPEN Space Project conducts youth-led research and analysis on the creation of a new safe space for young people in Lerwick, where they can come together, and feel a sense of belonging and ownership. Their work focuses on peer education and mentoring plus they run an emotional wellbeing and resilience project and Café. The researchers will be involved in training and supporting young people.