Research Data Scotland – Public Engagement Fund

Grants are available for research organisations, charities, schools, museums and libraries, and other organisations across Scotland, to deliver projects and activities that promote public understanding of and participation in data research.

RDS is a not-for-profit charitable organisation created and funded by the Scottish Government and a partnership between leading universities and public bodies. Its vision is to advance health and social wellbeing in Scotland by simplifying access to public sector data. The Public Engagement Fund is provided and administered by RDS.

The fund aims to support projects that engage with people in data research and help the public understand the use of data in research. Funding is for projects and data-focussed activities that:

• Communicate the impact of data research.
• Showcase cutting-edge data research.
• Involve new audiences.
• Create new partnerships.

Projects will be assessed on the fund’s wider objectives, which are to:

• Widen participation by involving and engaging members of the public who may not usually interact with science, with the hope they take an interest and want to have a voice in data science.
• Bring together researchers and communities to shape data research approaches.
• Impact society, groups, and individuals.