Engagement Fund

The Engagement Fund will have two rounds in the 2026-27 academic year, with round deadlines as follows:  

• 5pm, Friday 30th October 2026 
• 5pm, Friday 29th January 2027 

Any applications received after the round one deadline will automatically be considered for the second round. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within four weeks of the application deadline.  

Steps:

1. Read the Application Guidance: CPE Engagement Fund Guidance - 2026-27_updated 071026.pdf [PDF 316KB]
2. Attend the Engagement Fund webinar (24 September), or watch the recording (email engagement@qmul.ac.uk for the link to the recording)
3. Complete the Application form template: CPE Engagement Fund Application Form Template 2026-27.docx [DOC 87KB]
4. Use the online Microsoft form to submit your application: Engagement Fund Application Form 2026-27 – Fill out form

Your project must closely align to one of the Fund's strategic themes. You will be asked to select your chosen theme in the application form. 

• Skills and inclusive growth* 
  • For example, skills development, youth opportunity and social mobility, employability and careers, entrepreneurship and innovation 
• Health equity, wellbeing and inclusion 
  • For example, health inequalities, social determinants of health, neighbourhood health, healthy ageing, disability inclusion and accessibility, women’s health, digital health and health technology 
• Innovative and creative engagement 
  • Novel and particularly creative approaches to engagement, including piloting new methods and formats 
  • For example, hands-on creative workshops, collaborations with artists and practitioners, and performances. e.g. a walking tour with food tasting, comedy and cabaret nights, pottery workshop etc. 
• Technology and innovation for engaged futures 
  • For example, digital inclusion, AI and society, data, information and trust, future skills and emerging technologies 

*Inclusive growth means economic development that delivers benefits fairly across all communities, ensuring that people—regardless of background, place, or circumstance—can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic activity. It focuses on reducing inequalities, improving access to opportunities, and creating long term social, environmental and economic value for local residents, businesses, and organisations.  

Lead applicants must be current staff or students at Queen Mary, with a course or contract end date no sooner than 31 July 2027. Applications are welcomed from staff at all career stages, and PhD students. Undergraduate and Masters students are not eligible to apply for this funding. 

Lead applicants must be the individuals who will be responsible for delivering the project and subsequent reporting. External applicants can apply to the scheme (i.e. community groups) as co-applicants alongside Queen Mary staff or students on projects.  

To ensure all applications engage external groups with Queen Mary research, teaching, or services, all submissions must have at least one applicant from within the University who will be held responsible for assisting the delivery of the projects and reporting on outcomes. 

The CPE will hold a webinar introducing the Engagement Fund on Thursday 24th September 2026, 12pm-1pm, which will talk through eligibility criteria for the fund, how to apply, and what we're looking for (including priorities for funding). 

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/380921280670180?p=ZTyXP69BGZoxh90zb3  
• Meeting ID: 380 921 280 670 180  
• Passcode: X5Rr7un7 

If you miss this session or are unable to attend, a recording will be made available (please email engagement@qmul.ac.uk for a link). 

The CPE will run a series of Engagement Fund Drop-In Advice Sessions where applicants’ questions will be addressed on a first come first served basis. The team will be able to help refine, shape, and strengthen proposals, as well as discussing practical considerations for project delivery. There is no need to register for a specific session, just save the Teams link in your diary and show up. Drop-In Session dates are: 

Tuesday 6 October, 2026, 12pm-1pm

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/380177839092221?p=Y6qdZUPgQIMyKVCzlV  
• Meeting ID: 380 177 839 092 221  
• Passcode: w3db6jx2 

Wednesday 14 October, 4pm-5pm

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/385739413057329?p=nW06NzQxOQRG8ypZKf  
• Meeting ID: 385 739 413 057 329  
• Passcode: oX9fq3A7 

Monday 26 October 2026, 3pm-4pm 

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/323490966789620?p=K9bCKBNy0BX7D73mu8  
• Meeting ID: 323 490 966 789 620  
• Passcode: KV766SY7 

Thursday 17 December 2026, 12pm-1pm

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/324172695093992?p=Hdk5FITvigtYIvhtqQ  
• Meeting ID: 324 172 695 093 992  
• Passcode: Ry6cG9Kj 

 Wednesday 13 January 2027, 2pm-3pm 

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/364489621400306?p=B6Fz1n4DtBpyoPIyzc  
• Meeting ID: 364 489 621 400 306  
• Passcode: Y8Gn6Vp3 

Monday 25 January 2027, 10am-11am 

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/391250782394461?p=9p523cXPzGP82H3pDv  
• Meeting ID: 391 250 782 394 461  
• Passcode: iH3ks26Q

Please find some FAQs available here: Engagement Fund FAQs.pdf [PDF 53KB]