Small grants, big impact: The Institute of Classical Studies’ seed funding scheme for public engagement

Abstract

This case study provides details of a small-grants scheme (delivered by the Institute of Classical Studies since 2018) which is designed to support researchers in classics and related subjects to undertake activities whereby they are able to share their research with non-specialist audiences (that is, people who do not already have an academic knowledge of the field in which they are researching). It outlines the practicalities of running such a scheme, describes the outcomes and impact which the scheme has had to date, and concludes by offering recommendations for organizations which may be considering setting up such a grant programme specifically to support public engagement with academic research. The lessons learned as a result of this scheme could be readily applied to other academic disciplines (particularly – but not limited to – those with an arts and humanities focus which share characteristics with classics) or institutional contexts.