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Applications Now Open: MPLS PCER Fellowships 2025–26 - Supporting Responsible Engagement and Impact

Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) Fellows support researchers and professional services staff to develop and deliver initiatives to embed PCER across their departments. Find out more about the scheme and how to apply.

Colleagues talking together © Andrew Bailey

Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 12 September 2025

Are you ready to lead the way in making engagement a meaningful and recognised part of your department's culture?

The MPLS PCER Fellows Scheme offers up to five fellowships with £4,000 funding each for researchers and professional services staff to develop strategic public and community engagement with research (PCER) initiatives that drive culture change, support REF readiness, and embed responsible research practices.

We’re particularly interested in projects that:

  • Support meaningful engagement and impact planning aligned with REF2029.
  • Create departmental strategies, tools, or processes that embed PCER.
  • Enhance career recognition for engagement contributions.
  • Build capacity through training, mentoring, or networks.
  • Improve how engagement outcomes are evaluated and evidenced.

What Fellows Receive:

  • Up to £4,000 funding for projects
  • Opportunities to build leadership and influence
  • A supportive network of peers and experts
  • Recognition for departmental-level contribution
  • Help aligning engagement with REF and ACRF

Eligibility:
Open to researchers and professional support staff at any career stage, including joint proposals from teams or departments.

What Did the 2024–25 Fellows Do?

To inspire future applicants, here are some of the ways 2024–25 Fellows tackled PCER challenges in their departments:

  • Chemistry: Designed a postdoc-led programme to grow PCER capacity across research groups, and explored mechanisms to recognise and celebrate good practice. The head of PER and Outreach undertook professional development activities. Read more here.
  • Materials: Developed and launched a departmental PCER strategy, and a dedicated module for students to embed engagement into teaching and practice.
  • Mathematics: Launched a pitch-style initiative for early career researchers to develop and fund their own engagement projects, boosting confidence and creativity.
  • Earth Sciences: Developed an ‘off-the-shelf’ kit and hands-on festival activities on seismic and acoustic waves, plus training to help others make use of and sustain the work.
  • Physics: Built tailored PCER training pathways for researchers at different stages, with strong support and evaluation frameworks.

Key Dates:

  • Application deadline: 12 September (via IRAMS)
  • Start date: 6 October
  • Kick-off session: 22 October
  • Interim meeting: 10 April 2026
  • Final reports due: 30 September 2026

Click here to download full scheme details.

Questions? Contact michaela.livingstone@mpls.ox.ac.uk