Participatory Research Fund

The next round of funding will be in October 2025

Funding is regularly available to support you with participatory or co-produced research. Grants are funded via Research England’s Participatory Research funding allocation, whilst there is no strict maximum funding amount you can apply for, we expect most applications to be between £3,000-10,000.

For the purpose of this grant, we broadly define Participatory or Co-Produced Research as:

“Research being carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them.  It is an active partnership between members of the public with researchers that influences and shapes research.”

Participatory Research funding can be used to cover the costs of co-produced research or to run capacity-building activities such as: 

• Pilot projects using innovative models and methodologies for participatory research 
• The development of materials to support researchers interested in developing their skills in participatory research
• Public engagement activities that are related to participatory and co-produced research.

Below are some general examples in how the public can be involved in co-producing research on a practical level:

• As joint grant holders or co-applicants on a research project  
• To help identify and shape research priorities
• As members of a project advisory or steering group 
• In focus groups throughout the project to help direct outcomes
• Carrying out research as user and/or carer researchers.

To keep up to date with the next round of funding as well as the regular training sessions that we offer, join our Teams channel. 

Eligibility criteria

• All academic and academic-related staff, all researchers at postdoctoral level and above, and all postgraduate research students in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants must be in post until at least June 2026
• Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students cannot apply directly for this fund, as the focus is on researchers. However, activities involving these students will be considered for funding
• Projects must be completed by the end of June 2026
• The activities must engage with an audience outside of the University e.g. community groups, school students, families.  

Applications open in October 2025. If you have any questions or would like to discuss project ideas, please also contact HLSEngagement@liverpool.ac.uk.

Apply

Download the Participatory Research Funding application form 2025