The Public Engagement Fund supports projects that bring people and data together.
Initially piloted in 2022-23, the RDS Public Engagement Fund supports projects that bring people and data together.
Due to considerable interest and impact from the pilot fund, a second round of funding was launched, with £30,000 available to support projects in 2025-26. After reviewing all applications, a total of £34,315 has been awarded to five projects across Scotland.
Katie Oldfield, RDS Public Engagement Manager, said: “We are delighted to support these five projects to connect people and data across Scotland in exciting and innovative ways.”
New for this year, a portion of the total fund has been ringfenced for a pilot community fund, supporting a community organisation to engage people in data research. In addition to funding, the community project will be further assisted through guidance from RDS professionals.
The aims of the Public Engagement Fund are to:
RDS is considering options for the Public Engagement Fund in 2026 and beyond, and we welcome discussions with any organisations who would be interested in collaborating with us on it. Please contact us to speak to a member of the team.
Led by: Greater Govanhill CIC
Funding awarded: £9,650
The Greater Govanhill CIC team will equip participants with journalism skills to dig into data around issues that they care about, and to tell these stories in their free community magazine.
Led by: The SCONe project, University of Edinburgh
Funding awarded: £6,925
The SCONe project team will work with the public to break down complex data concepts into tangible examples to explore the implications of using – or not using – health data in research.
Led by: Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh
Funding awarded: £7,927
Focusing on new data about sibling relationships of care experienced young people, the project team aims to create a dialogue between care experienced young people and data analysts/researchers.
Led by: University of Stirling
Funding awarded: £3,841
Researchers will lead workshops with Polish people living in Aberdeen to explore their perspectives on data science, using LEGO to break down language barriers.
Led by: Generation Scotland
Funding awarded: £5,970
Generation Scotland - Scotland’s largest family health and wellbeing study - is developing resources for use in schools to engage young people in discussions around health and data research.
The 2022-23 round of the Public Engagement Fund was a pilot to test interest and evaluate proposed projects.
A total of £56,856 was awarded to projects that help widen participation by involving and engaging members of the public.
Related content
Research Data Scotland (RDS) has awarded over £34,000 to five projects through its Public Engagement Fund in 2025-26.
15 Jan 2025
Public Engagement Manager, Katie Oldfield, reflects on our 2022-23 Public Engagement Fund and the impact of the projects it has supported.
Katie Oldfield
11 Mar 2024
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