Researchers’ Nights

Mad Boffins Gather At Dusk To Plot World Domination

That is precisely what Researchers’ Nights are not about. In fact, they set out to overcome some well-worn prejudices and bring the public at large a little closer to the world of research.

Every year, Researchers’ Nights are held right across Europe – currently on the fourth Friday in September.

The key element is meeting researchers in a pleasant environment. But the message is a serious one. Research is vital to us all. Marie Curie helps to fund Researchers’ Nights throughout Europe. The idea has caught on rapidly. In 2010, more than 250 cities and towns in 33 countries were involved.

Who can apply?

Researcher’s Night grants may be awarded to any legal body, established in an EU Member State or Associated Country, that is capable of organising a national or regional research community and is able to run events that can reach out to the public at large on the defined date in September. Researchers working in any field of research can apply. So can private and public research organisations, academics, companies, public authorities, schools, science museums, parent-teacher organisations, mobility centres, foundations, the media…

What can be funded?

More or less any action or event that boosts public awareness of the positive role of research in society.

What does the funding cover?

You can use the funding to cover any expenses linked to the organisation of a research outreach event. It can be spent on preparations and publicity as well as the event itself. Assessments of the event’s impact can also be paid for.

Grants cover a period of seven months. Their value varies in line with the scale of the events proposed.

Activities that can be supported include:

• hands-on experiments conducted by researchers
• scientific demonstrations by researchers with public participation
• guided visits of labs, research institutions and other relevant places that are usually closed to the public (particularly at night)
• “real” scientific experiments to be handled by the public
• workshops for children (build a robot, conduct a real experiment, help a researcher in solving a problem etc.)
• competitions (scientific quizzes, puzzles, photo and art contests etc.).

But that list is by no means exhaustive. Creativity is the key. To see what other people got up to on Researchers’ Night, check out http://ec.europa.eu/research/researchersineurope/events/events_en.htm

Who decides?

Your proposal will be judged by a panel of independent experts on its scientific and/or technological excellence, its quality, the efficiency of its implementation and management, and its potential impact through the development, dissemination and use of the results.

How do we apply?

All the rules, application forms, FAQs and other useful information are available on the Researchers in Europe site: http://ec.europa.eu/research/researchersnight/

For more information about Marie Curie Actions see: http://ec.europa.eu/mariecurieactions