Small Grants for Big Ideas

Darwin College invites applications for its new grant-based programme, Small Grants for Big Ideas.

The programme will provide Darwin’s students, Fellows, and alumni with funding to pilot new ideas and innovations aimed at addressing global challenges. The grants will be provided to teams working on shared projects, and will be awarded on a competitive basis.

In 2026, three teams will be awarded grants of up to £25,000 each.

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Who can form a team?

  • Project teams should consist of at least three people and no more than six. Teams should be predominantly made up of members of the Darwin community, including current Darwin students, Darwin Fellows, and/or Darwin alumni.
  • Teams may include one member from outside the Darwin community if they bring additional expertise that is needed, but at least three members must be Darwinians.
  • While teams that include at least one student, one Fellow, and one alum are encouraged, other team combinations are also welcome to apply. For example, teams may consist of just students, just Fellows, or students and Fellows (among other combinations).
  • Darwin will help to support team formation for those who would like to get involved but need to find team members. To help connect participants, Darwin will hold a networking event in College from 6-7pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026  in the Bradfield Room, as well as an online networking event for alumni from 1-2pm on Thursday 12 March. Additionally, those who complete this form by 20 March 2026 will be connected with others who are also looking to form a team.
  • Recognising that global challenges cannot be addressed through any single perspective and instead require interdisciplinary approaches, Darwin strongly encourages cross-disciplinary teams that bring together participants from different academic backgrounds or areas of expertise.

What kinds of projects can enter?

  • Projects must be, in some way, aimed at addressing global challenges. The programme adopts a deliberately broad definition of this term, to avoid the inadvertent exclusion of important, but as-yet-unconsidered issues. Examples might include climate change, sustainability, migration, health, AI, inequality, or conflict, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.
  • Projects could involve, but are certainly not limited to: research, a pilot programme, a prototype, a new methodology for tackling a global challenge, a community intervention.
  • The programme is a ‘kick-start’ opportunity for participants to test and expand their ideas. Innovation and ambition are encouraged and there is no expectation for the ‘complete success’ of any single project. They should, however, have the potential to make a real impact in addressing global challenges.

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What is the timeline?

Activity Date
Applications open 27 February 2026
In-College Q&A and networking event 11 March 2026, 6-7pm
Online Q&A for alumni 12 March 2026, 1-2pm
Deadline for those without a team to submit team formation form 20 March 2026
Applicants without a team notified of team allocation 27 March 2026
Applications close 15 May 2026
Applications evaluated by Panel of Judges Mid to late May 2026
Applicants notified of outcome Early June 2026
Successful applicants undertake project work June to October 2026
Teams provide progress update August 2026
Deadline for completion of projects 31 October 2026
Teams present work to Panel of Judges and submit project report November 2026

 

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How do I apply?

  • To apply, one member of your team should fill out this application form.
  • In the application form you will be asked to outline your main idea, your proposed implementation methods, a simple budget, and ideas for how you might gain additional funding or support from another source (eg a research council or donor) in the future if your project idea proved successful.

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What is the background of the programme?

When Darwin published its Strategic Plan in 2022, the College stated that it was “committed to a sustainable future, and to contributing to solving global challenges.”

To realise this aim, Darwin has created a number of programmes intended to equip its community to make a difference and turn ideas into lasting change.  Small Grants for Big Ideas is one such programme.

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What are the benefits of getting involved?

  • For Darwin Fellows and students, this is an excellent opportunity to learn how to translate ideas around addressing global challenges into projects with impact, particularly as you will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from practitioner alumni. The programme will also help you to build skills and connections that include and extend beyond academia.
  • For alumni, the programme offers you a chance to engage with cutting-edge research around global challenges, meet potential future collaborators, reconnect with the College community, and mentor the next generation of changemakers by sharing your professional experience.

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