Researchers, would you like to be part of FUTURES 2026? Applications are now open for activities happening throughout the year – take a look below to find out more.  

 What is FUTURES? 

FUTURES 2026-27 is a festival of discovery that celebrates the research and innovation taking place in the West of England, and offers opportunities for over 275 researchers to participate in a wide range of public engagement events. Organised as part of Horizon Europe’s European Researchers’ Night, the festival is a platform for conversations about research and its relevance and importance to society. It aims to inspire children, families and adults to be curious, to consider some of the challenges we face today, and to invite them to reflect on how research might make the future brighter, and explore what kind of world we can create together.  

Why get involved? 

FUTURES is a unique opportunity to engage a broad public audience with your research. You’ll gain access to new audiences, raise awareness of your research, have conversations that may shape your research and its impact, and develop your skills and confidence in public engagement.   

When is FUTURES? 

FUTURES will take place in-person in September 2026, with online events throughout the year and more in-person events to come in 2027. 

FUTURES activities

We are looking for researchers to take part in the following activities.  

Discovery Day  

Saturday 26 September, 8:30-17:00 (open to the public 10:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00) 

“My daughter (7 years old) was really engaged in lots of the research…At the end she said ‘I don’t want to leave.’” Public attendee 

Showcase your research at this fun-packed day of hands-on activities, table-top games and displays. Aimed at families and adults, this is a chance for researchers and public audiences to meet, chat and discuss the latest discoveries. We are looking for interactive stalls that will engage a wide range of people – previous events have featured card games, demos, interactive displays, crafting, competitions and playful challenges. We can provide a standard set up of a 1.8m table and some floor space, and other configurations are possible (please discuss with the FUTURES team). Your idea does not need to be fully developed, as the FUTURES team will work with you to refine it. Discovery Day is a full and busy day and we recommend that you have a team of at least three people to enable you to deliver your activities, cover breaks and manage energy levels over the course of the day.  

Deadline for applications: Friday 29 May
Apply here: FUTURES 2026 Application form – Fill in form 

Discovery Talks  

Saturday 26 September, various times between 10:00 and 16:00 

Give an engaging, accessible and fun short talk that will run during Discovery Day. This is an opportunity to showcase your research or general research area, and to develop your skills and confidence in public speaking. Talks will be 15 minutes long, followed by time for questions, and for a family audience of up to 50 people. Talks will be repeated, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Bold PowerPoint images, props and interactive elements are all encouraged. Don’t worry if you don’t have a fully formed plan for a talk, the FUTURES team will work with you to develop your ideas and ensure the content is suitable for this family audience.   

Deadline for applications: Friday 29 May 
Apply here: FUTURES 2026 Application form – Fill in form 

I’m a Researcher, Ask Me Anything

Various dates and times at the end of September  

Explore and explain your research and what it’s like to be a researcher in a one-hour online chat-based question-and-answer event on social news website, Reddit. You can reach a large international audience from the comfort of your own home or office, all you need is a laptop and an hour of your time during the event and an extra 30 minutes a few days later. To find out more before applying email public-engagement@bath.ac.uk. 
Deadline for applications: 30 June 2026
Apply here: FUTURES 2026 Application form – Fill in form 

I’m a Scientist

Who can apply? 

Individual researchers, research teams and postgraduate research students in any discipline from the Universities of Bristol and Bath and Bath Spa University, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellows from across the UK, are encouraged to apply. FUTURES is open to those who are new to public engagement/FUTURES and to those who already have public engagement experience. The FUTURES team will endeavour to enable as many researchers as possible to take part in FUTURES, but places are limited. 

What support will I get? 

For individuals and groups applying to deliver a stall or talk at Discovery Day, we will provide: 

• Access to a collection of short online training modules produced by the University of Bristol’s Public Engagement Team, which introduce key concepts for researchers at any career stage, including ‘How to engage at Festivals and Fairs’. 

• Training sessions to help you design an engaging stall or talk, give you the skills to demonstrate the relevance of your research, and build your confidence in communicating with a wide range of public audiences. If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an online training session on Wednesday 17 June, 11:00-13:00, so please hold this time in your calendar.  

• Support from the FUTURES team, including all logistical support. 

• A modest budget is available for exhibit consumables, to be discussed with the FUTURES Team. 

Your application  

We recommend that you discuss your idea with a member of the FUTURES team, and/or attend an online information session, before submitting your application.   

Information sessions will take place on Teams at:  

• Thursday 7 May, 12:30-13:15 

• Wednesday 13 May, 12:30-13:15 

Please email futures-project@bristol.ac.uk to book onto one of the information sessions, or to arrange to speak with a member of the FUTURES team.  

How to apply 

If you’re interested in taking part in FUTURES 2026, please apply by filling out the relevant application form; you’ll find a link and information about the deadline at the end of each activity description above. 

Get in touch 

For any questions about FUTURES, your ideas, or for support in developing your application, please email futures-project@bristol.ac.uk.