Open Call

Applications for the 2026 Open Call are now closed.

Each year we invite invite artists, researchers, community activists, critical thinkers, industry partners, charities and beyond- from across disciplinary backgrounds- to submit proposals for events, activities or installations for the British Science Festival.

The British Science Festival will take place across the city of Southampton from the 16 – 20 September 2026, and will be hosted by the University of Southampton.

The British Science Festival celebrates science in its broadest sense. The programme showcases cutting-edge science, technology and ideas that challenge, inspire and excite audiences. Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate the latest developments in research and to engage in open discussion about the impacts of science on our lives and cultures.

As a Festival geared towards non-specialist young adults (16-30 years old), we particularly welcome creative content that challenges perceptions of what science is and demonstrates the relevance of science to the lives of our audiences. The majority of events in the  programme will use participatory formats- such as workshops, performances, installations and walking tours- and will take place outside of a traditional lecture-theatre setting. We will programme a limited number of talks and panel discussions.

The Festival is free and open to all, but content should be tailored to an adult (16+) audience.

The target audiences for the British Science Festival are:

  • Non-specialist young adults (16-30 years old), particularly from groups underserved and underrepresented in science
  • Those with broad interest in science but don’t actively seek to engage with it
  • Those who might not self-identify as interested in science, but who are interested in cultural experiences (e.g., music, technology, films, fashion etc) or have a personal connection to a particular field of science (e.g., gardening, sports, mental health, accessibility technology, etc)

Applications for 2026 are now closed. 

If you wish to prepare your answers before submitting your form, you can download a Word copy here: 

We cannot accept filled-in versions of this Word copy as event proposal submissions. Event proposals need to be submitted via the MS Forms link above.

Before developing and submitting your proposal, we highly encourage you to read our FAQs below.

If you are having technical or accessibility issues with the link or would like to submit your responses using an alternative format, please contact us.

If you have any other questions, or if you would like to discuss your proposal, please email [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the date and location of the Festival?
The British Science Festival will take place across the city of Southampton from the 16 – 20 September 2026, and will be hosted by the University of Southampton. Exact venues and locations will be selected and confirmed in Spring of 2026. In previous years, we have hosted events in cultural venues, shopping centres, community venues and university campuses.

We welcome proposals that could be hosted outdoors or in other public spaces. We will work with successful proposals to ensure all events/activities/installations are programmed into an appropriate venue.

What time will my event take place?
We anticipate the overall programme to start as early as 10.00 and finish as late as 22.30 each day. The start time and duration of each event will depend on its format, as well as which part of the wider British Science Festival programme it is scheduled under (e.g. daytime events, evening takeovers etc). We typically run each event for one of the Festival days only. You will be asked to indicate your availability in the proposal form.

What kind of audience should my event be aimed at?
The Festival is free and open to all, but content should be tailored to an adult (16+) audience.
The target audience for the programme is:

  • Non-specialist young adults (16-30 years old), particularly from underserved and underrepresented groups in science
  • Those with a broad interest in science but don’t actively seek to engage with it
  • Those who might not self-identify as interested in science, but who are interested in cultural experiences (e.g., music, technology, films, fashion etc) or have a personal connection to a particular field of science (e.g., gardening, sports, mental health, accessibility technology, etc)

Please note that the British Science Festival does not programme events specifically designed for children, schools pre-16, or families.

Do I have to be a scientist to propose an event?
No, anyone can propose an event and the Festival celebrates science in its broadest sense.

What length should my event be?
Event duration is flexible depending on the format. Talks and panel discussions must be no longer than one hour and we tend to run workshops for up to one hour, with exceptions made on a case by case basis.

Is there budget available?
The British Science Festival has a limited pot of funding available for selected events. We prioritise funding for events which work with communities underrepresented in science and are led by freelance or unwaged practitioners.

We encourage proposal applicants to pursue alternative funding opportunities where possible. Please contact us before submitting your proposal if significant funding from the British Science Festival is essential to the delivery of your event.

Can I get sponsorship or fundraise for my event?
Please contact us before applying for any sponsorship or fundraising to discuss the possibilities.

What kind of content are you looking for?
We are looking for events and installations that showcase cutting-edge science, celebrate the latest developments in science and technology and engage audiences in open discussion about relevant issues that affect culture and society. We welcome creative content that challenges perceptions of what science is. The event you propose can be a new idea, in-development or existing events that are ready to go.

We’re looking for proposals that span a diverse range of subjects encompassing science in the broadest sense and welcome applications from all disciplines including STEM subjects, social science, arts and humanities. We are looking for thought provoking events that offer new perspectives on scientific topics and stimulate discussion. We love humour, provocation, speculation, and unexpected ideas that entertain people first and then start a conversation. We value projects that are simple in their invitation, opening the door for complex debate and ongoing enquiry. The British Science Festival is all about making science relevant, representative and connected to society and we’d like to see that reflected in your content.

What type of event formats are you looking for?
We are primarily looking for participatory formats that provide opportunities for audiences to immerse themselves in the subject. Participatory formats typically take place outside of a traditional lecture-theatre setting and allow us to engage audiences who would not typically go to a traditional science event. Participatory approaches could include interactive workshops that facilitate two-way conversations or creativity, tactile exhibits, walking tours, or beyond.

We will be able to consider a small number of proposals for talks, only where there is a particular reason why this would be the most appropriate format (e.g. the researcher will be addressing a particularly sensitive subject matter), so please make sure to clearly outline your reasoning if you submit a proposal for a talk.

Previous Festivals have included dance classes, jewellery workshops, stand-up, musical performances, live experiments,  Living Action Roleplay workshops and beyond. Here are a few examples of events from previous years:

  • Decolonising Medicine: Travelling Through Time
    Explore the hidden narratives of medical knowledge and its entanglement with colonialism and injustice. Musarrat Maisha Reza reveals the untold stories that shape our understanding. Join the conversation and envision a future of equitable healthcare systems.
  • Sculptural snogging beyond the binary
    This creative workshop will delve into the art and science of our mouths, kissing, sexual health and what it means to live beyond binary genders. Working with Simon Hall, Artist and GP from the University of Bristol, you’ll create both digital and physical sculptures and modify them to reflect your perception of gender.
  • Mudder on the seafloor
    Explore the hidden wonders beneath the ocean’s surface. Join the Convex Seascape Survey for a hands-on adventure in the mud, discovering fascinating marine life and its impact on the environment. Enjoy sea-inspired cocktails and unleash your creativity with colourful mud art.
  • Micro to macro: Science meets film
    Explore science through cinema in an interactive workshop that takes in the minuscule and the massive. Let’s Make Film will guide you through different filmmaking techniques. Try out microscopes and macro lenses and experience with framing, focus, lighting and perspective.

To browse more events previously programmed at the British Science Festival, please see the 2025 programme. 

What spaces and technical support is available to deliver BSF events?
As the Festival is based in a different city each year, we host events in different venues each year. As such, we can not provide specifics about space and technical requirements at this stage. If your proposal format requires specific space or technical requirements, please outline these in your proposal and we’ll work with successful applicants to explore how we can accommodate these requests.

Will you support the development of my event?
We are happy to advise on the details of your event to tailor it to the British Science Festival audience and aims. While we will support your event development, please be aware that you are responsible for finding co-facilitators/speakers for your event and ensuring that any events you propose are fully organised by spring 2026, in time for the Festival programme to go live.

If your proposal is successful, you will:

  • have one to one sessions with a member of the Festival team to help you finalise the details of your idea
  • be sent a speakers form, logistics form and risk assessment to fill out. Your event cannot go ahead without completion of these documents.

As part of the Festival programme, we will also support with the promotion of your event through our comms and marketing plan.

When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for Open Call applications is 23.59 on 22 January 2026.

When will I find out if my event has been accepted?
We will be in touch in mid-to-late February.

Will journalists be invited to my event?
There is a strong media presence at the Festival. If accepted, we will ask for more detailed information about your speakers that will be provided to the media.

Is accommodation provided?
No, you will need to organise this yourself, but we can provide you with a list of local hotels with preferential rates.

Is travel provided?
No, you will need to organise your own travel.

What onsite assistance will I receive during the Festival?
Refreshments will be available during the Festival. Festival staff will assist with the operation of your event, including AV support, queue management and distribution of Festival evaluation forms.

Please note that our staff members will not be able to help you facilitate your event’s content; you will need to source your own assistants/volunteers for hands-on help with the event’s activities.

The British Science Festival will not:

  • Support on-the-day delivery of your event’s content. While we will ensure that the pre-agreed infrastructure is in place and that there’s staff on hand to help with crowd management and logistical trouble-shooting, we are unable to be involved with the direct delivery of your event’s content. You will need to make your own arrangements if you require staffing support for the set up and delivery of your event.
  • Source/produce every item you need for your event and take over the planning of all the logistical aspects of your event, beyond the reasonable infrastructure available at each venue. We will talk about responsibilities when we meet, but you will be expected to look after the production of non-standard requirements for your event.

How do I submit a proposal?
Please complete the proposal form by 23.59 on 22 January 2026.

What is the Festival’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)?
The Festival is organised by the British Science Association (BSA). The BSA’s vision is a future where science is more relevant, representative, and connected to society. For the BSA’s vision to come to fruition, we need to see science relating to those from all areas of society, including those who are currently least engaged. We need to be able to engage with people in groups that are poorly represented in science, and that’s why EDI will be central to our activities.

We recognise that in many settings, at the BSA and beyond, EDI can be seen as an add-on or ‘fix’ to the regular work. Our aim is for EDI to be the heart of everything we do. For more information about the BSA’s EDI commitment, find out about our 10 year strategy and our EDI objectives for the next 10 years.