We are now accepting proposals from universities to host the 2027 British Science Festival or beyond. 

Established in 1831, the British Science Festival is one of the leading, longest-standing science festivals in Europe. Organised and run by the British Science Association (BSA), the Festival takes place in a different city each year.

The BSA works with a host university in that city to showcase the best of their research.  The programme is aimed at adult audiences (aged 16+), and in particular people who are not actively engaged in science engagement activities and/or from backgrounds currently underrepresented in science.  

We have university hosts confirmed for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The British Science Festival 2024 will be hosted by the University of East London.

Through this Request for Proposals (RfP), we are seeking responses from universities who would be interested in bringing the Festival to their city in September 2027 or potentially beyond.  

We would like to hear from universities who share our commitment to equitable public engagement, from greater participation of communities in the design of the programme to highlighting speakers and performers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in science, and our ambition for taking an audience-led approach to content and locations.

All the details of what is involved in hosting the Festival, including information on how to make a proposal, the criteria for selection and the timelines involved can be requested by emailing [email protected]

We are hosting two webinar sessions as an opportunity for you to ask questions and meet the team on Thursday 22 February, 11.00 - 12.30 and Wednesday 6 March, 14.00 - 15.30, invites to which can be requested by emailing [email protected]

We will be asking interested institutions to make an Expression of Interest (i.e., indicate an intention to submit a proposal) by Friday 19 April 2024. Institutions will then have until Monday 1 July 2024 to submit a proposal.