Posted by Rosie Jennings on February 24th, 2025.
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Festival: Thursday 6–Saturday 15 November
Deadline (funded pathways): Thursday 10 April
Deadline (unfunded pathways): Friday 4 July
Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities. Each year, researchers and staff from universities and research organisations are invited to take part in this national festival by organising a public engagement event or activity, rooted in humanities research. This year’s festival will take place Thursday 6–Saturday 15 November with the theme ‘Between the Lines’.
Being Human is a place-based festival that emphasises interaction, collaboration and engaging with communities outside higher education. The festival supports innovative, participatory and creative activities that foster genuine, two-way connections with communities. You can get an idea of what the festival looks like, and the types of activities are supported, in their 2024 highlights film, and by reading the 2024 highlights blog.
How to Participate
There are three different ways to participate in the festival:
Funded pathways
- Institutional Grants: £4,000–£8,000 to organise a Festival Hub (Deadline: 10 April)
- Festival Event Grants: up to £4,000 to organise a single event or multiple events (Deadline: 10 April)
Please note: only applicants from UK Higher Education Institutions and AHRC-recognised IROs are eligible to receive these grants.
Unfunded pathway
- Festival Event: organise a festival event that does not require funding from Being Human (Deadline: 4 July)
Further details about how to apply, and answers to some frequently asked questions, are available on the Being Human website. Additionally, you can find out more about applying to the festival at an online information session taking place on Thursday 27 February, 14:00-15:00 GMT. Find out more and sign up here.
2025 Training Programme
Being Human Festival have organised a full training programme for 2025, with sessions running from February to October. This year’s offer includes new events on engagement and inclusion and creative engagement, alongside sessions on audiences, partnerships, promoting events and delivering events. The sessions are led by expert facilitators, alongside members of the Being Human Festival team.
This training is primarily aimed at those taking part, or thinking of taking part, in Being Human Festival, but will be of interest to those working in public engagement more broadly. All sessions are free and take place online, but booking is required. Find out more and book for individual sessions on the Training page.
You can also find Public Engagement Toolkits on the Being Human website. These downloadable PDF resources cover subjects including working with partners, delivering inclusive activities and finding the right format.
