FAMELAB NORTHWEST
TRAINING HUB
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE providing famelab training in england’s north west
THE 2026 APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN, SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE LINKS BELOW AND APPLY. WE’LL BE HOSTING TRAINING IN THE NEW YEAR FOR ALL OF OUR NORTH WEST APPLICANTS.
The University of Salford is delighted to be working in collaboration with University of Liverpool to be the FameLab North West Hub in 2026.
FameLab is the largest, public-facing, science communication competition and training programme in the world and is run by Cheltenham Science Festival.
Since its inception in 2001, Cheltenham Science Festival has established a track record of finding and developing new talent in communicating science and engineering to a wider public. FameLab builds on that informal work, using a high-profile national event to attract those with the potential to share their enthusiasm for science and technology.
Variations to the FameLab competition format are always evolving to make this competition the most important science communication competition in the world.
The main aim of FameLab is to encourage scientists including social scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to find their voices and inspire and excite the public imagination. (Please note that full time science communicators are not eligible to take part.)
Aims of FameLab
Encourage and enable science-related researchers to communicate their work with the public in an engaging and exciting way
Create an active, international community of science-related researchers who are confident and skilled in communicating their research with the public
Facilitate an international network of trainers and institutions sharing resources, best practice and opportunities to support science communication
Find and support the next generation of Cheltenham Science Festival speakers
In February, we will organise free, online training in communicating science to a live audience for scientists who want to improve their communication skills. In spring 2025 we will host regional heats and a regional final to select a North West winner.
Winners from each region will attend a FameLab Masterclass over two days in Cheltenham in May 2025. This training will be fully funded by Cheltenham Festivals including the cost of travel and accommodation for finalists. The National Final will then take place at Cheltenham Science Festival in June, 2025.
More details about the training and regional competition will be posted here as they become available.
Are you an early careers scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician, are passionate about STEM, and would like to share your work with the world?
Then apply now to part of FameLab UK, the largest, public facing, science communication competition and training programme in the world.
More Info: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/our-projects/famelab
Apply: https://cheltenhamfestivals.wufoo.com/forms/famelab-uk-2026-participant-application-form/
Get inspired by watching past FameLab presentations on Youtube, (8) FameLab - YouTube
IMPORTANT DATES
The winner of each UK region will be invited to two live events in Cheltenham. These events will be funded, organised and managed by the FameLab Team at Cheltenham Festivals.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 16 January, 2026.
* Welcome to the FameLab Family: Thursday 29 January 2026, 6pm, Zoom link to follow
* For regional competition dates, check with your Hub or visit our FameLab UK webpage.
* UK National Finalists Masterclass Weekend: 1 – 2 May 2026, Cheltenham
* UK National Final: Friday 5 June 2026, Cheltenham