Culture Scheme

Build the skills, talent and pathways that nuclear innovation needs

Culture is about people. It creates fair access to skills, confidence and opportunity helping individuals and communities to connect with real jobs, learning and careers linked to nuclear innovation and decommissioning. It is an opportunity to take research out into the real world and see what else it could become.

It gives researchers a chance to work beyond academic boundaries, testing ideas with educators, employers and communities, shaping skills and talent pipelines. It’s a chance to build new partnerships and create conditions for future collaboration and innovation. By participating, researchers can:

build early stage relationships with industry, SME’s, educators and community partners
develop evidence of engagement, skills development and social benefit
contribute to inclusive innovation and workforce development without needing a defined project or consortium.

What Culture activity looks like

Culture activity might include:

co-developed skills workshop or training linked to research and workforce needs
events that bring researchers together with educators, employers and communities
short pieces of work that test how research connects people, place and skills
activities that generate evidence, learning and relationships for future collaboration

Who can take part

Culture funding is open to:

academic researchers and research groups
universities and research organisations
educators and skills providers
SME’s, employers and supply chain organisations
community, civic and voluntary organisations

How ACORN can help

The ACORN team is here to help you get started. We connect people and organisations across Cumbria and Oxfordshire, bringing together researchers, educators, employers, community groups and others who want to be involved. Whether you have a clear idea or are just curious we can help you explore opportunites, make connections and find the right next steps.

Get in touch with the ACORN team to start the conversation.

Contact ACORN

Culture Scheme FAQ

What does Culture Activity Support?

Culture activity supports skills, confidence and inclusive pathways into nuclear innovation. It focuses on helping people and organisations connect, build capacity and explore opportunities through training, outreach, events and shared learning.

Activities are short, flexible and designed to fit alongside existing commitments. They can be discrete activities or run up to 12 months in duration.

What types of funding are available in the Culture Scheme

There are two ways that Culture activities can be supported:

Awards (up to £10K) – for small, quick-start activities such as workshops, outreach or early ideas
Larger activities (up to £20K) – for more structured activity such as a programme, partnership or skills focused initiatives

Both are designed to be accessible, proportionate and easy to get started.

What can the funding be used for?

Culture funding can support activities such as:

skills workshops and training sessions
community-based events and outreach
activities linking education, employers and local communities
inititives that build awareness of careers, pathways and opportunities
programmes that support inclusion and widen participation

The focus is on building skills, confidence and opportunity.

Do I need to have a project or partnership in place?

No! Culture activities are designed to be open and easy to access. You don’t need:

a formal project
an existing partnership
prior experience

If you have an idea or want to get involved the ACORN team will help you shape it and connect with others.

Culture Scheme

Build the skills, talent and pathways that nuclear innovation needs

What Culture activity looks like

Who can take part