Public engagement and crowdfunding in health research: a practical guide

Public engagement is increasingly recognized as an important part of science. Robust community involvement can spur innovation, meaningfully connect with local communities and improve health outcomes. Recognizing this change, many major science funders now require public engagement in research studies. How can we organize more effective public engagement in research? In addition, how can this engagement drive crowdfunding for research? We define crowdfunding as the process of engaging large groups of people who make monetary and non-monetary contributions to a research study. These two questions have inspired a new practical guide on public engagement and crowdfunding in research. This practical guide provides tools, open access resources and advice for researchers, especially those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The practical guide was developed by a group of stakeholders and experts convened by TDR, the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. The project was organized by TDR Global, SIHI (Social Innovation in Health Initiative) and SESH (Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health).