When applying for grants (particularly European grants), it is important to understand the differences between Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation. Although in some instances they overlap, for the most part they are separate entities with distinct activities.  

Disseminate: These types of activities are usually targeted towards the academic audience (but can also include wider stakeholders) and are carried out when the project has some kind of result, e.g., typically towards the end of the project but can also include protocols and methods papers. Dissemination activities can include research papers, conference presentations, adding data to public datasets.  

Communicate: These activities usually include getting your message out to wide audiences, like the public, media and policymakers. These activities are done throughout the life of a project and activities might include setting up a project website, using social media to give project updates, hosting an in-person event, article in a magazine, talking on a podcast. 

Exploit: These activities are done towards the end of the project and are focused on sharing the research findings with industry and/or policymakers. Its aim is to translate project results into concrete solutions. Activities could focus on commercial, societal or political outputs e.g., developing a prototype or software, publishing a white paper.  

Impact

Impact refers to the effect that research has beyond academia—whether that’s shaping policy, inspiring communities, or contributing to a more sustainable future. 

To support your journey, we have brought together a set of resources to help you explore how to amplify the impact of your research, engage with the public meaningfully, and build a leadership profile that will carry you beyond your PhD and into whatever comes next.

Impact Resource Pack