Research Funding

Much historical research depends on funding to make it happen – from simple tasks such as a visit to a conference, a library or an archive, to large teams bearing down on a common problem over a span of several years.  These pages are designed to help you match what you want to do with the funds available to make it possible.

There is experienced help available in the Faculty of History for those seeking to make research grant applications.  Laura Cousens in the Faculty’s Accounts Office is the Faculty’s Research Grant Administrator; she is your first port of call when thinking of applying for funding of any sort.  She has costed, helped to plan and generally overseen applications to a wide range of sponsors, and can advise on whom to apply to, how much to apply for, and how to negotiate the variety of accounting and online application systems.  Peter Mandler is the Faculty’s Director of Research;  he can provide academic advice on composing proposals, read and supply peer-review on drafts, and help you consider the implications of your research plans and funding applications for your longer-term goals.  In addition, many colleagues have made successful applications in the recent past and some of them have kindly allowed us to post the texts of their applications on the relevant pages to act as guides for what is feasible and what is desirable.

When applying to external sponsors your application has to go through the Faculty and the University as the host institution.  Costs may have to be calculated on a full economic costing (FEC) basis and this can take time.  Please get in touch with Laura Cousens as soon as possible if you are planning any application;  don’t leave things to the last minute as the minimum time needed to process an application in the Faculty and then through the Research Office is two weeks, much longer for some large or complicated applications.  Similarly, your chances of success in many competitions is very much enhanced by putting your application through internal peer-review, where another scholar with expertise in your field and/or experience with the selection process can provide crucial feedback on both content and procedure;  this, too, requires a decent period of advance notice.  Do contact both Laura Cousens and Peter Mandler as soon as you are beginning to think seriously about making an application.

The first question to ask yourself is, what type of funding do you need?

Research Grants

A range of funding is available from all major sponsors.

Information on sponsors and funding opportunities: Research Grants

Early Career Schemes

Fellowships and research grants from the AHRC, British Academy, EC, ESRC and Leverhulme Trust

Information on sponsors and funding opportunities: Early Career Schemes

Fellowships and Research Leave Schemes

Fellowships from the AHRC, British Academy, ESRC, Leverhulme Trust and Wellcome Trust: Fellowships and Research Leave Schemes

Conference and Travel Funding

Funding is available within the University for conference support and to cover travel costs

Conference and Travel Funding

Useful links

University Research Office sponsor and funding calls:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/research/funding/sponsors.aspx

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/research/funding/opportunities.aspx

Researchprofessional website:

http://www.researchprofessional.com/login.html?loginTarget=%2F