Academy Research Projects

Funding is now available for new Academy Research Projects. The scheme funded new projects in 2014 and 2022 and now has additional funds to support new projects. Typically, projects supported through this programme obtain small-scale core funding and the kitemark of recognition that enables them to approach other funders with the Academy's endorsement of quality.

The Academy Research Projects are intended to offer the kitemarking of academic excellence to ambitious long-term projects which aim to produce primary resources for research which will be accessible to the research community for collective benefit and fundamental works of scholarship, rather than to produce interpretative works or monographs.

The Academy grants the title of Academy Research Project to around 55 long-term enterprises, each organised and run by its own project committee. So long as the projects continue to work towards their agreed objectives and remain active and productive, the Academy expects to maintain long-term support. Current projects include some supported since the 1920s and 1930s but new projects should ideally aim to complete or to be self-financing within 10 years.

The maximum grant is £5,000 per annum and it is desirable that the projects will be able to complete or to be self-financing within 10 years.

Applications for collaborative or discrete research projects are equally welcome under this scheme. Applications from international groups of scholars are welcome, provided there is a UK-based scholar as lead applicant.

Funds are available to facilitate initial project planning and development; to support the direct costs of research; and to enable the advancement of research through workshops or visits by or to partner scholars. Applicants may seek support for any combination of eligible activity and cost up to the overall limit of £5,000 per annum. The Academy will assess applications equally on their merits, with no preference as to mode of enquiry.

All applications should demonstrate that funds are sought for a clearly defined programme to develop primary research resources for collective benefit or research resources leading to fundamental works of scholarship

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants should be at postdoctoral or equivalent level, in the fields of the humanities and/or the social sciences. Equivalent experience may include holding, or having held, an established post, having a record of publications in the field and/or having teaching experience.
• Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (that is, classed as ‘ordinarily resident’ for tax purposes) or currently employed overseas by a recognised UK overseas research organisation.
• UK research organisations based overseas may apply to be recognised by demonstrating that they satisfy both the following conditions:

1. Organisations which are, or which are constituent parts of, charities registered with the Charity Commission.
2. Which must be able to demonstrate an independent capability to undertake research in the field or discipline in which they wish to be funded, and to lead the research for which funding is received.

Applications are welcome from existing collaborations/research infrastructure projects that are already in progress and have prepared or published material previously. Awards of funding under this scheme will, however, only be made to support new work, not retrospectively providing reimbursement for work already undertaken.

Value and duration

Up to £25,000 in the first instance (over 5 years) with the expectation that the projects will be reviewed for further funding if necessary.

Applicants will be asked to specify the expected duration of their project, understanding that the projects should set out a clear plan to move to financial self-stability after a fixed period of core funding from the Academy.

Application process

Applications must be submitted online using the British Academy's Grant Management System (GMS), Flexi-Grant®.

The deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval is Friday 22 November 2024 (17:00 BST).

If you have any questions about the Scheme or the application process, please see the scheme notes and frequently asked questions, or email [email protected].