Society of Antiquaries of Scotland: Grants and Funds

Further details for all these grants are available from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, c/o National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.

Research grants

Grants are available towards the costs of all aspects of archaeological and historical research relating to Scotland. Applications must be made on the forms obtainable from the Society; the completed application and supporting reference must reach the Director of the Society by 5 January of the calendar year for which the grant is required.

Gunning Jubilee Gift

The Gift was instituted by Dr Gunning in 1887, and it is awarded in line with the resources available from the fund in any one year to help experts to visit museums, collections, or materials of archaeological science, at home or abroad for the purposes of special investigation and research . The Gift is open to non-Fellows. There are no application forms but applicants should forward details of the proposed study, together with estimated costs, and a CV, to reach the Director of the Society by 5 January of the calendar year for which the Gift is required.

Chalmers-Jervise Prize

A prize of £500 is offered biennially (in odd numbered years) for the best essay, illustrated where necessary, on any subject relating to the archaeology or history of Scotland before 1100 AD. Essays submitted must be of the standard required for publication in the Proceedings, to which it is expected that the winning entry be offered for publication. The Prize is open to non-Fellows. There are no entry forms. Entrants should submit their essays (two copies) to the Director of the Society by 5 January of the calendar year for which it is entered.

Bursaries for young fellows attending conferences

Bursaries are available to enable young fellows of the Society to read papers on Scottish themes at conferences of international standing within Britain or abroad. If in Britain, however, they should attract participants from abroad. Individual bursaries amount to a maximum of £300. They are awarded competitively and the number awarded in any one year is dependent on the funds available. Applicants should be under 35 years of age, and should not have held a full-time salaried post for more than five years. There are no application forms, but details should be sent directly to the Director of the Society by 5 January of the calendar year for which the bursary is requested.

Regional fund & the Buchan lectures

The Society is able to offer grants to local archaeological, antiquarian, or similar societies to help fund a lecture, symposium, or conference. Awards are recommended by the Programme Committee with the approval of Council. A lecture supported by this fund is kmnown as a Buchan Lecture. The purpose is to fund lectures in those parts of Scotland which are not at present served by the Society s meetings. The maximum sum awarded for a Buchan Lecture will not exceed £300. There are no application forms, but applicants should send details of the proposed meeting, speaker and estimated costs, to the Director to arrive by 5 January of the calendar year preceding that for which the funds are required.

Research Fund

The Research Fund was set up in 1990 to offer a single annual grant not exceeding £2,000. Applicants must be current individual members of the Society, applying for funds to carry out personal research, but excluding costs towards the running of an excavation or the payment of academic fees. The successful application could be for a specific item of fieldwork, post-excavation research, or architectural studies, including projects that might be submitted as part of a post-graduate degree. The award is made on an evaluation of the academic value of the project, rather than the circumstances of the applicant. Members are invited to apply for grants offered each year in April with a closing date for applications on 31 January. Applicants should download an application form (Microsoft Word format) and return it to the Honorary Secretary.