Independent Research Grants Rules and Guidance (IRGs)

The society gratefully acknowledges the kind support of the National Army Museum in sharing the costs of all Independent Research Grants.

The purpose of the Society for Army Historical Research’s IRGs is to further a charitable role of the Society by providing encouragement and support for research undertaken by those researching outside of the university environment. 

Eligibility

Grants are open to any member of the Society for Army Historical Research world-wide not currently enrolled at, or working in an academic role within, a university or similar institution. Applicants must have been a member of the society for at least 12 months prior to the deadline for the Independent Research Grant for their application to be considered. 

Grants

It is the Society’s intention every year to give a sum up to £1,000 to successful applicants. The grants are for expenses associated with research such as travel, accommodation, permission to use a digital camera in an archive, photocopying fees etc. The Society will also consider applications for fees towards image licenses for publications. Grants cannot be used to allow you to write up material already researched, to cover research trips that have already taken place, or to facilitate attendance at academic conferences, workshops, etc. Applicants must provide a clear, itemised breakdown of expected costs as part of their application. 

Subject Scope

IRGs will only be granted for research that relates to the British Army or the land forces of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. This includes any aspect of the Army and its activities, including reserve or auxiliary units, (Militia, Yeomanry, Fencibles, Volunteers or Home Guard), or the offices and institutions that supported them. This also includes forces maintained by non-Crown bodies within the Empire, such as the Honourable East India Company, or forces allied to and forming an integral part of the land forces operating on behalf of the Crown (Indigenous peoples in North America, for example). 

Application

Applications may be submitted at any time during the year, but the closing date for the Independent Research Grant is 1 May. Successful applicants will be informed and the grant made available by July of the same year. 

Completing the Application

In order to apply for a grant, please download and complete this form and provide a project description (maximum 1,000 words). 

Applications are to be made electronically to grants@sahr.org.uk and receipt will be acknowledged.

For an application to be considered the applicant must provide:

1. The completed application form.
2. A project description (maximum 1,000 words). This must include a description of your project and its significance to the field and an outline of the specific research to be supported by the IRG, including what materials are to be consulted where relevant. Please ensure you clearly demonstrate how the research to be undertaken will benefit your project overall. 

All matters and queries relating to IRGs should be addressed grants@sahr.org.uk. No other contact on the subject of IRGs will be entertained by Council Members or Officers of the Society.

Applicants will be notified of rejected and/or unsuccessful applications. An unsuccessful application may be re-submitted in improved form in the year following. The award of an IRG does not disbar an application for a second grant in the year following the award.

Administration

Awards will be decided upon by the Council of the Society, acting on the advice of the Grants Officer. Awards will be made strictly on merit based on the content of the application, and on no other criteria. The amount of money and timing of the awards may be varied by the Society’s Council at its discretion.

It is expected that successful candidates will inform the Society of the publication of their research within three years of the grant. It is expected that a version of their research findings will be offered to the Society for publication in the Journal.