Palaeontological Association Research Grants

Awards are made to assist palaeontological research up to a maximum value of £15,000. The total amount awarded in any one year will not exceed £15,000. Typically, grants could support single research projects or ‘proof of concept’ proposals with an aim of supporting future applications to national research funding bodies. Field-based projects are also eligible, but the scientific objectives and outcomes of the research must be made clear.

Applications for investigator’s salary costs will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and if awarded all legal and financial liability will lie with the applicant.

Other conditions

Preference is given to applications for a single purpose (rather than top-ups of other grant applications). The award is open to both amateur and professional palaeontologists, but applicants must be members of the Association and preference will normally be given to candidates who have not previously won an award. The awards will be announced at the AGM.

Proposals will be ranked on the following criteria:

• Scientific quality of research, novelty and timeliness, likely outputs
• Fit to the charitable aims of the Association
• Feasibility, value for money and cost effectiveness
• The scientific track record of the investigator

At the end of the award period a final report (including receipted accounts) will be submitted for review by the Trustees or, where appropriate, external referees. Appropriate parts of the final report will be published in the Association Newsletter. Funds, once awarded, will be administered by the Association, with costs paid direct to investigators on the basis of receipted expenses claims.

Applications must be submitted electronically, and should comprise:

1. A CV of the principal researcher, up to TWO A4 pages in length
2. A 'Case for Support' of up to TWO A4 pages in length which addresses the following points:
   • Underlying rationale and scientific issues to be addressed
   • Specific objectives of the research
   • Anticipated achievements and outputs
   • Methodology and approach
   • Programme and/or plan of research
   • How the research fits the charitable aims of the association
   • Proposals for wider dissemination of results including those relating to the wider public understanding of science
   • Applicants must also list pending and previous applications (with funding bodies and results) for funds to support this or related research.
3. A breakdown of the proposed expenditure, up to ONE A4 page in length

These three documents must be submitted as separate PDF files, single-spaced with a minimum font size of 11 points, and a minimum margin size of 1.5cm. These files must together total less than 16Mb in size.

Successful candidates must produce a report for Palaeontology Newsletter and are asked to prioritise the Association’s meetings and publications as media for conveying the research results.

Categories of expenditure for which the Palaeontological Association does not provide support

Applicants are advised that the Association does not offer funding for the following costs, and hence none of these items may be included in any budget proposal submitted to the Association.

• Core funding or overheads for institutions. Please note that the Association does not make awards on the basis of full economic costing. Attention is drawn to paragraphs 3.31 to 3.37 of the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014, HM Treasury (July 2004), which explains arrangements for the provision of overheads linked to charity funding to academic institutions.
• Individual items of equipment over £1000, sites, buildings or other capital expenditure
• Support for the attendance at, or organisation of, conferences, workshops or exhibitions.
• A shortfall resulting from a withdrawal of or deficiency in public finance.
• UK student fees.

Deadline

The closing date is 1st March each year

Continue to Electronic Submission Form