Small Grants

Purpose

This scheme is for small-scale research projects, scoping exercises or meetings in the medical humanities, including projects in research resources. Research does not necessarily have to be historically grounded.

These awards can support experienced researchers based in the UK and the Republic of Ireland who wish to carry out a modest programme of study on a specific topic in the medical humanities here or abroad. Applications may be made from scholars based outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland who wish to carry out a short-term period of research in one of these countries.

Research trips under this scheme may be to consult libraries or archives.

This scheme can also provide institutions with financial support for conferences (or a session within a conference), symposia, seminar series, and so on.

What's included

The normal maximum that can be applied for is £5000. Applications must provide value for money, and applicants should not automatically request the full amount available.

Applicants may not apply for more than one award per year. Repeat requests, for annual conferences in particular, will be judged more critically; they should be carefully justified and incorporate new ideas.

Awards provide a contribution towards expenses normally incurred in travelling to consult libraries or archives, such as transport, accommodation, subsistence and photocopying costs. They may include the costs of overseas visits.

Modest personal support or salary expenses may also be requested but must be carefully justified. Support may not include university fees.

Costs for conferences and meetings may include the travel and accommodation of keynote speakers, catering, conference pack publication and any reasonably justified associated expenses.

Successful applicants must make their own travel and visa arrangements.

Eligibility

Applicants must be based in, or travelling to, the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Experienced researchers in an established academic post will normally be expected to have written some publications in an appropriate field.

Experienced researchers not in an established academic post are expected to possess a doctorate or clinical qualification and to have established a research interest in the medical humanities.

International applicants needing to travel to the UK or the Republic of Ireland will be considered, but candidates must be highly competitive.

Visits under this scheme may be to consult libraries or archives. Study or lecture tours, meetings of a professional or vocational nature, and attendance of workshops, symposia and overseas conferences are normally excluded.

Applicants may not apply for more than one award per year.

Application process

Applications will take up to two months to process and an additional month to receive payment. You should therefore allow at least three months between submission and your proposed starting date.

Please complete and submit a full application form via the Trust's eGrants online application system (from the 'Funding area' drop-down menu select Medical Humanities, then select Small Grants from in the 'Scheme Type' menu, then select Medical Humanities Small Grant form from the 'Scheme Name' drop-down menu).

Please note that organisations need to be registered on eGrants before an affiliated application can be submitted. This is done by contacting the Trust; for full details, see the eGrants FAQ.

Deadlines

Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Applications will take up to two months to process and an additional month to receive payment. You should, therefore, allow at least three months between submission and your proposed starting date.

Contacts

Grants Management – Medical Humanities
Wellcome Trust
Gibbs Building
215 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE, UK

T +44 (0)20 7611 8429/8736
F +44 (0)20 7611 8528
E mh@wellcome.ac.uk