The Aberdeen Humanities Fund is an initiative to support the leading research in the humanistic disciplines at Aberdeen, enriching the cultural life of the University, the city and the surrounding region.
Building on Aberdeen’s established international research reputation across the humanities, the Aberdeen Humanities Fund aims to enhance this by highlighting the centrality of our own historic collections of art, objects, books and manuscripts to our work as researchers. The Fund aims to seize the initiative in pursuing our academic ambitions by putting our library and other collections, widely conceived, front and centre as we foster the cultural life and legacy of the University.
Since 2012 we have showcased new explorations of our University collections through the Stacks Alive programme. In 2013 we supported four outstanding research projects with the Hunter Caldwell Awards. In 2014, the Aberdeen Humanities Fund is pleased to announce the Development Trust Awards, for which we invite applications for small grants to initiate or advance research and collaboration towards the Fund’s objectives.
We expect to make up to four awards of up to £2,000 as an initial means of support for projects that will foreground research linked to the University’s collections. Links can be direct or thematic; the best applications might well draw connections with material held elsewhere. These modest awards are intended to spotlight work yet to be done. Award funds might be used to acquire materials or equipment, to hire research assistance, to support research trips, to help towards dissemination costs, to convene workshops or meetings, or to host a small performance or exhibition. Applications which further the objectives of the Fund are welcomed from all disciplines across the University: ‘the humanities’ are conceived of broadly, and as best defined by scholars themselves.
Applications for the Development Trust Awards may be submitted any time up to and including Friday 28th November 2014 by noon at the latest and decisions will be made by the Fund’s Academic Board and announced in December 2014. Award funds must be spent and claimed by the end of July 2015. Should you wish to apply please contact Will Gibb (w.gibb@abdn.ac.uk) for an application form. If you would like to discuss a possible application, please contact Dr Adelyn Wilson (adelyn.wilson@abdn.ac.uk).