Roman Society

Roman Society is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 210644).

The Roman Society was founded to advance the understanding of ancient Rome and the Roman Empire. It has almost 2,000 members worldwide and encourages Roman studies through grants for research and publications, training opportunities for young researchers, and the promotion of Latin teaching in schools. Its grants and bursaries include funds for scholarly work, schools, summer placements, archaeology, and teacher bursaries. Its annual report shows annual giving of £33,852.

Priority Areas

The Roman Society funds work that advances Roman studies, including research and publication across its scholarly purposes, and supports Roman archaeology through projects, events, skills-based training and public engagement. It offers grants to schools to promote Latin and Roman studies, with awards for books and resources and for lectures or study days that benefit large numbers of children throughout the year; applications to start Latin courses are particularly welcome. Its archaeology funding supports fieldwork, museum projects, outreach, publications, material-culture and environmental studies, and archival work. The Society also supports research costs where institutional funding is unavailable or insufficient, and public involvement in Roman studies. Awards are made to schools, institutions and individuals, with committees making decisions that are received and ratified by Council.

Themes

• Roman studies research
• Latin teaching
• Roman archaeology
• Roman art history
• Public engagement
• Museum projects

Geographic Focus

No geographic focus is stated; the annual report shows grants mainly in Rome.

For Hugh Last Fund and General Fund applications, use the application form, give a concise outline of the project and publication plans where relevant, itemise requested costs, and declare any other applications for the same project.

Deadlines:

• Three closing dates each year: 1 February, 1 June and 1 November.
• Applications can be submitted three times a year by 1 February, 1 May and 1 October.
• The Hugh Last Fund and General Fund deadline is 31 January each year; applications are considered in February.
• The Donald Atkinson Fund application deadline is 31 January each year.

Application windows:

• Hugh Last Fund & General Fund: Applications are considered once a year in February; deadline is 31 January
• Archaeology Committee Grants: Can be submitted by 1 February, 1 May and 1 October
• Audrey Barrie Brown Memorial Fund & Donald Atkinson Fund: Deadline is 31 January
• Museum & Heritage Summer Placements: Apply by 31 May

Who can apply:

• Grants for Schools: Grants to schools
• Archaeology Committee Grants: Applications are welcomed from any individual or groups
• Museum & Heritage Summer Placements: All Undergraduate and Masters students are eligible to apply.

What to send:

• Hugh Last Fund & General Fund
  • A concise and clear outline of the project, including publication plans if relevant; itemised costs requested; declaration of any other applications being made for the same project.
  • References: two for individual applications over £500; one for all other applications.
• Archaeology Committee Grants: A concise and clear outline of the proposed activity, including an explanation of the public-facing elements and, for upskill training events, how the training will have a legacy; itemised costs requested.
• Museum & Heritage Summer Placements: A letter setting out reasons for wishing to undertake a placement and outlining previous experience; the name and email address of a referee.

What the charity says:

• The Society particularly welcomes applications from schools planning to start courses in Latin.
• Archaeology proposals should promote Roman archaeology to a wider public or provide skills-based training.
• The Archaeology Committee gives preference to projects or individuals applying to the scheme for the first time.
• The Hugh Last and General Funds particularly welcome events or schemes promoting public involvement in and awareness of Roman studies.
• Grant-aided projects are asked to submit a short report on how funds were spent and, whenever possible, a contribution for the Epistula newsletter.