Society of Antiquaries of London

Society of Antiquaries of London is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 207237).

The Society of Antiquaries of London is an educational charity that promotes the understanding of the human past. It exists to support conservation, research and dissemination among its Fellowship and the wider public through its grant programmes. It runs two grant award programmes, one of which is the William and Jane Morris Fund, which makes small grant awards to churches for the conservation of ancient monuments.

Priority Areas

The Society supports research into the human past through its material culture and remains, alongside conservation and dissemination. Its research programmes cover archaeology, art and architectural history, historic dress, material culture, historic landscapes and archaeological sites; applications are welcomed from early-career researchers, and the Society values innovative approaches, new initiatives and interdisciplinary interest. Research awards may support a project where the Society is a main or significant contributor, or a clearly defined objective within a wider funded project. Its conservation awards are for churches, chapels and other places of worship: the Morris grants support decorative or non-structural features inside buildings, while the Linda Parry programme supports research and conservation of textiles associated with places of worship. The Society prioritises work with greater historical significance and conservation need, and awards that make a significant impact to the viability of conservation work.

Themes

• Archaeological research
• Historic dress research
• Church conservation
• Textile conservation

Geographic Focus

United Arab Emirates; the Sultanate of Oman; Saudi Arabia; the Pakistan province of Balochistan; United Kingdom; the Crown Dependencies.

Churches, chapels and other places of worship can apply for the William and Jane Morris Church Conservation Grants and Linda Parry Textile Research and Conservation Grants. Applicants use the Grants Application Portal to create or sign in to an account, select the appropriate form, complete it and submit online. Morris and Linda Parry applicants upload supporting documents; other awards may require referees to submit references through the portal after submission.

Deadlines:

• Research Awards applications are due on 15 January each year.
• Beatrice de Cardi Awards applications are due on 7 April each year.
• Janet Arnold Award applications are due on 7 April each year.
• William and Jane Morris Church Conservation Grants have annual rounds ending on 31 March and 31 August.
• Linda Parry Textile Research and Conservation Grants have annual rounds ending on 31 March and 31 August.

Application windows:

• January research and travel grants: Closes on 15 January each year
• April research and travel grants: Closes on 7 April each year
• William and Jane Morris Church Conservation grants
  • Has a round deadline on 31 March every year
  • Has a round deadline on 31 August every year

Who can apply:

• Research and Travel Grants: Applications must be from the project director or principal investigator.
• Janet Arnold Awards: Applications must be from the project director or principal investigator, and must be for original work that is not already covered by publication.

What to send:

• Research and Travel Grants
  • A clear and detailed articulation of the research aims and how they will be achieved, with costings and proposed duration; include the contribution of the research to scholarship.
  • A clear plan for timely publication or dissemination of research results.
  • A request for a specific sum and declaration of all applications to other funding bodies.
  • A statement of the minimum sum needed to make the project viable if full funding is not obtained.
  • For a second or subsequent application for the same project, a brief summary of results to date and statement of expenditure covered by the previous grant.
  • One or two references are required for most awards.
• Janet Arnold Awards
  • Obtain consent from the owner or custodian of any item to be examined.
  • Demonstrate the necessary skills and that the work will be undertaken without potential damage to the item or items of dress.
• William and Jane Morris Church Conservation Grants and Linda Parry Textile Conservation and Research Grants: Gather and upload supporting documents required, such as photographs, architect or conservation reports, or budgets.

Applying again: Research and Travel Grants: A new application is required each year; no project will be funded for more than three years. For a second or subsequent application for the same project, submit a brief summary of results to date and a statement of expenditure covered by the previous grant.

What the charity says:

• The Research Committee weighs research quality and financial and practical viability, and considers alignment with the Society’s strategy and values.
• The Society welcomes early-career researchers and innovative, new and interdisciplinary projects.
• Applicants should set out clear research aims, costings, duration and the proposed contribution to scholarship.
• Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received a Janet Arnold Award.
• Morris Fund projects with greater historical significance and conservation need receive priority.
• The Morris Fund welcomes smaller applications from local churches.
• Well-funded cathedral projects take lower priority than parish churches and hard-pressed communities, although outstanding and urgent cathedral projects may still be considered.
• Morris Fund applications are prioritised when the grant significantly improves the viability of the work or concerns nationally or internationally important features.