The British Institute For The Study Of Iraq (gertrude Bell Memorial)

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £424,461 (latest available)
• Annual Expenditure: £282,301
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2 months (decisions announced in June for April deadlines)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based researchers, Iraqi scholars
• Application Deadlines: Fixed annual deadlines (varies by grant type)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.bisi.ac.uk

Email: bisi@britac.ac.uk

Phone: 020 7969 5274

Address: c/o British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH

Key Contacts:

• Ali Khadr, Executive Officer
• Anne-Marie Misconi, Visiting Iraqi Scholarship Coordinator

Overview

Founded in 1932 as the British School of Archaeology in Iraq through a legacy from Gertrude Bell, BISI was renamed The British Institute for the Study of Iraq in 2007 to reflect its broader academic scope. The institute is the UK's only organization dedicated to advancing research and public education about Iraq across all periods from prehistory to the present day. While government funding ceased in 2009, BISI has sustained its grant-making activities through private sources, fundraising, and membership subscriptions. The organization maintains its headquarters at the British Academy's offices in London and has played a significant role in major initiatives including the establishment of Basrah Museum and supporting collaborative research between UK and Iraqi academics. With annual income of £424,461 and expenditure of £282,301, BISI continues to offer a comprehensive suite of grants and scholarships supporting research in arts, humanities, and social sciences related to Iraq.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research and Conference Grants

• Amount: Up to £6,000 (exceptional awards possible)
• Deadline: 1 April annually
• Decision Timeline: Decisions announced in June
• Application Method: Online application form with two reference letters required
• Eligibility: Must be employed by or have official connection with a UK Higher Education Institution

Pilot Project Grants

• Amount: Up to £10,000 (one award annually)
• Deadline: 1 April annually
• Decision Timeline: Decisions announced in June
• Application Method: Online application form with two reference letters required
• Purpose: Supports up to one year of preliminary research with potential to develop into larger projects
• Eligibility: Must be employed by or have official connection with a UK Higher Education Institution

Outreach Grants (formerly University and Museum Engagement Grants)

• Amount: Up to £1,000 (exceptional awards possible)
• Deadlines: 1 April and 1 October annually
• Decision Timeline: Decisions announced after next Council meeting
• Application Method: Online application form with one reference letter required
• Purpose: Supports public or academic engagement events
• Eligibility: Must be a current UK resident

Visiting Iraqi Scholarship Scheme

• Amount: Covers research costs, institutional fees, travel, visa, housing, and living allowance
• Duration: Up to 2 months
• Deadline: 1 December annually
• Eligibility: Iraqi nationals currently residing in Iraq; PhD students, cultural heritage professionals, and academics; requires UK host institution
• Note: Previous recipients cannot reapply

Priority Areas

BISI welcomes applications across the full range of arts, humanities, and social sciences subjects focused on the lands and peoples of Iraq, including:

• Archaeology (from prehistory to medieval period)
• Ancient civilizations and languages of Mesopotamia
• History (all periods from earliest times to present)
• Art and cultural heritage
• Social sciences research on modern and contemporary Iraq
• Anthropology, geography, and linguistics
• Early Islamic, medieval, and early Ottoman Iraq

What They Don't Fund

• Institutional overheads
• Salary costs
• PhD studentships
• Normal living costs (except for Visiting Iraqi Scholarships which include living allowances)
• Projects without direct connection to Iraq's lands and peoples

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Governance and Leadership

BISI is governed by a Council of 12 members who serve as both trustees and company directors, elected to three-year terms (renewable once).

Key Leadership (2024):

• Dr Rosalind Wade Haddon (Chair, 2023-26): Research Associate, Department of History of Art and Archaeology, SOAS
• Dr Gareth Brereton (Vice-Chair, 2024-27): Stronach Fellow, University of York
• Dr Tim Clayden OBE (Honorary Treasurer, 2024-25): Bursar, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford
• Dr John Curtis (President): CEO of Iran Heritage Foundation

Patrons:

• Sir Terence Clark
• Ms Maysoon Al-Damluji

Council Members (2024-27):

• Dr Eva Miller: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, UCL
• Dr Mary Shepperson: Lecturer, University of Liverpool
• Dr Noorah Al Gailani: Curator, Glasgow Museum/GlasgowLife

Continuing Members:

• Dr Renad Mansour (2022-25): Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House
• Mr Daniel Lowe (2022-25): Curator, British Library
• HE Mohammad Jaafar Al-Sadr: Iraqi Ambassador to the UK

All trustees serve without remuneration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Research and Conference Grants & Pilot Project Grants:

1. Download application form from BISI website
2. Complete all sections, including project description and budget
3. Secure two letters of recommendation
4. Submit via email to bisi@britac.ac.uk
5. Deadline: 1 April annually
6. Assessment by Fieldwork and Research Committee
7. Final decision by BISI Council
8. Notifications sent in June

Outreach Grants:

1. Download application form from BISI website
2. Complete application details
3. Secure one letter of recommendation
4. Submit via email
5. Deadlines: 1 April and 1 October annually
6. Decisions announced after next Council meeting (February, May, or November)

Visiting Iraqi Scholarship:

1. Download application form
2. Secure letter from UK host institution
3. Obtain home institution approval
4. Submit complete package online or via email
5. Deadline: 1 December annually

Decision Timeline

• Research/Conference/Pilot Grants: Applications reviewed by Fieldwork and Research Committee, then approved by Council; decisions announced in June (approximately 2 months after April deadline)
• Outreach Grants: Decisions announced after Council meetings following deadlines
• All grants: Notification by email

Success Rates

BISI does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. The Pilot Project Grant is highly competitive with only one award made annually.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are publicly documented for Research, Conference, or Outreach grants. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding rounds. The Visiting Iraqi Scholarship explicitly prohibits previous recipients from reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

Grants are awarded based on:

1. Quality and practicality of proposed research: Projects must demonstrate clear research questions and feasible methodologies
2. Project costing: Budgets must be realistic and justify direct costs only
3. Applicant qualifications: Evidence of capability to conduct the proposed work
4. Referee reports: Strong recommendations are essential

Funded Project Examples

BISI has supported diverse research including:

• Dr Mark Altaweel (UCL): Large-scale investigations into archaeological and environmental change in the Shahrizor Plain, northeastern Iraq
• Dr Claudia Glatz (Glasgow University): “Cultural Connectivity and Early Imperialism: The Zagros-Mesopotamian Interface in the Second Millennium BC” with archaeological survey in the Upper Diyala river valley
• Dr Claudia Glatz: “Tracing the Emergence of Social Complexity in Southern Mesopotamia: The Sirwan/Upper Diyala Regional Project” examining prehistoric village communities (7000-3000 BC)
• Ella Egberts: Paleolithic site survey in Iraq's Western Desert, discovering seven sites

Funder-Specific Insights

• UK institutional affiliation is essential for most grants (except Visiting Iraqi Scholarship)
• Direct costs only: BISI cannot fund overheads or salaries, so applications must focus on equipment, travel, and consultancy
• Interdisciplinary welcome: While archaeology has been traditional strength, the institute actively seeks applications from broader fields including modern Iraq studies
• Collaborative spirit: Projects facilitating UK-Iraqi academic exchange are valued
• Pilot funding strategy: The Pilot Project Grant specifically aims to seed larger projects, so demonstrate potential for future Research Council funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Match UK institutional requirements: Ensure you have employment or official connection with a UK Higher Education Institution before applying (except Outreach Grants which require UK residency)
• Focus on direct costs: Budget only for equipment, travel, and consultancy fees; do not include overheads, salaries, or living expenses
• Demonstrate Iraq-specific focus: All projects must clearly relate to the lands and peoples of Iraq, any time period from prehistory to present
• Secure strong references early: Two recommendations required for Research/Conference/Pilot grants; allow referees adequate time
• Use annual deadlines strategically: With only one or two deadlines per year for most grants, plan well in advance
• Consider Pilot Grant for larger ambitions: If your project could grow into a major research initiative, the £10,000 Pilot Project Grant may be more appropriate than the £6,000 Research Grant
• Leverage the institute's networks: BISI publishes the journal IRAQ and hosts lectures; engaging with these activities may strengthen your application profile

References

• British Institute for the Study of Iraq official website: https://www.bisi.ac.uk (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI Research and Conference Grants page: http://www.bisi.ac.uk/content/research-and-conference-grants (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI Pilot Project Grants page: https://www.bisi.ac.uk/grants-scholarships/bisi-pilot-projects-grants/ (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI Outreach Grants page: https://www.bisi.ac.uk/content/university-and-museum-engagement-grants (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI Visiting Iraqi Scholarship Scheme page: https://www.bisi.ac.uk/grants-scholarships/bisi-visiting-iraqi-scholarship-scheme/ (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI About page: https://www.bisi.ac.uk/about/ (accessed 28 December 2024)
• BISI People page: https://www.bisi.ac.uk/about/people/ (accessed 28 December 2024)
• UK Charity Commission register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1135395 (accessed 28 December 2024)
• British Institute for the Study of Iraq, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Institute_for_the_Study_of_Iraq (accessed 28 December 2024)