The Robert Anderson Research Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 800617

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £272,970 (2024)
  • Grant Range: £350 - £5,000
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks (notifications by mid-February for annual application deadline)
  • Geographic Focus: International (particularly Egypt, Eastern Europe, and countries connected to the founder's work)
  • Annual Awards: Approximately 20-23 visiting scholars per year
  • Application Method: Fixed annual deadline for Visiting Scholars Programme; rolling basis for Hawkins Special Fund

Contact Details

Address: 54 Hornton Street, London W8 7NR

Website: https://robertandersontrust.org/

Email: enquiries@robertandersontrust.org

Phone: 0207-937 5146

Director: Dr. Chris Naunton (can be contacted via the Trust's contact page for Hawkins Special Fund proposals)

Overview

The Robert Anderson Research Charitable Trust was established in 1988 by Dr. Robert David Anderson (1927-2015), a distinguished Egyptologist and musician who served as Honorary Secretary of the Egypt Exploration Society for twelve years and was joint editor of the Musical Times and music critic for The Times. Registered as a charity in January 1989 (charity number 800617), the Trust operates from two residential properties in London's Highgate and Kensington districts. With an annual income of £272,970 (2024), the Trust supports talented young scholars and musicians through free accommodation in London, small travel grants, and specialist awards. The Trust's mission continues Dr. Anderson's lifelong commitment to advancing education in historical, archaeological, artistic and scientific research, with particular emphasis on Egyptology, musicology, archaeology, and classical history. In 2025, the Trust established the Hawkins Special Fund to provide additional small grants to students and early-career researchers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Visiting Scholars Programme: £500 per scholar (£350 for Egyptian Egyptology candidates) plus one month of free accommodation in London

  • Annual application deadline (typically early January)
  • Approximately 20-23 awards made per year
  • One-month research visits between April and November
  • Egyptology stream: Up to 6 places (restricted to PhD level and above, within 5 years of PhD)
  • Humanities stream: Approximately 8 places (current MA/PhD students or within 5 years of MA/PhD)

Joan Hawkins Resident Egyptology Scholarship: Extended residency support

  • Inaugurated in 2024
  • Provides longer-term support for Egyptian students of Egyptology
  • Application process by invitation or direct contact

Jean Middlemiss Award: £5,000 per year

  • Supports violists at the Royal College of Music
  • Named after Jean Middlemiss (1925-2020), a London-based musician renowned for the Suzuki method

Ilona Eibenschütz Award: £5,000 per year

  • Supports postgraduate piano students at the Royal College of Music
  • Established in 2023 in memory of concert pianist Ilona Eibenschütz (1871-1967)

Hawkins Special Fund: Typically £500 - £1,000 (smaller or larger amounts considered)

  • Rolling application basis
  • Supports students and early-career researchers and musicians
  • Recent grants awarded to musicians for concert performances, album recordings, and competition travel
  • Preference for MA/PhD students or those within 5 years of MA/PhD

Priority Areas

Subject Areas:

  • Egyptology (particularly strong emphasis)
  • Musicology and performance
  • Archaeology
  • Classical history
  • Comparative law
  • Film studies
  • Museology
  • Scientific illustration

Geographic Priorities: The Trust particularly welcomes applicants from countries with which Dr. Anderson had connections, including Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, and other Middle Eastern and Eastern European nations.

Beneficiary Focus: Priority is given to those who stand to benefit most from a visit in terms of their work and future careers. The Trust supports undergraduate and postgraduate students conducting historical, archaeological, artistic and scientific research.

What They Don't Fund

The Trust's application materials do not explicitly list exclusions, but the focus is clearly on academic research in humanities and arts subjects, particularly those connected to Dr. Anderson's interests. The Visiting Scholars Programme has strict eligibility criteria based on academic level and recency of degree completion.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Stephen Stuart-Smith (Chairman, appointed December 2016)

  • Literary publisher and Director of Enitharmon Press since 1987
  • Friend of Robert Anderson since 1974
  • Fellow of Royal Society of Arts and English Association

Adrian Berendt (Trustee since 2001)

  • Former banker and finance director for youth training charity
  • Runs an opera company
  • Treasurer of Barts Choral Society

Elizabeth Gray

  • One of Robert Anderson's godchildren
  • Background in scientific illustration
  • Worked with expedition and service organizations
  • Part-time risk advisor for Earthwatch Europe

Milan Dinic (Appointed 6 March 2025)

Anna Maltzoff (Appointed 6 March 2025)

Staff

Dr. Chris Naunton (Director)

  • Egyptologist, writer, and broadcaster
  • Former CEO of Egypt Exploration Society
  • Author of books on Egyptian archaeology
  • Friend of the Trust's founder

Howard Davies (Co-ordinator)

  • Founding trustee
  • Book publishing professional
  • Executor of the Trust's founder
  • Preparing publication of Dr. Anderson's remaining writings

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Visiting Scholars Programme:

  1. Complete online application form available on the Trust's website
  2. Arrange for a letter of recommendation from tutor/supervisor to be emailed separately to the Trust
  3. Applications are reviewed by the trustees

Hawkins Special Fund:

  • Proposals can be submitted at any time (rolling basis)
  • Send a short note introducing yourself and your work, along with an outline of the proposal
  • Contact Dr. Chris Naunton via the Trust's contact page

Royal College of Music Awards: Details not publicly specified; likely administered through the college

Eligibility Requirements

Visiting Scholars Programme - Egyptology Stream:

  • Current PhD students OR within 5 years of completing PhD
  • Egyptology candidates from Egypt receive preference for certain places
  • Good command of spoken and written English
  • Confirmation that required research materials are available in London

Visiting Scholars Programme - Humanities Stream:

  • Current MA or PhD students OR within 5 years of completing MA or PhD
  • Good command of spoken and written English
  • Research must be in relevant subject areas

Important Restrictions:

  • Candidates can visit a maximum of twice under the Visiting Scholars Programme
  • Must arrange own travel insurance and health insurance

Decision Timeline

Visiting Scholars Programme:

  • Application deadline: Early January (5:00 pm UK time)
  • Notification of results: Mid-February (approximately 6 weeks after deadline)
  • Visits take place: Between April and November

Hawkins Special Fund: Rolling basis with no fixed timeline specified

Success Rates

In 2024, 20 scholars were awarded places from the applications received. In 2025, 23 scholars from ten different countries were offered places. The Egyptology stream offers up to 6 places, and the humanities stream offers approximately 8 places, for a total of approximately 14 visiting scholar places annually. This suggests the programme is competitive, though exact application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Candidates can visit a maximum of twice under the Visiting Scholars Programme. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in subsequent years, subject to the eligibility criteria regarding time since degree completion.

Application Success Factors

The Trust's approach reflects Dr. Anderson's personal ethos of supporting talented individuals who will benefit most from access to London's research resources. Based on the Trust's materials and recent award patterns:

Strong Subject Alignment: The Trust shows clear preference for subjects Dr. Anderson was passionate about. Recent visiting scholars in 2025 included researchers studying topics such as “The material culture of the 29th Dynasty in Egypt” (Mona Abady, Egypt), “Archaeological heritage protection” (Jakub Artemiuk, Poland), and “Classical sculptures and plaster casts” (Monika Dunajko, Poland).

Career Impact Emphasis: The Trust explicitly states that “priority is given to those who stand to benefit most from a visit in terms of their work and future careers.” Applications should clearly articulate how a month of research in London will advance the applicant's academic trajectory.

Geographic Connections: While the Trust accepts applications internationally, there is notable preference for countries connected to Dr. Anderson's work. In 2025, scholars came from ten different countries including Egypt, Poland, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Research Resources Justification: For Egyptology candidates, the Trust requires confirmation that necessary research materials are available in London. All applications should demonstrate specific collections, archives, or resources in London institutions (British Museum, British Library, etc.) that are essential to the research.

Quality of Recommendation: The requirement for a tutor/supervisor recommendation letter suggests this carries significant weight. The letter should speak to the candidate's scholarly potential and why they would particularly benefit from the Trust's support.

Academic Stage: The Trust has strict eligibility windows (within 5 years of degree completion), suggesting they prioritize early-career researchers who are actively building their academic foundations.

For Hawkins Special Fund Applications: Recent grants show support for specific, practical needs such as album recording (£1,500 to Sackbut Collective), competition travel (£800 to Alvin Arumugam), and research travel (£350 to Amany Abd el-Hameed). Applications should identify concrete projects with clear budgets.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Egyptology receives special priority: With Dr. Anderson's deep commitment to Egyptology, dedicated scholarships, and up to 6 of approximately 14 annual visiting scholar places reserved for Egyptology, this subject area receives particularly strong support.
  • Demonstrate how London resources are essential: The Trust provides accommodation and modest grants specifically to enable research in London. Applications must show that London's collections and institutions are critical to the research, not merely convenient.
  • Early-career focus with strict time limits: The “within 5 years of degree completion” rule is firm. The Trust aims to support scholars at the stage where a research visit to London will have maximum career impact.
  • Geographic diversity valued: With scholars from ten different countries in 2025, the Trust actively seeks international diversity, particularly from regions connected to Dr. Anderson's work (Egypt, Eastern Europe, Middle East).
  • Keep Hawkins Special Fund proposals concise and specific: The rolling-basis fund requires only “a short note” with project outline. Recent grants show support for well-defined projects with clear budgets between £350-£1,500.
  • Personal connection to Dr. Anderson's legacy: Understanding Dr. Anderson's dual career as Egyptologist and musician, his work with the Egypt Exploration Society, and his passion for supporting young scholars helps frame applications in alignment with the Trust's mission.
  • Maximum two visits policy: Plan strategically if you are eligible for two visits. Consider timing applications to coincide with critical research phases or when specific London collections are most relevant.

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References

  • Charity Commission for England and Wales. “The Robert Anderson Research Charitable Trust - Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.” Accessed 29 December 2025.