The Society Of Architectural Historians Of Great Britain

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £128,527 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: £500 - £1,000
• Geographic Focus: UK priority, international accepted
• Application Frequency: Twice yearly (May and October)

Contact Details

Website: www.sahgb.org.uk

Email: info@sahgb.org.uk

Phone: 020 7251 5555

Address: 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EL

Applications should be submitted to: info@sahgb.org.uk

Overview

Founded in 1956 on the suggestion of American architectural historian Turpin C Bannister, the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain (SAHGB) is the leading subject and professional association for architectural history in the UK. Registered as charity number 236432, the Society serves architectural historians across education, heritage, and practice sectors. With an annual income of £128,527 (2024), SAHGB publishes the prestigious journal Architectural History, organizes events and symposia, and provides educational opportunities to advance understanding of the built environment's history. The Society funds PhD students, makes research and publication grants, and arranges symposia and study visits. In 2023, SAHGB established The Girouard Fund to support research and publications in architectural history, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting emerging scholars and early career researchers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants (£500 - £1,000, typically up to £500)

• Covers expenses for visiting collections, libraries, archives, or historic sites (UK or abroad)
• Supports building surveying activities
• Supports photographic documentation
• Does NOT cover: Conference attendance, home maintenance, book/equipment purchases, or secretarial help
• Application method: Rolling basis with fixed deadlines in May and October

Publication Grants (£500 - £1,000, typically up to £500)

• Covers costs of obtaining permission to reproduce images from archives and collections
• Covers graphic layout costs
• May cover portion of publisher fees
• Application method: Rolling basis with fixed deadlines in May and October

Arts and Crafts Research Grant: SAHGB and C.F.A. Voysey Society Joint Grant (up to £1,000)

• Offered in October round only
• Funds research on architect Charles Francis Annesley Voysey (1857-1941)
• Welcomes applications exploring wider Arts & Crafts movement context in British Isles and beyond
• Preference given to applications establishing clear link with Voysey

Priority Areas

• Architectural history research across all periods and geographies
• First-time grant applicants
• Postgraduate students developing and preparing their first research publication
• Early career researchers within five years of receiving postgraduate degrees
• UK residents and/or those active in UK-based institutions
• Arts & Crafts movement research (Voysey Joint Grant)

What They Don't Fund

• Conference attendance
• Home maintenance costs
• Book or equipment purchases
• Secretarial help
• Expenses incurred before grant award date
• More than two grants of the same type to any individual

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• President: Professor Elizabeth McKellar
• Chair: Dr David McKinstry
• Secretary: Jonathan Kewley
• Treasurer: Ian Johnson
• Editor of Architectural History: Dr Anthony Gerbino

President's Council includes distinguished past presidents and honorary patrons:

• Professor Emeritus Malcolm Airs OBE (Past President)
• Professor Emeritus Maurice Howard OBE (Past President)
• Professor Emeritus Neil Jackson (Past President)
• Professor Emerita Deborah Howard (Honorary Patron)
• Sir Donald Insall CBE (Honorary Patron)

The Society describes itself as committed to being “agile, transparent and inclusive” and seeks to foster a diverse membership representative of wider society.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted twice annually with deadlines typically in May and October. The most recent advertised deadline was 24 October 2025 for the October round.

Application Requirements:

1. Complete application form (available on SAHGB website)
2. Two supporting reference letters
3. Submit all materials to: info@sahgb.org.uk

Important Conditions:

• Recipients must be SAHGB members (if not already a member at time of application, membership is required upon receiving the grant)
• Applications for May deadline are for funds to be spent from July onwards
• Applications for October deadline are for funds to be spent from December onwards
• Expenses must be incurred after grant award date
• Claims must be submitted within 18 months of award
• Short report on outcomes and expense receipts required
• Must acknowledge SAHGB support in any resulting publications

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Grants are awarded following application deadlines in May and October, with expenditure beginning from July (May round) or December (October round) respectively.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The Society does not publish information about the number of applications received or grants awarded each year.

Reapplication Policy

The Society limits recipients to a maximum of two grants of the same type per person. There is no published waiting period for reapplication after an unsuccessful application, though the limit of two grants per type suggests that once an individual has received two research grants (for example), they cannot apply for additional research grants but may still be eligible for publication grants.

Application Success Factors

Priority Factors (as stated by SAHGB):

• First-time applicants receive priority
• UK residents and/or those active in UK-based institutions receive priority
• Postgraduate students developing their first research publication are particularly welcomed
• Early career researchers within five years of receiving postgraduate degrees are particularly welcomed

Key Requirements for Strong Applications:

• Clear demonstration of how grant funds will be used for specific, allowable expenses
• Evidence of need for specific archival visits, site documentation, or image permissions
• Strong support from two referees familiar with the applicant's work
• For Voysey Joint Grant: clear connection to C.F.A. Voysey or wider Arts & Crafts movement

Post-Award Expectations:

• Recipients are expected to share highlights of their research with members via newsletters and magazines
• Acknowledgment of SAHGB support in publications is mandatory
• Full financial accounting with receipts is required
• A brief report on research outcomes must be submitted

Engagement Opportunities:

While not required for grant applications, engaging with SAHGB's wider activities may demonstrate commitment to architectural history:

• Attending SAHGB symposia and study visits
• Contributing to SAHGB's journal Architectural History
• Participating in SAHGB networks and events
• Membership demonstrates ongoing commitment to the field

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grants, big impact: With typical awards of £500 (max £1,000), these grants are designed for specific, targeted expenses rather than comprehensive project funding
• Early career focus: Priority is explicitly given to postgraduate students and early career researchers within five years of their degree
• UK connection matters: While international applications are accepted, UK residents and UK-based researchers receive priority
• First-timers favored: If you haven't received a SAHGB grant before, you're in a stronger position
• Membership required: Budget for SAHGB membership costs as this is a condition of receiving the grant
• Tight time limits: You must spend funds after the award date and claim within 18 months, requiring careful planning
• Consider the Voysey option: If your research touches on Arts & Crafts movement, the October round's joint grant offers up to £1,000

References

1. SAHGB Official Website - Funding Page: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/funding (Accessed 29 December 2024)
2. SAHGB Official Website - Who We Are: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/who-we-are (Accessed 29 December 2024)
3. SAHGB Official Website - Awards: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/awards (Accessed 29 December 2024)
4. Charity Commission Register - SAHGB (236432): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/236432 (Accessed 29 December 2024)
5. SAHGB and C.F.A. Voysey Society - Arts and Crafts Research Grant: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/funding/voyseyresearchgrant (Accessed 29 December 2024)
6. European Architectural History Network - SAHGB Research Grants: https://eahn.org/2014/08/research-grants-society-of-architectural-historians-of-great-britain-sahgb/ (Accessed 29 December 2024)
7. SAHGB Official Website - The New President's Council: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/news/the-new-presidents-council (Accessed 29 December 2024)
8. Wikipedia - Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Architectural_Historians_of_Great_Britain (Accessed 29 December 2024)