Apply Now: Year of the Normans Research Scheme (Ireland)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Year of the Normans Research Scheme provides grants of up to €5,000 to academic researchers in Ireland and Northern Ireland undertaking new research on the history of Norman Ireland. Administered by the Royal Irish Academy, the scheme aims to encourage original scholarly work that expands understanding of this important period in Irish history. Up to six grants will be awarded, with each successful applicant receiving €5,000. Funded research is expected to be completed within eight months, culminating in the submission of a first draft of a scholarly article of at least 5,000 words to a peer-reviewed publication.

About the Year of the Normans Research Scheme

The Year of the Normans Research Scheme is designed to support new academic research examining the history of Norman Ireland. The initiative encourages researchers to develop original scholarship that contributes to a deeper understanding of the Norman period and its historical significance. The scheme is administered by the Royal Irish Academy and focuses specifically on new research rather than previously completed or ongoing work that does not represent a new research project. How Much Funding Is Available?

The scheme will provide:

- Up to six research grants - €5,000 per successful applicant - A research completion period of eight months The funding is intended to support new scholarly research that contributes to academic knowledge of Norman Ireland. What Research Is Supported? All proposed projects must focus on new research related to the history of Norman Ireland. Applicants are expected to propose research that offers original scholarly work and contributes meaningfully to the academic study of Norman Ireland. The project should be structured so that its findings can be incorporated into a scholarly article for submission to a peer-reviewed publication. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The Year of the Normans Research Scheme is open to academic researchers who meet the required employment conditions.

Applicants must:

- Be academic researchers working full-time or part-time. - Be tenured and/or salaried staff members of a higher education institution or research institute in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. - Hold an open-ended, continuing, or fixed-term employment contract. - Ensure that their contract extends beyond the end of the grant period. - Submit a proposal for new research relating to the history of Norman Ireland. Researchers employed on fixed-term contracts can apply provided their contracts continue beyond the grant period. The grant cannot be used to extend or prolong an applicant’s existing employment contract. Research Completion Requirements Successful applicants are expected to complete their funded research within eight months. Completion is defined specifically as the submission of a first draft of a scholarly article of at least 5,000 words to a peer-reviewed publication.

The article must:

- Incorporate the findings generated through the funded research. - Meet the requirements associated with the grant. - Be submitted as a first draft to a peer-reviewed publication. - Contain at least 5,000 words. Applicants should therefore plan their research around a clear scholarly output that can be developed into a publishable academic article. Application Restrictions Applicants should be aware of the scheme’s application restrictions. Each applicant may submit only one application per grant round. Researchers should therefore select their strongest research proposal and ensure that it directly addresses the scheme’s focus on new research into Norman Ireland. Why Apply for the Year of the Normans Research Scheme? The scheme provides an opportunity for academic researchers to develop original research on an important period of Irish history while receiving dedicated financial support. The €5,000 grant can help researchers undertake a focused research project within an eight-month period and develop the findings into a substantial scholarly article suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed publication. The scheme may be particularly valuable for researchers seeking to: - Develop new scholarship on Norman Ireland. - Investigate an original historical research question. - Produce a substantial academic publication. - Strengthen their research profile. - Contribute new findings to the study of Irish history. How to Prepare a Strong Research Proposal Applicants should ensure that their proposal clearly demonstrates that the project represents new research on the history of Norman Ireland. A strong proposal should clearly communicate: - The historical research question being investigated. - The originality and academic relevance of the proposed research. - How the research will contribute to understanding Norman Ireland. - How the project can realistically be completed within eight months. - How the research findings will contribute to a scholarly article of at least 5,000 words. - How the applicant’s academic position satisfies the eligibility requirements. Researchers should also make sure their employment contract extends beyond the end of the grant period before submitting an application. Key Facts About the Year of the Normans Research Scheme

- Funding: €5,000 per successful applicant

- Number of grants: Up to six

- Research focus: New research on the history of Norman Ireland

- Research period: Eight months

- Required output: First draft of a scholarly article

- Minimum article length: 5,000 words

- Publication: Article must be submitted to a peer-reviewed publication

- Eligible applicants: Academic researchers in Ireland, including Northern Ireland

- Employment: Full- or part-time tenured and/or salaried staff

- Contract requirement: Contract must extend beyond the grant period

- Applications: One application per applicant per grant round

- Administrator: Royal Irish Academy

Frequently Asked Questions About the Year of the Normans Research Scheme What is the Year of the Normans Research Sch