CFPs: Archaeological Archives Research Grant Programme (Ireland and UK)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Archaeological Archives Research Grant supports archaeologists and archaeology researchers in generating new knowledge from archaeological material that has already been excavated in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The scheme prioritizes original and innovative research that addresses standalone questions and makes a substantive contribution to archaeology. Most grants range from €5,000 to €20,000 and can support specialist fees, research services, materials, travel, accommodation, and certain salary costs.

About the Archaeological Archives Research Grant

The grant is designed to maximize the research value of existing archaeological archives and collections. It recognizes that archaeological resources are finite and encourages researchers to develop new knowledge from material that has already been excavated. The scheme particularly supports research projects that: - Address clear and standalone archaeological questions. - Use existing archaeological material or collections. - Apply original or innovative research approaches. - Generate substantial new insights. - Contribute to the advancement of archaeological knowledge. What Does the Grant Support? Funding can cover a range of costs directly related to research using existing archaeological material.

Eligible costs may include:

- Specialist fees. - Specialist research and analytical services. - Research materials. - Travel expenses. - Accommodation costs. - Salary costs for the applicant or research team, where permitted. - Other necessary research expenses directly related to the project. Applicants should clearly explain how each proposed cost contributes to the research objectives. Research Priorities The scheme prioritizes projects that go beyond routine examination of archaeological archives and demonstrate a clear potential to generate new knowledge.

Strong research proposals should:

- Investigate an original archaeological question. - Demonstrate why the question is important. - Make effective use of existing archaeological collections. - Use appropriate research or analytical methods. - Produce substantive findings that advance the field. Grant Amount Most awards under the Archaeological Archives Research Grant will be between €5,000 and €20,000. Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate for the scale and requirements of their research. The proposed budget should provide a detailed explanation of all significant research costs. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include archaeologists and archaeology researchers working on eligible projects in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The scheme can support researchers such as: - Professional archaeologists. - Archaeological researchers. - Undergraduate students. - Postgraduate students. - PhD students. The excavation associated with the archaeological material must not have been funded by the Royal Irish Academy. What Does the Grant Not Fund? The grant is intended for research using existing archaeological material and therefore does not support: - Archaeological excavations. - Archaeological surveys. - Fieldwork. - Research connected with developer-led or commercial excavations that have not met all licensing requirements. - Institutional overheads. - Purchase of standard equipment. Applicants should ensure that the proposed budget contains only eligible and research-related costs. Application Requirements Applications must provide information demonstrating the applicant’s research competency and the feasibility of the proposed project.

Applicants must include:

- Names of two competent referees. - Addresses of both referees. - A letter from one referee confirming the applicant’s competency. - A detailed breakdown of research costs. - Specialist quotations where relevant. - Confirmation of support from the National Museum of Ireland, where applicable. - Confirmation of support from the Department for Communities, where applicable. All supporting information should be consistent with the research proposal and proposed budget. Licences and Permissions Some projects may require licences or permissions to alter, sample, move, or export archaeological material. Where this applies, applicants are strongly advised to discuss the proposed research with the relevant authorities before proceeding with the application. Applicants should identify any licensing or permissions requirements at an early stage to avoid delays during the research process. How to Prepare a Strong Application A strong application should clearly explain the research question and demonstrate how the existing archaeological material will be used to produce new knowledge.

Applicants should describe:

- The archaeological question being investigated. - The importance of the research. - The existing material or collection to be studied. - The proposed research methodology. - Any specialist expertise required. - The expected findings or contribution to archaeology. - How the research will provide substantive new insights. The proposal should focus on the research value of the existing archaeological archive rather than simply describing the archive itself. Budgeting Tips A clear and realistic budget can help demonstrate that the proposed research is achievable.

Applicants should:

- Provide a detailed breakdown of research expenses. - Include specialist quotes where appropriate. - Clearly justify travel and accommodation costs. - Explain eligible salary costs where applicable. - Avoid institutional overheads. - Exclude standard equipment purchases. - Ensure that the requested funding directly supports the research objectives. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

- Requesting funding for excavation or fieldwork. - Failing to define a clear research question. - Providing an incomplete budget. - Including unsupported specialist costs. - Requesting institutional overheads. - Including standard equipment purchases. - Ignoring licensing requirements. - Failing to provide the