The Society currently invites applications for the following three schemes — open to historians across a range of career stages and backgrounds — with closing dates of 6 March 2026.
For further information on each programme, eligibility and how to apply please follow the links below.
The next rounds of research funding calls will be announced in February and March 2026. Calls will include for the following four programmes: Postgraduate Research Support Grants and Early Career Research Support Grants (opening in February), Scouloudi Public History Grants and Scouloudi Panel Grants (opening in March).
Applications are invited from current members of the Society. Applications to join the Society, as a Fellow, Associate Fellow, Member or Postgraduate Member, are welcome at any time.
Current funding programmes with closing dates in March 2026
- David Berry Fellowship in the History of Scotland and the Scottish People* provides an annual award of up to £2,500 to undertake research on the history of Scotland and the Scottish people worldwide. This grant is available to members of the Royal Historical Society at any career stage. Next closing date: Friday 6 March 2026.
- Early Career Fellowships Grants* provide funding of up to £2000 to historians to undertake discrete research projects lasting no more than six months. Applicants must be early career historians who are not in permanent full-time academic positions and within five years of submitting their PhD in a historical subject. These grants are available to members of the Royal Historical Society. Next closing date: Friday 6 March 2026.
- Open Research Support Grants* provide funding of either £500 or £1000 to historians to undertake historical research. Activities include visiting archives and historical sites, and travel to academic conferences. Open Research Support Grants may also be used to support travel to academic conferences. These grants are available to members of the Royal Historical Society who are not postgraduate students or early career researchers (within 5 years of completing a PhD). Next closing date: Friday 6 March 2026.
*Applicants for these Royal Historical Society grants must be current members of the Society.
Becoming a member of the Society
If you wish to join the Society, as a Fellow, Associate Fellow, Member or Postgraduate Member please see here for details and the benefits of RHS membership. Applications are welcome at any time.
The next closing dates for receipt of applications are Mondays 9 March 2025 and 11 May 2026.
Details of current holders of Royal Historical Society Fellowships and Grants are available here.
All enquiries about Research Funding should be sent to the Society’s Membership and Programmes Manager at: [email protected].
HEADER IMAGE: Coffee cup (part of a service). Worcester factory, British, ca. 1770, Metropolitan Museum of Art, public domain.