The Society provides the following four funding programmes for historians studying for a Master’s degree or PhD in History at a UK university. Each programme runs at least once, annually. Follow the links for further details, including timetables for applications.
Please note: to apply for a PGR Research Support Grant or the Martin Lynn Scholarship you must be a Postgraduate Member of the Society. If wish to join the Society, please see the Postgraduate Membership section of the Join Us page.
1. Master’s Scholarships
Launched in 2022, Master’s Scholarships support recent graduates, from groups underrepresented in academic History, in studying for an MA degree in History at a UK university. Open to all prospective MA students in History who meet the programme’s application criteria.
2. PhD Fellowships
Our annual PhD Fellowships provide support for historians who are completing a PhD in History. Recipients hold the fellowships jointly with the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), University of London. Open to all PhD students in the third year of a History PhD at a UK university.
3. Postgraduate Research Support Grants
Provide funding to enable students to undertake historical research. Activities covered by Postgraduate Research Support Grants include: visiting an archive or historic site, or conducting interviews. Open to Postgraduate Members of the Royal Historical Society.
4. Martin Lynn Scholarship in African History
Awarded annually, the Martin Lynn Scholarship supports research in any field of African history. Open to Postgraduate Members of the Royal Historical Society.
5. Other RHS funding programmes open to Postgraduate Members of the Society
In addition to the dedicated grants listed above, current Postgraduate Members of the Society may also apply for the following RHS funding programmes. For details of each of these awards, and the dates of their next call, please see the pages below.
- David Berry Fellowship, to undertake work relating to the history of Scotland or the Scottish people worldwide
- International Research Support Grants, for members of the Society working outside the UK to undertake research in the UK and Ireland
- Jinty Nelson Teaching Fellowships, to facilitate innovative and creative teaching practice
- RHS / Social History Archive Partnership, providing free access to the online resource The Social History Archive to researchers without existing access via an institution
- Scouloudi Panel Grants, enabling historians to host conference panels
- Scouloudi Public History Grants, to support projects between academic historians and those working outside higher education
- Workshop Grants, enabling historians to come together to discuss projects in detail
All enquiries about Research Funding should be sent to the Society’s Membership and Programmes Manager at: [email protected].
HEADER IMAGE: The Ladies Bill of Fare, or, a Copious Collection of Beaux, 1795, plate, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, public domain.