RAI Research Fund Grant

RAI Research Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Royal Archaeological Institute
Amount: Up to £5,000
Last Updated: October 24, 2025

Summary

The RAI Research Fund Grant, provided by the Royal Archaeological Institute, supports archaeological projects in the British Isles with grants up to £5,000 annually. Applicants can apply individually or on behalf of groups for projects related to fieldwork, surveys, and research. Preference is given to projects with part-time or amateur involvement, and those related to post-excavation activities. Note that funding for undergraduate work or food costs is not allowed.

Overview

The Royal Archaeological Institute was founded in 1844. Its patron is Her Majesty The Queen. The Institute's interests span all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these areas. The RAI Research Fund provides awards up to £5,000 each year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants may apply for themselves or on behalf of local groups.Applications will be considered for:Archaeological fieldworkSurveyAspects of excavation and post-excavation researchArchitectural recording and analysisArtifact and art-historical researchApplications for overseas work with some relevance to the British Isles will also be considered.Grants will only be made towards salaries, consultancy fees or publication costs where these elements form a relatively small proportion of the total cost of the project. This restriction does not include specialist costs.Any one project may attract a maximum of three grants from the Institute.Where a project involves excavation or other fieldwork, one of the three possible grants will normally be reserved for post-excavation or post-fieldwork activities directed towards final publication.

Ineligibility

Grants will not be made for funding: undergraduate or post-graduate work, orthe cost of food.Grant applications for projects also in receipt of English Heritage, Historic Scotland or Cadw funding will not normally be considered.Documentary research per se will NOT be eligible, but can be considered as an element of the other categories.