Research Funding & Support

What is it?  

The Athenaeum Research Award offers up to £3,000 for academic staff to develop and broaden their research, arts practice, and networks, and encourage groundwork in early-stage ideas for ambitious and scalable research projects. The awards can be for a small single project or form part of a co-funded larger project. 

Am I eligible? 

To be eligible you must be an academic member of staff at the Conservatoire. You may have Significant Responsibility for Research and be an experienced researcher, or you may be in the early stages of your research career. Full-time and part-time staff can apply (though full-time staff members cannot apply for time-related costs). 

How do I apply? 

Please thoroughly read the Athenaeum Awards Guidance and complete the relevant online Application Form – please note that applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel.

How is my application assessed? 

The Athenaeum Research Award will be assessed by the Research Committee which meets 3 times during the academic year. Proposal outputs and objectives of the project must meet high standards of research significance, originality and academic rigor. Click here to see the Assessment Criteria. 

You will be notified of the outcome within 10 days of the Research Committee meeting. 

What is it? 

The Athenaeum Engagement Awards are intended to support and strengthen partnerships between staff and external collaborators. Whether building new partnerships or deepening existing ones, these awards can initiate early-stage collaboration, exploration in new contexts, and support contributions to arts advocacy and policy development.

The Athenaeum Engagement Awards are available in two funding tiers:

• Up to £1,000 – To explore a new partnership with the aim of identifying mutual goals
  and potential future work
• Up to £5,000 – To develop or deepen collaborations through undertaking defined
  project work with partners

Am I eligible? 

The Athenaeum Engagement Award is open to academic and teaching staff developing a partnership or a project with an external partner. Both full-time and part-time staff can apply (though full-time staff members cannot apply for time-related costs).

Partnerships eligibility: External partners can be new or existing collaborators, individuals or organizations. Please see the Guidelines for eligibility criteria.

The Athenaeum Engagement Award enables staff to kickstart projects with external partners, aiming to add value to the creative arts ecosystem. As such, we expect projects to include match funding, which can either be in cash or in kind. This can include access to venues, recording studio time, or the time of your external partner. At least 25% match funding or resource allocation should be provided as a contribution to project costs.

How do I apply? 

Please thoroughly read the Athenaeum Awards Guidance and complete the relevant online Application Form (for up to £1,000 or up to £5000)- please note that applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel.

How is my application assessed? 

The Athenaeum Engagement Award will be assessed by a sub-group of the Engagement Committee. The decisions will then be ratified by the Engagement Committee, which will meet 3 times annually this academic year. Click here to view the Assessment Criteria.

You will be notified of the outcome within 10 days of the Engagement Committee meeting.

What is it? 

The Athenaeum Conference Presentation Award offers contributions of up to £500 towards your conference costs. If your conference costs are significantly higher and you feel your proposition will fit within the research award, you are welcome to apply for a research award instead. 

Am I eligible? 

For academic and professional services staff presenting a paper, chairing or participating in a panel, leading a discussion or a workshop at a conference. If none of the above apply you are not normally eligible. 

How do I apply? 

Please thoroughly read the Athenaeum Awards Guidance and complete the relevant online Application Form – please note that applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel.

How is my application assessed? 

The Athenaeum Conference Presentation Award is a rolling fund which will be assessed by the chair of the Research Committee and will be ratified at the Research Committee, which meets 3 times annually. Click here to see the Assessment Criteria.

You will be notified of the outcome within 30 days of your application receipt.

What is it? 

The Athenaeum Sabbatical Award offers staff the opportunity to pursue professional development outside of their regular employment at RCS. The award can offset the costs of staff cover while you are on Sabbatical for up to 3 months.  

Am I eligible? 

To be eligible you must be an academic member of staff at the Conservatoire. You may have Significant Responsibility for Research and be an experienced researcher, or you may be in the early stages of your research career. Full-time and part-time staff can apply. 

How do I apply? 

We encourage applications at least 6 months in advance, to allow for planning. If you would like to apply for an Athenaeum Sabbatical Award, please contact the Research and Engagement Team (keadmin@rcs.ac.uk) ahead of application. 

Please thoroughly read the Athenaeum Awards Guidance and complete the relevant online Application Form – please note that applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel.

How is it assessed? 

The Athenaeum Sabbatical Award will be assessed by the Research Committee which meets 3-4 times annually. Click here to see the Assessment Criteria.

You will be notified of the outcome within 10 days of the Research Committee meeting. 

Please ensure you have read all Guidelines and included ALL of the information before applying. 

Guidelines, templates, and specific criteria are below: 

• Athenaeum Awards Guidance and Assessment Criteria
• Budget Template
• Athenaeum Award report template
• RCS Employee Business Expenses Claims Policy and Procedures
• RCS Intellectual Property Policy

Application Forms:

• Click here to apply for a Research Award up to £3,000
• Click here to apply for an Engagement Award up to £1,000
• Click here to apply for an Engagement Award up to £5,000
• Click here to apply for a Conference Presentation Award up to £500
• Click here to apply for a Sabbatical Award

If you need any advice on your Award Application, the Research Team can provide mentoring and guidance. 

Please contact Gallia Young, the Engagement Development Officer (g.young@rcs.ac.uk) if you would like to set up a meeting or a call 

You can attend the Research Clinics with Professor Laura González before the award deadline – details are circulated to staff in advance. 

Additionally, you can attend the Impact Clinics with Lisa Williams, Impact Officer for Research and Public Engagement – details can be found in the Guidelines.