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 read through the Guidelines and Assessment Criteria and download the budget form. You can then apply via this online form. You will need to upload your budget, along with a letter of support from your line manager. Applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel. Estimates and quotes must be provided alongside the budget. 

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 schemes:

• Up to £1K –  to explore a new partnership
• Up to £5K – to deepen collaboration through project work with existing partners

Am I eligible? 

These awards are for academic and professional services 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 Awards aim to enable our staff to kickstart projects with their external partners and add value to the creative arts ecosystem. As such, we’re looking for our Athenaeum Engagement Award applications to demonstrate some aspect of match funding from partners; this can be in cash or in kind and can include things like venues, recording studio time, or the time of your external partner (if they are an independent artist). As a guide, we would expect to see at least 25% match funding towards our project costs.

How do I apply? 

Please read through the Guidelines and Assessment Criteria, and download the application and budget forms. You can then apply via the online form (link copied below). You will need to upload your budget, along with a letter of support from your line manager. Applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel. Estimates and quotes must be provided alongside the budget. 

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. 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 read through the Guidelines and Assessment Criteria and download the application and budget forms. You can then apply via this online form. You will need to upload a letter of support from your line manager. Applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel. You do not need to provide a budget for the Athenaeum Conference Presentation Awards.

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 cover your time 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 read through the Guidelines and Assessment Criteria and download the budget form. You can then apply via the online form. You will need to upload your budget, along with a letter of support from your line manager. Applications must be submitted via the online form and incomplete applications cannot be assessed by the panel. Estimates and quotes must be provided alongside the budget. 

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. 

Applications are reviewed by the Research Committee and the Engagement Sub-Committee. The deadline for each round of awards is two weeks before the Committee Meetings.

Applications are now closed and will reopen in Academic Year 2025-26.

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

Application forms and specific criteria are below: 

• Athenaeum Award Guidance and Assessment Criteria
• Athenaeum Award Application Form
• Athenaeum Conference Presentation Application Form
• Athenaeum Award Budget Form
• RCS Employee Business Expenses Claims Policy and Procedures
• Athenaeum Award report template
• Athenaeum Conference Presentation Award report template

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 

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