Request for Proposals: Neil Ker Memorial Fund

Deadline: 07-Jan-2026

The Neil Ker Memorial Fund supports research on Western medieval manuscripts, including their production, decoration, readership, and use. Grants of up to £2,000 (exceptionally up to £7,500) fund postdoctoral-level research over 12–24 months, covering direct research expenses such as travel, consumables, and specialist assistance, while excluding conference attendance or unrelated costs.

Programme Overview

The Neil Ker Memorial Fund, administered by the British Academy, enables scholars to undertake focused research on Western medieval manuscripts. The fund prioritizes projects with well-defined objectives that produce identifiable research outcomes within the funded period.

Eligible Research Areas

• Production of Western medieval manuscripts, including decoration

• Readership, use, and circulation of manuscripts

• Conservation-related research integral to scholarly objectives

Funding Details

• Typical Award: Up to £2,000

• Exceptional Award: Up to £7,500

• Duration: 12 months (exceptionally up to 24 months)

• Eligible Costs:

  • Travel for research-related discussions in the UK or abroad

  • Project planning and development costs

  • Research assistance and short-term consultancy

  • Consumables (datasets, photocopies, microfilms)

  • Specialist software

  • Field interpreters

  • Preparation of illustrations central to the research

• Ineligible Costs: Institutional overheads, computer hardware, books, editorial tasks, production costs, personal maintenance at home, replacement teaching, non-research travel, and conference attendance

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic Level: Postdoctoral or equivalent

• Exclusions: Postgraduate students are not eligible

• Geography: Applicants worldwide, provided the work has not commenced

• Research Requirements: Must be well-defined and discrete with a clear, achievable outcome

Application Process

1. Submit a complete application online by 7 January 2026, 17:00 GMT

2. Ensure there are no outstanding reports from previous British Academy grants

3. Applicants may hold or apply for only one grant at a time

4. Duplicate applications across Academy schemes are not permitted

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

• Academic merit and originality

• Scholarly importance and relevance

• Methodology and feasibility

• Clarity of research plan and intended outcomes

• Track record and academic stage

• Language competence, where relevant
  Additional considerations include:

• Availability of partner funding

• Potential for capacity building

• Value for money

Why This Fund Matters

• Supports focused research on medieval manuscripts, enhancing understanding of historical, cultural, and artistic contexts

• Enables postdoctoral scholars to complete well-defined projects with tangible outcomes

• Promotes original and methodologically sound research in Western manuscript studies

Common Tips for Applicants

• Clearly define research objectives and expected outcomes

• Request funding only for eligible direct research costs

• Avoid submitting duplicate applications across Academy schemes

• Ensure all previous grant reports are completed and approved

• Demonstrate methodological rigor and feasibility within the funded timeframe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? Postdoctoral-level researchers; postgraduate students are ineligible.
2. What is the typical grant amount? £2,000, with exceptional cases up to £7,500.
3. What research areas are supported? Western medieval manuscript production, decoration, readership, use, and related conservation.
4. What costs are covered? Travel, research assistance, consumables, software, field interpreters, consultancy, and illustrations central to the research.
5. What costs are not covered? Conferences, institutional overheads, equipment, personal maintenance, replacement teaching, and non-research travel.
6. When is the application deadline? 7 January 2026, 17:00 GMT.
7. Can I submit more than one application? No, duplicate applications across Academy schemes are not allowed.

Conclusion

The Neil Ker Memorial Fund 2026 offers postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct focused, high-impact studies on Western medieval manuscripts, providing targeted support for direct research activities. By funding clearly defined projects with measurable outcomes, the programme strengthens scholarship and advances understanding in medieval manuscript studies.

For more information, visit The British Academy.