Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Honor Frost Foundation’s Career Development Grants provide up to £2,000 to support early career researchers working in or connected to the eastern Mediterranean to attend conferences, training courses, and fieldwork relevant to their research. Priority is given to applicants from Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, as well as researchers working in these countries or the wider eastern Mediterranean, particularly in maritime archaeology and related fields.
About the Career Development Grant Program
The Honor Frost Foundation Career Development Grants support early career researchers seeking professional development opportunities connected to their academic studies or research.
The grants are particularly relevant to maritime archaeology, underwater cultural heritage, and related research disciplines in the eastern Mediterranean.
Funding enables researchers to access professional opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to afford, including international conferences, specialist training, and fieldwork.
Why It Matters
Professional development opportunities can help early career researchers build expertise, develop international networks, and contribute to archaeological research in the eastern Mediterranean.
The programme can help applicants:
- Gain specialist research and fieldwork experience.
- Attend relevant academic conferences.
- Participate in professional training courses.
- Build connections with researchers and institutions.
- Develop knowledge relevant to maritime archaeology.
- Strengthen their academic and professional profile.
- Contribute to the development of the field in the eastern Mediterranean.
What Does the Grant Support?
The grant can support costs associated with participating in a relevant conference, training course, or fieldwork opportunity.
Eligible costs may include:
- Airfare.
- Local and other travel expenses.
- Visa costs.
- Participant or registration fees.
- Other justified costs directly related to the approved activity.
Applicants should provide a clear explanation of why each requested expense is necessary.
Funding Amount
Applicants can receive up to £2,000 per award.
The Foundation intends the grant to cover most, if not all, of the costs associated with participating in the proposed professional development activity.
However, funding is assessed individually, so applicants should provide a realistic and justified budget rather than automatically requesting the maximum amount.
Who Is Eligible?
The programme is aimed at early career researchers working in or connected to the eastern Mediterranean.
Priority is given to:
- Researchers from Cyprus.
- Researchers from Lebanon.
- Researchers from Egypt.
- Researchers from Syria.
- Researchers of other nationalities working in these countries.
- Researchers working elsewhere in the broader eastern Mediterranean region.
- Applicants working in maritime archaeology and related fields.
The Foundation particularly welcomes applications where the proposed opportunity has a clear connection to the applicant’s research or career development.
Eligible Activities
Applicants may seek support for professional opportunities such as:
Conferences
Researchers can request funding to attend academic or professional conferences relevant to their research interests.
Training Courses
Specialist training can be supported where it provides skills or knowledge that directly contribute to the applicant’s research or professional development.
Fieldwork
Funding may support participation in relevant fieldwork projects, particularly where the activity contributes to research in maritime archaeology or related areas.
Applicants Awaiting Confirmation
Applicants do not necessarily need to have final confirmation of participation when applying.
The Foundation encourages applications from researchers who have already secured a place at a relevant event or training opportunity.
Applications may also be considered from researchers who are awaiting confirmation or seeking to attend an opportunity that is closely connected to their research interests.
Applicants should clearly explain the status of their participation and why the opportunity is important to their career development.
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify a Relevant Opportunity
Choose a conference, training course, fieldwork project, or similar professional development activity that is directly connected to your studies or research.
Step 2: Explain Its Relevance
Clearly describe how participating in the activity will contribute to:
- Your research.
- Your professional development.
- Your career progression.
- The development of your field or research community in the region.
Step 3: Prepare a Budget
Provide a detailed and justified breakdown of the costs you are requesting.
Include relevant expenses such as:
- Flights.
- Travel.
- Visa fees.
- Participation or registration fees.
- Other essential costs.
Step 4: Provide Supporting Information
Include information demonstrating the relevance of the event, course, or fieldwork and your connection to the eastern Mediterranean research community.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Submit the bursary application to the Honor Frost Foundation for individual assessment.
Applicants should ideally apply at least three months before the funding is required.
This is particularly important when a visa is required.
Application Review and Timeline
Career Development Grant applications are reviewed monthly, typically around the 10th of each month.
Funding decisions are generally made by the end of the month.
Applicants should therefore plan ahead and avoid submitting applications shortly before travel or participation is required.
A recommended application timeline is at least three months before funds are needed, particularly for international travel and visa applications.
Visa and Documentation Support
The Foundation can provide letters of support for visa applications and official documentation when required.
Such support is available once funding has been secured.
Applicants who require visas should therefore factor the funding decision and visa processing period into their planning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants can strengthen their submissions by avoiding the following issues:
- Applying too close to the date funding is needed.
- Providing an unclear or unsupported budget.
- Failing to explain how the activity relates to their research.
- Requesting costs that are not clearly justified.
- Providing insufficient information about the conference, course, or fieldwork.
- Failing to explain their connection to the eastern Mediterranean.
- Treating the grant simply as general travel funding rather than professional development support.
Application Tips
A strong application should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed activity and the applicant’s career development.
Applicants should:
- Explain the professional value of the opportunity.
- Link the activity directly to their current research.
- Provide a realistic cost breakdown.
- Explain the expected skills or knowledge gained.
- Highlight how participation could benefit research or professional networks in the region.
- Apply well in advance of the required funding date.
- Consider visa processing times when planning international activities.
Key Grant Details
- Grant: Honor Frost Foundation Career Development Grant
- Maximum award: £2,000
- Target applicants: Early career researchers
- Geographic focus: Eastern Mediterranean
- Priority countries: Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria
- Key field: Maritime archaeology and related disciplines
- Eligible activities: Conferences, training courses, fieldwork, and relevant professional development
- Eligible costs: Airfare, travel, visas, participant fees, and justified related expenses
- Application review: Monthly
- Typical review date: Around the 10th
- Funding decision: Generally by the end of the month
- Recommended application timing: At least three months before funds are needed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Career Development Grant Program?
It is a grant programme from the Honor Frost Foundation that supports early career researchers with the costs of attending conferences, training courses, fieldwork, and other relevant professional development opportunities.
How much funding can applicants receive?
Applicants can receive up to £2,000 per award.
Who receives priority?
Priority is given to researchers from Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, as well as researchers working in these countries or the wider eastern Mediterranean region.
Does the grant support maritime archaeology?
Yes. Maritime archaeology and related fields are a particular focus of the programme, although applications are assessed based on the relevance of the proposed activity and its contribution to career development and the field.
Can I apply if my participation has not yet been confirmed?
Yes. The Foundation welcomes applications from people who have secured a place as well as those awaiting confirmation or seeking to attend an opportunity closely related to their research.
When are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed monthly, typically around the 10th, with funding generally awarded by the end of the month.
How early should I apply?
Applicants are advised to apply at least three months before the funds are needed, especially if a visa is required. The Foundation can provide visa and official documentation support after funding has been secured.
Conclusion
The Honor Frost Foundation Career Development Grants provide targeted financial support for early career researchers seeking to strengthen their expertise, networks, and research careers in the eastern Mediterranean. With awards of up to £2,000, the programme can help cover essential costs for conferences, specialist training, and fieldwork, particularly in maritime archaeology and related disciplines. Applying early, providing a well-justified budget, and clearly demonstrating the connection between the proposed activity and career development are key to a strong application.
For more information, visit Honor Frost Foundation.