Deadline: 15-Oct-2025
The Royal Irish Academy has launched its Archaeological Archives Research Grant Programme to support research and analysis of artefacts and other materials from excavations in Ireland (including Northern Ireland).
The aims and priorities of this scheme are: To get the most value from archaeological material that has already been excavated, in the context of the finite nature of the archaeological resource. To support original or innovative research that explores standalone questions and adds new knowledge to archaeology.
Most grants awarded will range between €5,000 and €20,000. Archaeologists and archaeology researchers, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, are eligible to apply, provided their research is based in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Funding can cover a range of research costs including specialist fees, services, materials, travel, accommodation, and, where justified, salary costs. Applicants must provide a detailed breakdown of research costs and, if relevant, quotes from specialists. In cases where projects require licences to alter or export materials, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the National Museum of Ireland or the Department for Communities and include their confirmation of support in principle.
Certain restrictions apply. Funding will not cover excavations, surveys, or fieldwork, nor can it be used for institutional overheads or standard equipment. Applications from those with overdue excavation reports or previously incomplete RIA-funded projects will not be eligible.
Applicants are required to submit two referee contacts and one formal letter verifying their competency. For PhD students, this must come from their supervisor. All required documents must be included for the application to be considered eligible. Applications will be assessed based on their relevance to the grant’s goals, the applicant’s experience, the quality of the project design, resources and methodology, and the plan for dissemination of results.
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by the Grants subcommittee of the Standing Committee for Archaeology, with final recommendations ratified by the Committee. Feedback will be provided to all applicants, whether successful or not. Successful projects must be completed by November 2026, with decisions expected before the end of November 2025.
For more information, visit RIA.
