What are the funding opportunities for historical research collaboration?

1 Types of funding

There are various types of funding sources for historical research collaboration, depending on the scope, duration, and objectives of your project. Grants are usually competitive awards that provide financial support for a specific research project or programme, often with predefined themes, criteria, and deadlines. Fellowships offer stipends, travel expenses, and access to resources for a period of time. Networks are informal or formal groups of researchers who share common interests, goals, and methods. Examples of grants include the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Collaborative Research Grants, the European Commission Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, and the British Academy Global Professorships. Examples of fellowships include the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship in Digital Humanities, the Fulbright Scholar Program, and the Getty Research Institute Scholars Program. Examples of networks include the International Network for the History of Hospitals, the European Network for the Theory and Practice of Biography, and the Global Urban History Project.

2 Benefits of funding

Securing funding for your historical research collaboration can bring many benefits. It can enable you to pursue your research questions and ideas more fully and creatively, while also enhancing your academic profile and reputation. Furthermore, it can expand your professional network and skills, by exposing you to new perspectives, approaches, and challenges. Additionally, it can contribute to the advancement of historical knowledge and understanding, by generating new insights and evidence.

3 Challenges of funding

Finding and securing funding for your historical research collaboration can be a challenge, as there is often high competition and low success rates due to limited funding sources. Additionally, you have to meet complex and varied requirements and expectations, as different funding sources have different application processes, formats, criteria, and deadlines. Furthermore, you must manage practical and ethical issues, as funding sources may impose certain conditions, restrictions, or obligations on your project. Issues such as intellectual property, data protection, consent, and accountability must be addressed.

4 Tips for funding

If you want to increase your chances of finding and securing funding for your historical research collaboration, you should plan ahead by identifying potential funding sources and developing your research idea. Do your homework and research the funder, learning about their mission, vision, values, and interests. When writing your proposal, articulate your research question, objectives, methods, outcomes, and impact while demonstrating originality, relevance, feasibility, and quality. Ask for advice and feedback from collaborators, colleagues, mentors, or other experts. Additionally, be persistent and resilient by applying to multiple funding sources and revising and improving your proposal based on the results and feedback.

5 Resources for funding

Finally, to help you find and secure funding for your historical research collaboration, you can use databases and directories, newsletters and alerts, and guides and workshops. Examples of databases and directories include the Humanities and Social Sciences Online (H-Net) Funding Announcements, the Institute of Historical Research Funding Opportunities Database, and the European Research Council Funding Opportunities Portal. Examples of newsletters and alerts include the American Historical Association Grants and Fellowships Bulletin, the European Association for Urban History Newsletter, and the World History Association Funding Alerts. Examples of guides and workshops include the NEH Application Writing Workshops, the British Academy Guide to Writing a Grant Application, and the Society for the History of Technology Guide to Funding Sources. These resources can provide regular updates on funding sources, opportunities, deadlines, practical advice on how to apply for funding sources, as well as examples and best practices.