Royal Archaeological Institute Research Fund
Royal Archaeological Institute Research Fund supports archaeologists, including amateurs and volunteers, with research grants that advance archaeological investigation and public access to results.
Browse similar grants
Funder: Royal Archaeological Institute
Due Dates: December 7, 2026 (Applications and references) | December 10, 2027 (Recipient report and accounts)
Funding Amounts: RAI Research Fund: small three-figure awards up to £5,000; funds must be spent in the award year
Summary: Supports archaeological research, prioritising British Isles projects with significant part-time, amateur and volunteer involvement.
Key Information: Long-term projects, standalone documentary research, and undergraduate or postgraduate work are not eligible.
Description
The Royal Archaeological Institute provides annual research grants to encourage archaeological investigation. Supported work includes fieldwork, survey, aspects of excavation and post-excavation research, architectural recording and analysis, and artefact and art-historical research. Its Research Committee considers applications each winter, with particular interest in small projects and the involvement of part-time and amateur archaeologists, architectural historians and historians.
Preference normally goes to projects relating to and undertaken within the British Isles that involve significant amateur, part-time and volunteer participation. Professionally led projects must clearly explain that participation. All projects must propose outreach or information provision to the wider public, specifying who will be engaged and how. The Institute also favours requests for a specific, readily identifiable project element rather than general project support.
