British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
UK-Middle East Capacity Sharing Partnerships
NB: Information on this page relates to the 2008 competition. In 2009, the UK-Middle East Capacity-Sharing Partnerships scheme will be run through the Academy's online grants application system. It is currently expected that a call will be made in early August for a deadline in late-September. Potential applicants are advised to look at last year's application form in order to have a clear idea in advance of the information required. Please sign up to the Academy's Email Bulletin to receive up to date information as it becomes available.
In an initiative developed by the British Academy's Middle East Panel, two awards of up to £10,000 a year for up to three years are available to support the development of ongoing links between UK and Middle East research centres or institutions, within the humanities and social sciences. The link would be built around a specific research theme of mutual interest. This could be carried forward through visits in both directions; workshops; seminars and lecture programmes; collaborative research; and joint publications. The programme might form part of either institution's training programme and will ideally involve participation from more than one Middle Eastern institution, and might also involve more than one department/university/group/research centre in the UK.
Aim of the award: The scheme is intended to foster UK-Middle East links, with an emphasis on helping scholars in the UK and Middle East to develop research skills and to produce a joint research outcome.
Scope: Priority will be given to projects with a training element, such as the support and development of staff or postgraduate students (in the UK and in the Middle East). The scheme is intended to benefit early-career scholars from both the UK and Middle East, and projects will be highly regarded where they include junior academics from both sides. Visits might be undertaken for staff exchange, supplying teaching elements to courses and developing joint curricula. Workshops and seminars should form an integral part of the programme, and involve both staff and postgraduate students. It is expected that each programme should produce papers or some other joint research outcome designed for publication.
Level of award: Grants are offered up to a maximum of £10,000 per year for up to 3 years.
Period of award: up to 3 years. Funding for years 2 and 3 will be conditional upon receipt of satisfactory annual progress reports.
Closing date: 4th July 2008
Further information: view Notes for Applicants.
Method of application: on the UK-Middle East Academic Partnerships form.
Please contact the International Relations Department for further advice.