Social History Society Small Grants – Apply by March

About the Grant

The Social History Society Small Grants programme offers crucial research and event funding for historians to support valuable work in social and cultural history. With the 1 March deadline, this round is specifically for projects and activities taking place between May and December. The grant is designed to help historians pursue work that might otherwise remain unfunded and to encourage wider dissemination of research, including opportunities that could lead to publication in Cultural and Social History or in the Society’s book series, as well as sessions at the Social History Society annual conference. The fund supports interdisciplinary projects, fieldwork, archival research, workshops and collaborations that deepen understanding of historical themes across different regions and time periods. Recipients gain support to organise events, cover direct research costs and engage with a broader research community, strengthening their academic profile and impact.

Grant Details

Grant Name: Social History Society Small Grants
Funding Agency/Institution: Social History Society
Location: United Kingdom
Research Fields: Social History, Cultural History
Grant Type: Small Research and Event Grant
Project Duration: Activities taking place May–December
Funding Amount: Up to £1,000
Grant Start Date (Expected): Following the decision within two months of submission
Mode of Research: Individual and collaborative research activities
Application Type: Open call (March deadline)

Research Areas Supported

Social History research
Cultural History studies
Academic events, workshops and seminars
Conference sessions aligned with social history themes

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Engagement in social or cultural history research or teaching
Career Stage: Open to all career stages, including postgraduate and senior researchers
Residency: Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK
Affiliation Requirements: Must be a member of the Social History Society (or willing to join)

Preferred Qualifications

Clear potential for dissemination through publication or conferences
Research that aligns with social or cultural history themes

Not Eligible

Projects unrelated to social or cultural history
Grants to cover course/tuition fees
Costs already funded through other sources

Grant Benefits

Funding Support: Up to £1,000 for directly incurred research and event costs
Travel Allowance: Support for travel and subsistence linked to research activities and events
Equipment and Materials: Funding for essential research consumables and equipment
Collaborative Support: Encouragement of workshops and events that bring historians together
Publication and Dissemination Support: Enables dissemination of research through academic outputs
Professional Development Opportunities: Networking via Society events and conference sessions

Key Responsibilities

Recipients are expected to:

Use funds for direct research or event costs
Provide a brief report on how the grant was spent
Acknowledge the Social History Society’s support in all publicity, event materials and resulting publications
Ensure that supported events are advertised on the Society’s website and are open to interested social historians