Research Grants

The Research Grants scheme was established to commemorate the Society’s Centenary in 1993. Under this scheme the Society anticipates making at least five awards per year, each with a value of up to £1,000, to support research on molluscs that is likely to lead to publication. Grants are preferentially conferred on students and researchers without professional positions, but without regard to nationality or membership of the Society. Preference is also given to discrete research projects that fall within the subject areas covered by the Society’s journal, Journal of Molluscan Studies. Applicants should bear in mind these criteria when submitting an application. In addition applications will be assessed in terms of scientific merit, significance and financial value of the research project, and the degree to which the proposed research will benefit the scientific aspirations of the applicant.

Successful applications to the Research Grants scheme that are concerned with the study of Bivalvia may be awarded as Sir Charles Maurice Yonge Awards.

Conditions
Recipients of Research Grants are required to submit a brief report to the Society within a month of completing the work supported by the award. In addition, an article of approximately 1000 words should be submitted for publication in ‘The Malacologist’, the Society’s newsletter. Any delay or alteration of the work originally proposed should be notified in advance to the Honorary Awards Secretary at the above address. Financial support from the Society should be acknowledged in any publication arising from the research.

For Research Grants, payment will be made to the successful applicant before the work commences.

Any enquiries should be directed to the Honorary Awards Secretary.

Completion of the Application Form:

The application form is in three sections. When completing the form, a font size of at least 10 pt Times New Roman or Arial must be used.

Section A – Complete all sections.

Section B – The title should emphasise the core aspects of the research project to be undertaken. The proposed start date should take into consideration the fact that awards will be announced by the 31st March. The duration of the project must be given and awards are made for research taking up to 12 months.

Education and employment histories should be listed in reverse chronological order. Provide a brief account of your research experience and explain its relevance to the proposed research project. If you have any publications, these should be listed in reverse chronological order (maximum of four publications); less established researchers will not be expected to have published work. The details of the persons supplying letters of recommendation should be listed; note that it is your responsibility to submit the letters of recommendation with your application.

Section C – Specify whether or not the research raises any ethical issues (Question 11). State the aims of the research project clearly and concisely and list its main objectives (Question 12). The ‘Project details’ (Question 13) should include background, experimental approach, an outline timetable, budget statement, expected outcomes and key references. This section should be written concisely and must be contained within the space provided. It should also explain why the research needs to be done and how it will benefit the field of malacology.

An application form for a research grant can be found here.

Guidance

These guidance notes are available in Word format from here