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Conference Funding

conference funding

i. organising a conference:

If you plan to organize a conference you are likely to have to approach various bodies and institutes for funding. Eligibility will depend on (i) the theme of the conference; (ii) the academic status and/or nationality of the organisers; (iii) the venue and targeted audience. Society membership may also be a condition to apply. Remember that once you secure a small grant, you may use it as leverage with other organisations. Here are some of the options open to postgraduates:

  • Warwick's Humanities Research Centre: the Doctoral Fellowship Competition offers the successful applicants funding and support to organize a day conference on an area related to their research. It's a great way to get the specialists come to you! Look out for the call for applications
  • Warwick's Institute for Advanced Study has limited funding available for PhD students' projects (workshops) which "enhance collaborative and interdisciplinary research of international calibre at the University", in association with the Library's Research Exchange initiative -look out for calls
  • Society for French Studies (conference grants): the SFS offers grants in support of conferences held in the UK or Ireland and concerned with research in any area of French Studies. This includes one-day conferences and seminars, and postgraduate conferences. There are two deadlines per year
  • The Society for Renaissance Studies Small Conference Grants: between £200 and £600 for financial support for conferences. Deadlines: 1st April and 1st December (for conferences to take place within twelve months of the application).

ii. travelling to a conference:

If you have been invited to give a paper, always ask the organisers if there are provisions for, or arrangements to reimburse, travel and subsistence costs. If you have answered an open call for papers or just wish to attend, enquire whether there are special tariffs or bursaries for postgraduate students. This is especially the case for conferences organised or sponsored by subject or area-based Societies. There are some small funds available elsewhere: