Small Grants in Humanities and Social Science
Small Grants fund programmes of activities that enable researchers to establish and develop networks, explore new areas of research and increase the impact of their work.
Where your host organisation is based:
UK, Republic of Ireland, Low- and middle-income countries
Level of funding:
Usually up to £30,000
Duration of funding:
Flexible, usually 6 to 12 months but can be longer
Who can apply
You can apply for a Small Grant if you’re a humanities and social science researcher who wants to do one or more of the following:
- establish and develop professional networks
- explore new areas of research
- increase the impact of your work.
You must propose a programme of events or activities, not one-off events or activities.
The programme could include a combination of different activities. Examples of eligible activities include:
- organising conferences (including annual conferences), seminars, meetings or workshops
- carrying out developmental or exploratory research projects, including archival scoping or proof of concept work.
Your activities could involve policy makers, healthcare practitioners or other groups relevant to your research.
You should apply through a university or other research organisation based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or a low- or middle-income country. Go to the World Bank website to see a list of low- and middle-income countries.
What you should consider
When applying, you should state:
- your experience and contributions in this area of research
- what you want to achieve with your programme of activities
- how your activities will link together to achieve your aims
- who your partners, stakeholders and participants will be
- the budget for your activities.
Current grantholders
Our current humanities and social science grantholders can apply for a Small Grant to enhance their existing award so that they can explore new opportunities or research ideas.
Who can't apply
You can't apply if you want to:
- organise a one-off event
- travel to and attend a conference
- write up a book
- undertake an academic course, such as a Master's degree or PhD
- extend a current humanities and social science grant to complete activities relating to your original aims – instead, please email hssgrants@wellcome.ac.uk
- engage with a non-specialist public audience – instead see our Provision for Public Engagement within Research Grants.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.