Seminar Series Awards

The deadline for applications to this award has now passed.
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The USF Seminar Series Awards aim to support the generation of internationally excellent research in all areas of urban studies. The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) seeks to support up to twelve awards in the 2022 round of the scheme, in each case up to a maximum of £15,000 per award (or £20,000 for proposals containing eligible training elements, see terms). Proposals dealing with any topic or sub-field within urban studies will be considered. The deadline for applications to this grant funding scheme is 1st December 2022.

All proposals should be capable of generating scholarly debate and dialogue that is compelling and timely, and which can contribute to impactful publications and/or other outputs. The USF welcomes applications from academics, researchers, and educators working in any country or institution worldwide, and expects the proposal to be of international interest in terms of its coverage and scope. Details of funded Seminar Series proposals from previous years may be found on the USF website, and samples of successful proposals are available upon request via email.

Additional funding of £5,000 is available to proposals that incorporate training elements for early career researchers (defined as doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and research/teaching associates or lecturers within five years of their PhD). Applicants that wish to be considered for this additional funding should indicate what specific training need(s) they will address, the activities they will incorporate to meet the need(s), and how the funds will be used. The USF encourages proposals for novel and engaging training activities.

The USF particularly welcomes applications from Global South scholars and institutions, and at least half of the awards will be made to support suitable proposals that involve at least one host institution or venue in Global South countries (defined here via the OECD list of ODA recipients). To support this aim, the prohibition of institutional overheads will be waived for host institutions based in these countries (see terms). Proposals should also demonstrate an active engagement with issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The USF also welcomes applications that seriously engage with the challenges posed by the climate crisis and COVID-19 pandemic (including in terms of event planning logistics, such as the justification of long-haul travel). Value-for-money is an essential component of all successful proposals, and budgets should demonstrate an excellent use of the funding requested (if possible, this might include third-party funding and/or in-kind support).

Whilst the emphasis must still be on the generation of high-quality urban studies research, the publications and other outputs that this grant seeks to encourage may be wide-ranging in format and focus. The USF also looks favourably upon proposals that seek to engage and/or support participation from non-academic partner organisations and audiences.

To apply for this funding, please consult the Further Particulars available below for the full terms of eligibility and guidance for this grant scheme. Candidates must ensure they have read and consulted this guidance in full before applying.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for this grant include:

  • Proposals must be for at least three events in one or more host institutions/venues globally.
  • Eligible types of events may include research seminars, colloquia, round-tables, and public talks. Any of which may have workshop and training components. Events may be in-person, virtual, or a mixture of both.
  • Proposals must be supported by at least one academic and/or non-profit organisation (the primary host organisation) who are willing and capable to receive and administer the total grant funding, without charging overheads (Global South institutions are exempt from this requirement, see terms below).
  • Events must be scheduled to begin within twelve months of the deadline for applications (i.e. start before December 1st 2023) and finish within twenty-four months (i.e. completed by 1st December 2024).
  • Up to three co-applicants may be named, but at least one applicant should be an academic, researcher, or educator working within the field of urban studies.

How to apply

Candidates must complete the online application form below no later than 1st December 2022 (23:59 UK time). A link to the online application form can be found below, along with an application template (.docx) that may be used to assist offline preparation beforehand (recommended).

Applications to the funding must include:

    • A completed application form with applicant and proposal information, made via the USF website online form.
    • Applicant CVs (maximum two pages each).
    • A letter of support from each host institution(s) or venue(s).
    • Budget evidence documentation.
    • Event programme details (optional file upload, maximum two pages)

All prospective candidates must first consult the Further Particulars and FAQ for this grant scheme (which may be updated during the call). Applications which do not adhere to the terms of eligibility and guidance available in the Further Particulars will not be accepted.

All applicants will be requested to voluntarily complete an anonymous Equality & Diversity monitoring survey after submitting their application. The survey and any information volunteered with it is anonymous and entirely separate from individual applications (it is not used in the assessment process). It is used only for monitoring who applies to USF awards on aggregate, so that the USF may regularly assess and improve how it advertises and administers its grant funding.

The USF aims to make a decision on all applications within eight weeks of the closing deadline for this award, and all applicants will be contacted regarding their application outcome. The USF regrets that it cannot offer any feedback on applications, and all decisions are final. Further information on the standard administration of all USF awards can be found here.

After consulting the documents below, further questions regarding this grant and application process may be addressed to the Urban Studies Foundation via email: grants@urbanstudiesfoundation.org

Downloads and application form

Further Particulars (.pdf)

Template Form (.docx)

Frequently Asked Questions (.pdf)

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