The RAS awards grants in support of studies in astronomy and geophysics.
Small Grants – Assessment Process
A new pilot continuous grant scheme has been introduced to improve the RAS grants application and assessment process. As the scheme is being trialled, the Society appreciates applicants’ patience and understanding while it is evaluated and refined
How applications will be assessed
Most small grant applications will be reviewed at four points during the year.
- At each cut-off date, all complete and eligible applications received up to that point will be collated and assessed within a single round.
- Applications received after a cut-off date will be carried forward to the next available round.
- Applicants are advised to submit in good time, particularly where activities are time-sensitive.
- Applicants will normally be notified of the outcome within five weeks of the relevant deadline.
Travel grants – timing requirements
To ensure sufficient time for assessment and planning:
- Applications for travel grants must relate to conferences taking place no earlier than six weeks after the relevant deadline.
- Conferences must also take place within six months of the same deadline.
Applications that fall outside these timeframes may not be considered.
Exceptions
- Education and Outreach grants will be assessed twice per year only, in the March and September rounds.
- Undergraduate and young German Astronomical Society/ RAS (jAG/RAS) summer school bursaries will be assessed once per year only, in the March round.
Applicants should ensure they select the appropriate round for their scheme.
Assessment deadlines
- Round 1: 31 January
- Round 2: 31 March (includes Education & Outreach grants, jAG/RAS and Undergraduate bursaries)
- Round 3: 31 May
- Round 4: 30 September (includes Education & Outreach grants)
Additional guidance
- Where an application is received shortly after a deadline, the applicant should note that it will be considered in the next round.
- As applications are assessed competitively within each round, outcomes may vary depending on the number and strength of applications received.
Grants available:
Activities relating to the history of astronomy and geophysics
Conference/Meeting Travel Subsistence
Instrumentation - RAS Tomkins awards
Observing/Field Trips including E.A. Milne Travelling Fellowship
Please read the criteria for grants before applying. To apply, please access the form here.
In addition, the RAS:
- Assists in the administration of the Paneth Trust, which offers funding for internships and other purposes.
- Supports, where possible, postdoctoral fellowships including the RAS Research Fellowships, the Sir Norman Lockyer Fellowship and the RAS Daphne Jackson Fellowship.
- Will, on application, consider contributing to the costs of overseas based Fellows who might otherwise be unable to attend a National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) at which they intend to make an active contribution.
- Funds visits by UK astronomers to developing countries under the RAS-OAD Visiting Experts Programme.
- Will support agreed developing country capacity-building activities by Fellows adhering to the Society's International Capacity Building Principles.
Many of the Society's grants are only available thanks to legacies. You may wish to make your own legacy to support the Society's work.
Applications are assessed on a competitive basis, and successful proposals receive awards drawn from the Society's Research and Grants Funds supported by the generosity of our benefactors listed below.
Benefactors
The Society's Research and Grants Funds are indebted to the following generous benefactors:
- Milne Traveling Foundation
- The Patricia Tomkins Foundation
- The C. A. G. Bearpark Trust
- Mrs Jelley's Bequest
- The E. W. Brown Trust
- The Plummer Bequest
- The A. G. Stillhammer Trust
- The Victor Nadarov Fund
- The William McCrea Fund
- The Hosie Bequest