• Applications should have a clear scientific focus. It is not the practice of the Society to fund general proposals such as student expeditions.
• Applicants are required to provide one supporting statement from a supervisor or other suitable person familiar with their work and with whom they must discuss their project prior to application. A supporting statement from someone suitably qualified and familiar with the details of the candidate’s topic of study is strongly recommended. The supporting statement will be used for confirmation of ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed research (i.e. it will be used as a letter of reference) and for verification of the need for research grant funding. The Supporting Statement Form can be emailed directly to [email protected] or it can accompany the application form.
• Applicants in receipt of NERC (or other UKRI) funding will need to make a strong case for funding although new, innovative opportunities will be considered.
• The Society will not consider applications for grants to compensate for insufficient funding of studentships.
• The Society will not provide funding where there has been a failure by the research supervisor to seek the full cost of associated field or laboratory work. The applicant’s supervisor must explain clearly in their supporting form the reasons for the funding deficit where there has been a failure by the research supervisor to seek the full cost of associated field or laboratory work.
• Applications which the Committee considers to be premature, e.g. too early in the applicant’s course, will be ruled out.
• All applications are judged on the scientific excellence of the project. In deciding between those of equal merit, preference will be given to those who make the strongest case for financial support.
• All applicants will receive a brief statement of feedback. This statement is intended to be constructive and to aid the applicant with future funding applications they write. No further feedback will be provided, however feedback can be clarified if any comments are unclear to the applicant.
- All applicants are required to be Fellows at the time of receipt of the grant money. If you are not yet a Fellow, you must complete an application in order to receive your grant.
- The grant may be used only for the purposes described in your application as approved by the Society’s Research Grants Committee. If you are unable to use the grant for the specific purpose for which it was intended, please contact the Society before spending any portion of the grant.
- If any significant changes are likely to be made to the project’s scope or scale, before or during implementation, or if the project’s timetable is delayed, it is important to inform us immediately and to obtain approval for any variations. If changes are made without our agreement, we may consider reclaiming any funds not used for the intended purpose.
- Successful applicants must produce a report, either interim or full, 12 months from receipt of grant payment. There is no specific format but the preferred style is more a piece of geoscientific journalism than a learned paper. It must be no more than three pages clearly identifying the purpose of the research and what has been achieved, i.e. the results, rather than accounting in a financial sense on how the money was spent. It must state whether the recipient has had articles published or about to be published. Failure to produce a report will make future applications ineligible.
- Recipients must ensure acknowledgement of funding from the Society in all publications relating to the funded project.
- Successful applicants may be asked to write a piece for the Society’s magazine, Geoscientist, and blog
- Reports may be published on the Society’s website.
- Payments will generally be made by BACS. If your application is successful, we will require BACS details to make payment.
Privacy Statement
The information contained you submit with your form will be processed by the Geological Society for the purposes of administering your grant application. It will only be shared with external referees from the relevant committees as part of the review process. For more information, please refer to the Privacy Notice on our website www.geolsoc.org.uk/privacy
If you have any further questions regarding your application, please contact the Awards Secretary – [email protected]
Are you interested in research funding awards and would like to learn more as part of our Research Grants Committee panel?
You invited to submit your expression of interest to sit on the pool of Fellows that we call upon for our annual Research Grants Committee. You will work alongside other experienced Fellows and Society staff. The time requirement can vary dependent upon the number of applications received, but is typically ~8 hours each round.
The 2024 panel will convene in late February 2024 – (date and time tbc subject to availability.)
Please submit an expression of interest (no more than 300 words), including details of current position and area of expertise, via email to [email protected]. Expressions will be carried forward for a three-year period unless you indicate otherwise. Expression of interest from Early Career Researchers are warmly welcomed.