Funding opportunities
The John Rylands Research Institute and Library has a range of funding opportunities available to researchers at every stage of their career.
Our grants provide exceptional scholars, from The University of Manchester and beyond, with the support required to undertake original and significant research using our world-class collections. We also support applications to a number of external postdoctoral schemes, such as the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust.
Grant holders have access to the John Rylands Research Institute and Library’s extensive and diverse collections, as well as to a strong community of outstanding researchers, curators and imaging specialists. We also offer tailored grant writing support for those wishing to apply for larger external grant schemes.
Information about all of our available funding opportunities, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found on this page.
Visiting Early Career Research Fellows
Visiting Early Career Research Fellowships 2022/23
The John Rylands Research Institute welcomes applications from Visiting Early Career Research Fellows.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Thursday 1 September 2022.
Fellowships are available for early career academics to develop an application for an externally funded postdoctoral fellowship (for example, through the British Academy or Wellcome Trust) to undertake a future research project using the Special Collections held in The University of Manchester Library. The purpose of the awards is to allow academics unfamiliar with either archival research or the rich holdings of The University of Manchester’s Special Collections the opportunity to identify areas of particular research promise.
Fellows will receive an allowance of up to £1,500 per month for a maximum of three months; a dedicated workspace in the John Rylands Library, and access to curatorial and grant-writing support.
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Pilot Grants
Pilot Grants 2023/24
Deadline for applications: 5pm, 17 April 2023
Pilot Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support academic staff at The University of Manchester who wish to conduct initial and exploratory research into the Special Collections at The University of Manchester Library during the 2023/24 academic year in preparation for a larger, externally funded grant bid that would be held at The University of Manchester.
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Scientific and Digital Humanities Grants
Scientific and Digital Humanities Grants 2023/24
Deadline for applications: 5pm, 17 April 2023
Scientific and Digital Humanities Grants of up to £5,000 are available to academic staff at The University of Manchester wishing to engage in research into the Special Collections of The University of Manchester Library using innovative scientific and digital methods.
We welcome applications from both those with extensive experience and those new to the field. These projects must be conducted in preparation for a larger, externally funded grant bid that would be held at The University of Manchester.