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.
Newberry Library – John Rylands Research Institute Exchange Fellowship
Newberry Library – John Rylands Research Institute Exchange Fellowship
One former fellow from the John Rylands Research Institute and Library at the University of Manchester (JRRI) may apply for a one-month fellowship at the Newberry, and vice versa.
Stipend: $3,000 USD (or equivalent in GBP)/month - please note this is to cover both travel and accommodation.
Length: 1 month
Who can apply: Former Newberry fellows (long- or short-term) may apply for a month in residence at the JRRI. Former JRRI fellows may apply for one month of fellowship at the Newberry.
Deadline: December 15 2023
Applications are submitted via the Newberry, please read further guidance here: Rylands-Newberry Guidance 2023-2024
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships, 2023-2024
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships, 2023/24
The John Rylands Research Institute welcomes applications to The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship scheme for research projects from any discipline that are linked to the world-class Special Collections of the University of Manchester Library. Early Career Fellowships are tenable on a full-time basis for a period of three years, and offer exceptional career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven track record of research.
Fellows will undertake a significant piece of publishable work, which must be distinguishable from their PhD project, during the period of their award. They will have access to our unique collections and be able to draw on the expertise of our curators. Fellows will also become part of a network of outstanding Special Collections scholars who are currently based at the Institute.
For more information about the scheme, including eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships.
All candidates who plan to apply to this scheme should contact the JRRIL to let us know of their intention to apply and for an initial discussion. We are happy to provide advice and to talk about ways that the application might draw on the rich Special Collections of the University of Manchester Library. Any queries should be directed to the Director, Professor Guyda Armstrong, in the first instance.
We advise all applicants to consult the Guide to Special Collections and the searchable
A-Z on the University of Manchester Library website for more information on our significant and extensive holdings. We also strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with relevant curators early on in the application planning process. Information about curators and their subject specialisms can be found on the JRRIL website. Those interested in applying will also need to contact a University of Manchester academic who can act as a sponsor for their application, and we will be able to advise on this if candidates do not already have someone in mind.
If you would like to apply for the scheme, please contact the Director (guyda.armstrong@manchester.ac.uk) in the first instance. You should then submit a full draft of your application using the template on The Leverhulme Trust web portal - https://grants.leverhulme.ac.uk/Login.aspx to jrri@manchester.ac.uk by the deadline Friday 10 November 2023.
Applications will then be assessed by an internal review panel, and successful applicants to this first stage will be offered tailored support from our Grant Writing team for the final application.