Funding
We are committed to providing funding to support our working group and PGN activities, and for our members. Our three individual funds are tailored to provide support at each stage of your academic career.
To be eligible for BISA funding you must have been a BISA member for at least six months prior to application, and remain a member throughout the funding period. See the pages linked below for further requirements for individual funds. Your research or teaching should relate to International Studies.
Early Career Small Research Grants (ECSRGs)
What is it? Apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to cover the cost of research expenses.
Application timeline: Applications opened on Monday 20 October 2025 and will close on 24 November 2025.
Eligibility: You must have been awarded your PhD within the last five years, you must hold an academic post for the period of the grant, and you must have been a current BISA member for at least six months.
Period: Awards are tenable for 1-12 months.
Aspiring Scholars Fund
What is it? The AspIRing Scholars Fund is designed to empower the next generation of early-career researchers and PhD students by supporting research - whether this be via research grants or funding to attend conferences.
Application timeline: TBC
Eligibility: You must be a student or early-career academic to benefit from this fund.
Period: TBC
Learning and Teaching Small Grants
What is it? Apply for funding of up to £3,000 to conduct a discrete piece of research related to pedagogy/teaching.
Application timeline: Applications opened on Monday 20 October 2025 and will close on 24 November 2025.
Eligibility: You must have been a BISA member for at least six months before applying. See the grant webpage for full eligibity listings.
Period: Awards are tenable for one year.
Face-to-Face Activity Fund - Working groups
What is it? To support cases where a face-to-face event is required, a small central Face-to-Face Activity Fund has been established for working groups that can clearly demonstrate the added value of holding a face-to-face event as opposed to a virtual one. Requests up to a maximum of £1,000 will be considered.
Deadline for grant applications: There are two application rounds over the academic year. The deadlines are 1 March and 1 September. Conveners will be emailed further details.
Eligibility: Grant applications must be made by the conveners of each working group using the online application form. You must have detailed plans for the funds requested and provide a detailed budget. Joint applications between working groups are welcomed. We encourage working groups to obtain match funding or in-kind contributions where possible and priority is given to working groups who demonstrate this. We are currently prioritising PGR and ECR travel bursaries but will also consider accommodation and catering costs where no alternative funding is available. We will not consider keynote speaker fees. Please note funds are for BISA members only.
You can also read working group rules and regulations or find out more general information about our working groups.
Postgraduate Network support
What is it? Each year we provide funding to the PGN to run activities and events.
Deadline for applications: None. The PGN committee request funds on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
All the above awards are subject to terms and conditions and these should be read before application. By making an application you are agreeing to abide by the current terms and conditions. Please note that terms and conditions are subject to change from time to time.
"The Grant funded the early stages of a project on peace curating at UK museum, enabling extended fieldwork in two sites. I was able to work with their collections, as well as conduct observations and interviews with curators at each museum. I was also able to attend a creative methods workshop to support further research developments. I would definitely encourage early career scholars to apply for these funds."
