British Association for Romantic Studies

British Association for Romantic Studies

Website of the British Association for Romantic Studies (BARS), set up in 1989 by academics to promote the study of the cultural history of the Romantic period.

BARS Open Fellowship

The BARS Open Fellowship

The Open Fellowship is available to scholars at any career stage undertaking exceptional work at the forefront of Romantic studies to support research expenses of up to £2000. Expenses may include, but are not limited to, costs emerging from: travel and accommodation for research-focused or archival visits; photocopying and digitisation; caring commitments; producing and circulating teaching resources; organising and delivering public outreach activities; setting up and running networks or collaborations; set up and maintenance costs for online platforms such as blogs and websites.

Awards will be made based upon the significance and relevance of the project rather than upon the career status or affiliation of the applicant. This award is highly competitive and cannot be made retrospectively. Applicants are encouraged to consider applying for the maximum amount, if appropriate, although submitting applications below the threshold will not adversely affect the judgement of the awarding panel. Please indicate any relevant existing funding – match funding (whether cash or in-kind) will be looked upon positively. We anticipate awarding one Open Fellowship in any given year; in exceptional circumstances, additional awards may be made. Successful applicants need not be based in the UK, but must be members of BARS before taking up the award.

The inaugural 2023 Open Fellowship awardee was Dr Patricia Matthew (Montclair State University) for a project titled ‘Trust and the Archives: New Methodologies for Inclusion’.

Please download and complete the linked form when applying for this scheme. 

BARS-Fellowships-pro-forma-2024Download

The name(s) of the recipient(s) will be announced on the BARS website and social media.

The awardee or awardees will be expected to work with BARS on a report or other project dissemination activity. This could take the form of a written piece for the BARS Blog; a video or podcast; or a talk or a digital event. We are open to suggestion and applicants are invited to pitch an idea for this element of the award in the application.

Applications and informal queries should be directed to the Bursaries Officer, Dr Gerard McKeever (gerard.mckeever@ed.ac.uk) at the University of Edinburgh. If you require further guidance about the funding aspects of the scheme, please feel free to contact the Treasurer, Dr Cassie Ulph (bars.treasurer@gmail.com).

There will be one round of the BARS Open Fellowship in each calendar year: the closing date for the 2025 round will be 5pm on Friday, 8 November 2024. In usual circumstances, applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision within four weeks of this closing date. It is anticipated that the successful applicant(s) would take up their award as close to the commencement of 2025 as practicable.