The University of Edinburgh
Munro Research Grants in Anthropology and Archaeology
Notes for applicants
The Munro Committee can only consider applications from academic staff employed at the
University of Edinburgh either in the subject areas of Social Anthropology or Archaeology
1.
BACKGROUND
Under the provisions of the University of Edinburgh (Fellowships, Scholarships and Bursaries)
Scheme 1971, the Munro Lectureship Committee administers the endowment fund left by Dr
Robert Munro to the University Court in 1910 for the purposes of funding lectures on Anthropology
and Prehistoric Archaeology. After paying the costs of the annual lecture series, the Committee, on
behalf of the Senatus Academicus, disburses the remainder of the monies to support archaeological
and anthropological research, by means of grants for living expenses, travel and project associated
costs.
2.
GENERAL NOTES
The sum available for grants in any one year is likely to be about £6,000 and the Committee usually
divides the sum between two or more applicants. The Committee will not accept long-term
commitments to individual projects; the award of a grant in one year is not a guarantee of support
in future years. Grants cannot be awarded for training purposes. Applications from postgraduate
students will not be considered.1
The area of interest specified by Dr Munro for the lectures is “the general field of Anthropology...”
Since the foundation of the Munro Lectureship endowment fund, 'Anthropology' has been taken to
include physical or biological anthropology, prehistoric archaeology and cultural or social
anthropology.
3.
MAKING AN APPLICATION
All applications must be made using the application form, together with a 2 page CV of the
applicant plus 2 page CVs for any other researchers you are requesting funds for.
Applicants should make sure all sections of the application form have been completed (put n/a
where relevant).
The closing date for applications is usually 31 January in each year. Applications are then
considered by the Committee in February/early March. [Please note: In 2015 the closing date is
Friday 6 March 2015 with decisions made by mid March 2015].
1
The Munro Committee of 8 March 2001 confirmed that applications could only be considered from staff
members of the University of Edinburgh.
1
Amended February 2015
The Committee will not consider applications for the unspecified “general purposes” of a project,
nor will it make an award with the sole intention of demonstrating Munro (or the University of
Edinburgh's) support for projects in respect of which major applications are pending elsewhere.
Applicants will not be interviewed but the convener of the committee may invite the applicant to
clarify his or her application
4.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
All applicants will be emailed within one week of the Munro Committee meeting to say whether
their applications have been successful or not. A brief explanation of the reasons for rejection of an
application may be provided, although more specific details will normally be available from the
Secretary on request.
5.
IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL
Successful applicants:
 Will be asked for their bank details so that payment can be made by BACS
 Will be asked to spend and account for any grant made by 31 January the following year in
which the grant is awarded, unless an exemption is applied for and received
 Will be required to write a brief report on the progress of the project by 31 January of the year
following the award of the grant (a report form will be sent with the email confirming the award
of the grant)
 Are expected to acknowledge the support of the Munro Committee in any publication resulting
from the project and in any form of publicity which their work or project receives
 May be invited by the Committee to lecture on the work they have been enabled to conduct.
The Committee will pay travel and subsistence costs incurred by the lecturer, but not a lecture
fee.
2
Amended February 2015