Applications Invited for EMKP Programme Small and Large grants

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About the Organization

Material knowledge—the understanding of the resources, skills, technologies and social values necessary to create and maintain the material world around us—is endangered. In this precarious world, the diversity of material knowledge is being lost at an unprecedented rate as mass-produced goods and industrial technologies subsume or replace local practices. Changes to the environment and habitat loss—through industrialisation, deforestation, green grabbing, and other factors—jeopardize local ecologies and raw material sustainability. Meanwhile, shifting socio-political dynamics, such as large scale urbanisation and rural depopulation, imperil long-practiced forms of learning, apprenticeship, and knowledge transfer.

The Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) supports knowledge holders, practitioners, and scholars with grants to conduct new research on critically threatened material knowledge globally, especially in understudied areas and where local funding opportunities are limited. EMKP also helps to connect source communities with museum objects stewarded around the world, and provides access to their material knowledge in a digital repository dedicated to its preservation.

EMKP offers small and large grants annually (please see details of grants here), which are managed by the EMKP Team at the British Museum, and awarded based on the recommendations of the EMKP Expert Panel.

About the Grant

The programme offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re-purposing of material objects, spaces, architecture, performances and environments. In order to qualify for these grants, these knowledge systems must still be actively pursued, or at least practiced within living memory of the knowledge holders. EMKP does not support work to revitalise a lost or forgotten tradition.

Small Grants can last up to one year with a maximum award of £20,000. Small Grants are intended for projects that are focused on a specific/individual material practice and which are limited in scope. They are also suitable for initial pilot work to establish the nature and extent of material knowledge systems where these might not be previously known, or for early career applicants who are building new projects.

Large Grants can last up to two years with a maximum award of £100,000. Large Grants are suitable for mature projects where intensive and more diverse documentation is proposed, a larger team is needed, multiple strands of work are happening simultaneously and/or more time is needed to complete the documentation (e.g. because of seasonal cycles of working)

Documentation methods can include, but are not limited to, film, audio recordings, photographs, written notes, maps, 3D images, and drawings. Successful applicants must agree to submit digital copies of these records to the British Museum’s EMKP digital repository, which is open access.

Applicants from across the world can apply for grants irrespective of nationality, although they must be affiliated to an institution that can provide independent oversight and reports to EMKP. There is no restriction on where the proposed work can be carried out; however, strong preference is given to projects in regions and countries where there is limited financial support available for research.

Eligibility

The grants cover all relevant fieldwork and documentation costs including equipment, travel, subsistence and allowances for research assistants and community members involved in the project.  We do not fund replacement teaching/salary costs for the Principal Investigator or Collaborators*, or institutional overhead/administrative costs.

*In exceptional circumstances we may consider a modest salary for the Collaborator(s). Please see the guidelines for more details, or contact EMKP to discuss this.

How to Apply

The call for applications 2021/2022 is now open. Please submit your application through our Application Portal.

If you are considering an application for the 2021/2022 round of grants, please carefully consider the viability and ethics of conducting this work within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic before you apply. EMKP places the highest priority on the health and welfare of grantees, community members and knowledge holders, and will not support any projects that jeopardise this, or fails to plan appropriately. In your application will be asked to demonstrate what protective measures you will take in your proposed work.

For detailed information on how to fill in the application and the process please read our Application Guidelines.

For more information please check the Link

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