AHRC Funding

1
AHRC Funding
2
AHRC Block Grant Partnership

• How will the BGP scheme work?
• BGP vs Open Competition
• Application selection final nomination
• What are my chances?
• How many awards?
• Numbers of awards on website by c. 27 February

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Eligibility

• UK and EU students only
• EU students fees only unless they meet criteria
  on previous period in UK (e.g. if took first
  degree in UK, or resident for three years)
• one or two year programmes at Masters level (MA,
  MusM)
• three year PhD (must have or be doing a Masters
  course, or have other equivalent experience)
• full time or part time
• falls within AHRC subject areas

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Subject coverage in SAHC

• Archaeology
• Classics
• Creative Writing
• English
• History
• History of Art
• Museum Studies
• Music
• Religious Studies
• Dance, Drama, Performance
• Film Studies

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Three Schemes

• Research Preparation Masters (RPM) - intended to
  prepare you for a PhD
• Professional Preparation Masters (PPM)
  preparation for definite career path (e.g. MA in
  Art Gallery and Museum Studies)
• Doctoral (PhD)
• Make sure you complete the right form!

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Application Process

• Contact programme director/potential supervisor
• Contact referees
• Apply for admission to the programme on
  University PG application form (including
  references)
• Download AHRC form and notes from website
• www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/ahrc/
  
• Submit application by 1st April

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MA Case for Support

• 1000 words max.
• How will the course prepare you for a PhD or
  research career (in the creative and performing
  arts, or professional career (for PPM scheme)?
• How does it build on existing knowledge/skills/exp
  erience?
• Course details (which options, and why?),
  including potential dissertation, and direction
  of future doctoral work

8
For MA applications, what are the AHRC panels
looking for?

• evidence of intellectual purpose
• reasons for, and approach to, your proposed study
• good awareness of the field
• good homework
• narrative of how this particular Masters builds
  on previous experience, and where it will lead
• foundation for research career

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PhD Proposal

• 1500 words max.
• the research problem or question you intend to
  address
• the research context in which this problem or
  question is located
• the particular contribution to knowledge and
  understanding you hope to make
• the methods and critical approaches you plan to
  use in investigating the problem or question
  which you have identified
• the sources you will use, where they are located,
  and how they will be accessed
• the way in which the project will develop over
  time
• the nature of any ethical issues raised by the
  research project 

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Defining originality

• Be specific
• Be precise
• Be assertive
• Be practical a 3-year thesis, a viable project
• Avoid jargon
• Well informed on scholarship

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Your record so far

• Specific skills
• Research skills
• Linguistic skills
• Work experience
• General distinctive features

• Qualitative appreciation awards, examiners
  comments
• Research activities conferences, student
  networks

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For PhD proposals, what are the panels looking
for?

• Ability to identify and articulate a coherent
  research project
• Awareness of the field, and how the project will
  make an original contribution
• Methodology/critical approach that will lead to
  the right kind of answers
• Sensible choice of sources
• Feasibility of the project (time resources)
• Fit with Manchester

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Summary of the selection criteria

• The Four Ps
• Person (track record of grades/experience
  evidence from references)
• Preparation (relevance of prior experience
  coherent story of how you have got here, where
  you are going)
• Proposal/Project
• Place (good fit between the student and the
  institution in terms of resources and research
  strengths)

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Helping your referees

• References need to be constructive, realistic,
  and factual
• Hyperbole doesnt work
• Talk to your referees
• Supply them with information (transcripts,
  feedback sheets, background information)

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Selection Process

• Subject Area panels external and internal awards
• University of Manchester AHRC BGP Panel
• Successful candidates notified 8-28th May
• Reserve list
• Internal awards
• Official nomination via Je-S system 28th May
  31st July
• Confirmation of award by AHRC in August

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What if I dont get an AHRC award?

• Manchester awards (check the School website for
  details)
• Self-funding is possible (NB for MA 500 Rylands
  Achievement Awards for Manchester graduates with
  a First)
• Part-time study
• Try again later