Research Support Fund
Overview
To celebrate its centenary in 1983 the Society established a Research Support Fund (originally called ‘The Centenary Fund’) to give financial support to a variety of mathematical activities, including research visits, conferences and publications. Through this Research Support Fund, the Society supports a variety of mathematical activities of benefit to the broad mathematical community, particularly in Scotland. The main criteria used to assess applications are their academic merit and benefit to the mathematical community (either individuals, groups or the mathematical community in general). It may be used to top up support from other sources. Any application from a non-member must be counter signed by a member of the Society.
The Rules of the Research Support Fund can be found by clicking here. To apply, please read the application procedure.
Typical activities funded by the Research Support Fund
The following give some typical activities which the society might support through the Research Support Fund. It is not intended to be a complete list; other worthwhile projects not falling into the various categories given below might be funded.
Network Grants
Network grants will be awarded to fund new mathematical networks or in continuation of existing active networks. The awards will cover a two year period. These awards may be renewed for an additional two years. Each network should have at least three nodes, with a requirement that at least two are based at Scottish institutions. There should normally be three meetings of the network per year, at three different nodes. For every year of funding, each network will be expected to organise an EMS Ordinary meeting at one of its Scottish nodes, concurrent with their network meeting. These meetings are expected to rotate through their Scottish nodes.
Award amount: up to £5000 for two years
Meetings
Meeting grants will be awarded for scientific workshops and conferences taking place in Scotland, with priority given to Early Career Researcher (ECR) events. When the RSF contribution supplements other funding sources, the EMS expects its funding to benefit the Scottish ECR community, underrepresented communities, or any other criteria the Committee determines. The RSF also expects the wider Scottish mathematical community to have access to the contributions it funds.
Award amount: up to £3000
EMS Distinguished Speaker
Mathematical Society Distinguished Speaker grants will be awarded to sponsor a speaker, with demonstrable links to Scotland, at large international conferences. As a condition of the funding, any informational material (e.g., website, schedule, etc.) must refer to the funded speakers as the Edinburgh Mathematical Society Distinguished Speaker and refer to their lecture or talk as the Edinburgh Mathematical Society Lecture or Edinburgh Mathematical Society Talk, respectively. Outwith the travel and accommodation costs for the EMS Distinguished Speaker, funds may be requested, up to the maximum award, to fund ECR participants.
Award amount: up to £3000
Launchpad Grants
Startup grants will be awarded to support ECRs, new appointments, and researchers returning after a break to organise a workshop or conference, plan a research visit, and/or host visitors. Applications can involve more than one of these activities, but they must occur within a 12 month period.
Award amount: up to £2000
Special Funding Schemes
The Fund may be used to provide guarantees for projects which are intended to be self-financing, in order to provide a degree of certainty at the early planning stage.
Award amount: up to £3000
Making an application
Please see the instructions on the application procedure page.