AIA Educational & Benevolent Trust (AIA EBT) research grants for BAFA members

Overview

 

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants or lead researchers must be AIA Academic Fellow Members.
• Applicants or lead researchers must be members of the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA).
• Grants are available for research, at postdoctoral or equivalent level, in the field of accountancy and related subjects. Equivalent experience may include holding, or having held, an established post, having a record of publications in the field and/or having teaching experience.
• Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (that is, classed as ‘ordinarily resident’ for tax purposes) or currently employed overseas by a recognised UK overseas research organisation.
• Whilst co-applicants must fulfil all the other eligibility criteria, they are able to be based anywhere in the world.

UK research organisations based overseas may apply to be recognised by demonstrating that they satisfy both the following conditions:

• Organisations which are, or which are constituent parts of, charities registered with the Charity Commission; and
• Which must be able to demonstrate an independent capability to undertake research in the field or discipline in which they wish to be funded, and to lead the research for which funding is received.

Awards will not be made retrospectively - the work for which support is requested must not have commenced before the award is announced.

Level of award

Each applicant may apply for a grant up to £2,500. There are four grants available for applicants in 2026.

Period of award

All applications should demonstrate that Trust funding is sought for a clearly defined, discrete piece of research, which will have an identifiable outcome on completion of the Trust-funded component of the research.

Applications will not be considered for less than £500.

The maximum grant is £2,500.

Applications for collaborative or individual projects are equally welcome under this scheme.

Applications from international groups of scholars are welcome, provided there is a UK-based scholar as lead applicant.

How can funding be used?

Funds are available to facilitate initial project planning and development, to support the direct costs of research, and to enable the advancement of research through workshops or conferences, or visits by or to partner scholars.

Applicants may seek support for any combination of eligible activity and cost up to the overall limit of £2,500.

The Trust will assess applications equally on their merits.

Application guidance

Please read through the guidance notes carefully before submitting an application.