The QRA provides grants to its members with the aim of promoting high quality Quaternary research, training and dissemination of results, as widely as possible. We seek to break down barriers to science by offering funding for all career levels and support for caring and accessibility costs. We actively encourage fundamental research into Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Quaternary Science. Read more about the details of QRA funding and eligibility here and explore our range of grants below.
Undergraduate & postgraduate grants
Bill Bishop Award
Award maximum: £950 (up to one award per year)
Eligibility: Full or part-time MPhil/PhD students
Field-based research in the fields of: (i) Cenozoic stratigraphy, palaeo-environments and chronology in relation to hominid evolution; and (ii) British Quaternary stratigraphy, palaeoenvironments and geomorphology
Deadlines: 15th February
New Research Workers Grant
Award maximum: £1650 (multiple grants awarded per year)
Eligibility: Postgraduate taught & research students
Research activities, e.g. field expeditions, geological surveys, visits to laboratories, purchase of essential field equipment and laboratory analyses
Deadlines: 15th February, 15th September
QRA-Oxford Radiocarbon Dating Short Course Bursaries
Award maximum: Up to 3 bursaries offered per year
Eligibility: Open to all, excluding undergraduate students. Preference given to Year 1 PhD students without Research Council funding
Enable members to participate in two days of the radiocarbon dating short course run jointly by NERC, AHRC and the University of Oxford. Covers course fees.
Deadlines: 15th February
Grants for all other members
Quaternary Research Small Grant
Award maximum: £1650 (multiple grants awarded per year)
Eligibility: Full members only
Any research costs deemed suitable by the Awards Panel (e.g. fund field expenses, hire equipment, etc.); not 14C dating or labour costs.
Deadlines: 15th February, 15th September
QRA-Oxford Radiocarbon Dating Short Course Bursaries
Award maximum: Up to 3 bursaries offered per year
Eligibility: Open to all, excluding undergraduate. Preference given to Year 1 PhD students without Research Council funding
Enable members to participate in two days of the radiocarbon dating short course run jointly by NERC, AHRC & the University of Oxford. Covers course fees.
Deadlines: 15th February
QRA INQUA Congress Fund
Award maximum: £900 (multiple grants awarded in INQUA year)
Eligibility: Open to all
Attendance at the INQUA Congress, with priority to those with limited sources of funding, especially PG and ECR researchers; once every 4 years
Deadlines: Future dates for INQUA 2027 are TBC.