Support of postgraduate research by the “German History Society” (Univ. of Warwick)

The “German History Society” (GHS) is the principal forum for scholars working on any aspect and period of the history of German-speaking Europe in the British Isles. Its activities include publishing a leading academic journal (German History), holding conferences and workshops involving leading researchers and generally promoting communication and collaboration among German historians. It often works in close conjunction with the German Historical Institute in London.

The GHS supports postgraduate members (defined as students enrolled on MA and PhD degrees as well as postdoctoral researchers without access to institutional sources of funding in the first two years after submission of their PhDs) based in the British Isles as follows:

1. Bursaries for Attendance at GHS events:
Postgraduate members of the GHS are invited to apply for financial support to attend the Society’s own regional conferences and Annual General Meeting. Applications should only be made where all alternative avenues of financial support have already been exhausted; the Society will consider contributing up to £50 towards travel and accommodation expenses.

2. Research Grants and Conference Attendance:
Postgraduate members of the GHS may apply for a sum of up to £500 to assist with travel and accommodation expenses on research trips to archives / libraries with relevant resources for historians of the German lands OR for up to £500 for travel, accommodation and registration expenses associated with conference attendance (priority may be given to those presenting papers). Again, other avenues of financial support must have been exhausted. Each application must include a detailed budget for the trip and a statement of the aims and objectives (no longer than 300 words). Depending on the number of bids and the society’s financial position, individual research projects may be supported more than once.

3. Organize your own workshop or conference:
Postgraduate members of the GHS are invited to apply for funding to organize their own 1-day workshop or mini-conference on a topic relating to their research. Proposals of max. 500 words should sketch the theme and format of the meeting and indicate up to four speakers / commentators from the UK / German-speaking countries to be invited. The maximum contribution available is £500.

4. German Language Courses:
Postgraduate members of the Society may seek assistance in improving their language skills. Applications of max. 300 words should provide details about the course (preferably offered by a qualified provider in Austria, Germany or Switzerland) and the ways in which attendance would benefit the candidate’s research. The Society can consider requests for support of up to £500.

Each application must be accompanied by a statement confirming membership of the GHS and by a brief reference from the postgraduate’s supervisor / academic director. All materials should be sent by email to the Society’s Postgraduate Officer, Beat Kümin: b.kuminwarwick.ac.uk.

Applications for these funds can be accepted from postgraduates based in the British Isles. Payments are in sterling and entirely at the discretion of the committee of the Society. No correspondence will be entered into where applications are refused.

For further details (as well as information on the annual essay prize competition) see the Society’s website: www.germanhistorysociety.org/