Getting the most from learned societies' funding opportunities - The Regional Studies Association

Regional Studies Association Learned societies promote and develop their field of inquiry and could be of assistance both as a provider of small grants and awards, but also as a network through which to obtain other funding. Three key ways learned societies can help in the search for funding: 1. Through ‘springboard’ or micro grant funding to help you get larger, longer term grants. 2. Through their network. 3. Through travel and conference funding.

Regional Studies Association ‘Springboard’/micro grants & network funding Offered by many learned societies – the big players sometimes offer reasonably significant grants. Offered by many learned societies – the big players sometimes offer reasonably significant grants. Objectives normally either: Objectives normally either: 1.To develop the researcher or project so they become attractive to the bigger funding bodies. Royal Geographical Society/IBG, provide these types of awards. Royal Geographical Society/IBG, provide these types of awards. 2.To fund collaborative research networks/study groups to discuss and develop research questions and foster academic networks: Regional Studies Association offers up to £3,000 for members to organise events to discuss topics of common interest. Regional Studies Association offers up to £3,000 for members to organise events to discuss topics of common interest. Good starting point are directories of learned societies: Good starting point are directories of learned societies: –Academy of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences ( –British Academy (

Regional Studies Association Opportunities through their networks: A significant number of funding opportunities arise out of the networks that learned societies offer through: A significant number of funding opportunities arise out of the networks that learned societies offer through: –Finding collaborative research partners –Identifying new ways to make opportunities ‘fit’ research –Gaining advice and insight from more experienced colleagues –Finding publishing partners and therefore greater hit rates –Finding ‘mentors’ –Enhancing applications by discovering who, what and where has been funded –And so on…

Regional Studies Association Funding to attend conferences Many learned societies offer some type of conference bursaries or travel grants precisely because the networks are so vital. For example RSA offers: Many learned societies offer some type of conference bursaries or travel grants precisely because the networks are so vital. For example RSA offers: –Free conference places through their conference bursaries –Two ‘Bill Ogden memorial prizes’ providing a free conference place and travel support to the winter conference. –Travel Award offering up to £200 towards travel costs to a NON RSA event.

Regional Studies Association That’s 3 ways learned societies could help, but they also offer a lot more…. is a learned society concerned with analysis of regions The RSA is a learned society concerned with analysis of regions and regional issues. It aims to serve the regional studies community – students, academic, practitioners and policy makers. Through its international membership it provides an authoritative voice of, and network for academics, students, practitioners, policy makers and interested lay people in the field of regional studies.

2009 Membership benefits  Funding opportunities - The possibility to apply for up to £3,000 of renewable research network funding - Eligibility to apply for conference bursaries - The possibility to apply for Travel Awards (£200 to cover transports costs to attend non RSA events within regional studies)  Networking - International Territorial Networks (UK Sub-National Branches, Country Sections and Country Representatives) - Directory of Regional Researchers via the new membership portal (expert register) - E-bulletin Network (including job vacancies posting) - International Conferences with territorial pricing - Free annual President's Luncheon (2009: House of Lords) Regional Studies Association

2009 Membership benefits  Discounts - To all Regional Studies Association Conferences (new Territorial fees for annual international conferences) - 30% discount on the Association’s Book Series: Regions and Cities - 30% on all subject related Taylor & Francis books and e-books including Routledge Regional Studies Association

2009 Membership benefits  Opportunities - Present your work at RSA conferences and events - Get feedback on your work and meet experts in the field - Pro-active membership (become a Country Representative, open and run a UK Sub National Branch or an International Section, become part of the RSA Board etc…) Awards Awards - Taught Master, Best Undergraduate, Early Career, Best International Conference paper, Best Book, Best Contribution to the field Regional Studies Association

2009 Membership benefits  Publications - 10 issues of Regional Studies - 4 issues of Spatial Economic Analysis (SEA) - 4 issues of Regions, the Association’s quarterly magazine - A fully searchable recent issues CD (Regional Studies and SEA) - A fully searchable Regional Studies archive - Free online subscription to the following 8 Routledge e-Journals: City Policy Studies Space and Polity 21 st Century Society International Planning Studies Planning Practice and Research Regional and Federal Studies Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Regional Studies Association

Territorial Membership Newly introduced in 2008; Newly introduced in 2008; Allows wider access to all; Allows wider access to all; 4 bands reflecting the ability to pay according to GDP (lowest band pays a ¼ of the full rate); 4 bands reflecting the ability to pay according to GDP (lowest band pays a ¼ of the full rate); 5 categories of membership (Individual, Student, Early Career, Associate and Corporate); 5 categories of membership (Individual, Student, Early Career, Associate and Corporate); A further 20% off when joining during an RSA conference/event. A further 20% off when joining during an RSA conference/event. Regional Studies Association

Band A Band B Band C Band D RSA members individual and corporate 22%41%61%80% RSA members student, early career and associate 41%44%61%80% Non RSA members 12% 12%12%12%12% Territorial Membership fees: Savings When you book our Annual Conferences early, you save on average:

Regional Studies Association If you would like to discuss any opportunities for you within the Regional Studies Association or/and wish to join us, please contact the RSA at : or please call +44 (0)