Founded in 2012, the Castle Studies Trust provides a small number of grants annually up to £10,000 (with no matched funding requirement) for the study and research of castles to enhance both scholarly and public education.
This includes supporting historical and archaeological research, the promotion and dissemination of such research, and the production of other pieces of work such as reconstruction drawings that would help enhance the public understanding of castles and castle sites.
All projects should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and anchored within a time frame (for example, projects should start within 10 weeks of confirmation of a grant award). Priority is given to funding new pieces of research and increasing public understanding of lesser-known sites not managed by major heritage bodies.
Grants can be used for:
o Costs associated with carrying out a project such as travelling to and from the site, equipment, labour, services provided by third parties etc.
o Reconstruction drawings and other pieces of work such as reconstruction drawings that would promote public understanding of a castle site.
o Reviews of historical sources (as part of a Castle Studies Trust funded project).
o Scientific testing on objects/materials from a castle site, such as radiocarbon dating, and/or
o Site based survey work (geographical, architectural, topographical etc).
During the year ended 5 April 2022 grants were awarded to 5 applicants:
o Chalkida in Greece.
o Kilmacahill in the County of Westmeath, Ireland.
o Pontefract Castle in West Yorkshire.
o Raby Castle, in County Durham, and
o Shrewsbury Castle on the England/Wales border in Shropshire.
All projects have published their reports and the results can be found on the Castle Studies Trust website.
Further information, guidance and a downloadable application form, which should be submitted by email, is available on the Castle Studies Trust website.
The deadline for applications is Thursday 1st December 2022.
