The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) grants awards to assist scholars undertaking original research in Eastern Africa in any field of the humanities and social sciences with some emphasis on archaeology, African history, anthropology, and related subjects.

The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) is based in Nairobi, Kenya, where it maintains a library and research facilities.

It undertakes and supports research in countries throughout the region, from Zimbabwe to the Sudan.

Because of its own sources of finance, preference is normally given to scholars in Commonwealth and eastern African countries.

Support offered is normally to help with actual field research expenses in the region; the Institute does not usually assist with transport to and from eastern Africa.

The Institute currently operates two grant schemes – Minor Research Grants and Haycock Memorial Fund Grants.

The normal maximum sum awarded is £1,000 sterling or its equivalent in local currency. In exceptional circumstances, where a compelling case is made, a grant of up to £1,500 may be made.

Enquiries about such grants or other assistance in research should be addressed to the Director at the Nairobi address.

Applications should explain the nature and details of the proposed research and a budget, together with C.V. and the names of two referees able to advise on the applicant and the subject of research.

The Institute also administers the Haycock Fund which, by the terms of a bequest from which it derives, is devoted principally to research on the ancient civilization of Meroe and related subjects in the region of the Middle Nile and north-eastern Africa (south of Egypt).

Applications for assistance from this fund by suitably experienced scholars are invited and considered from to time, usually at intervals of a few years.

Recipients of grants are asked to keep the Institute informed of all publications, lectures and publicity arising from such research and to submit copies for the Institute’s library.

Deadline: 30th April and 31st October.

For further details regarding eligibility and the scheme in general, see: British Institute in Eastern Africa Grants Website