AWARDS: Literary Encyclopedia research awards
The first round of The Literary Encyclopedia Research Award is open for 2025. The awards support research by PhD students, early career researchers,* and established academics on a literary or related matter. These awards are funded through the donation of royalties by contributors and editors to the Encyclopedia. Entry is open to scholars from across the world.
Applications are accepted from members of an institution which subscribes to The Literary Encyclopedia, contributors to our publication, or individual subscribers.
In line with The Literary Encyclopedia’s commitment to lowering its carbon emissions and fostering greater inclusivity among researchers, from 2025 onwards our awards will also be offered to help fund research assistance to consult archives remotely and/or additional research costs, such as those arising from caring responsibilities.
Awards of between £500 and £750 are available to fund a range of research activities within these categories:
- Travel costs for archival research
- Research assistance to consult archives remotely
- Open access publishing
- Training in new techniques/skills
- Additional research costs, such as caring responsibilities
- Support for access needs
Conference attendance will not be covered.
The deadline for the first round of awards is 1 April 2025.
Applications are considered by the Editorial Board of The Literary Encyclopedia whose decision is final. Money will be paid on presentation of receipts.
Successful applicants will be expected to write a formal report of their work to be published on our website. The contribution of the LEResearch Awardshould be acknowledged in any resulting publications
You may read about successful candidates and research proposals from previous years HERE.
Successful applicants to this round must complete their research/travel by December 31, 2025. Recipients will be expected to provide formal reports on their work by beginning of April 2026.
Applicants should please download and complete the application form attached HERE, and email it to The Managing Editor, Dr. Cristina Sandru, no later than 1 April 2025. We will announce the winners by mid-May.
(*An early career researcher is “an individual who is within eight years of the award of their PhD or within 6 years of their first academic appointment” (AHRC).)