[URBANTH-L]Funding: Foundation for Urban and Regional Studies

Angela Jancius jancius at ohio.edu
Tue Jan 16 23:22:20 EST 2007


Foundation for Urban and Regional Studies

1. FURS Research Grants  within the field of urban and regional studies
2. FURS Studentships within the field of urban and regional studies
****************************************************
Deadline: January 31, 2006

1. FURS Research Grants  within the field of urban and regional studies

FURS is concerned to promote urban and regional research and within this
broad field it is particularly keen to encourage an understanding of the
interconnection between social, economic and political processes and of the
broader causes and effects of these processes. This means for example that
research which examines policies critically and focuses on their unintended
as well as intended consequences is more likely to be supported than
research on managerially defined questions. Conversely research which takes
a 'technical' approach to urban and regional questions and does not place
them within wider contexts of understanding is unlikely to be given
priority. Although these concerns are likely to lead to social scientists
such as sociologists, political scientists, geographers, economists and town
planners predominating among applicants, others such as lawyers, cultural
theorists, anthropologists and historians should not be discouraged from
applying.

Applications are invited for a number of research grants. These may be held
in any university. The Trustees are anxious to encourage newly graduated
researchers or junior colleagues of established researchers who have
difficulty in getting funds to support research.

Applications must be received by 31 January. Late applications will not be
considered under any circumstances. Each application will be
acknowledged and successful applicants will be informed by mid April.
Funding is only offered to those students who are within the field of urban
and regional studies.

The research grants can be used to help pay for research, which is:

  1.. carried out as part of a higher degree, or
  2.. not part of a higher degree.
Eligibility: From 2005, priority will be given to applicants from countries
in Groups B and C of the World Bank classification. For details see
http://www.ucm.es/info/isa/table_c.htm

The normal value of FURS research grants is up to £2,000. But in addition to
research grants of £2,000 value, a limited number of higher value research
grants (maximum £5,000) may be awarded where this is justified by the nature
of the work to be carried out and the strength of the application. The
research grants can be used to help pay for research, which is:

carried out as part of a higher degree, or
not part of a higher degree.

You will be expected to supply:
*A brief account of your training and qualifications on the application form
provided.
*An outline of your proposed research. This should explain the significance
of the topic, and refer to the research questions to be investigated,
relevant theoretical debates or hypotheses, and the methods of research to
be used (including any problems of data access).
*A precise account of how the grant is to be spent and over what period.
Please indicate whether alternative sources of funds are available.
*A statement from a senior scholar who is familiar with your work and who
can confirm that you are able to carry out the work proposed. The Trustees
would expect an academic tutor, Head of department or research team, or
the equivalent to write such a letter.
*The name of a person who can be contacted to report on the progress of your
research.

Application:
http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/furs/funding/grants/docs/res-app.doc
*****************************

2.  FURS Studentships within the field of urban and regional studies

Applications are invited for a number of studentships within the field of
urban and regional studies. Applications must be received by 31 January.
Late applications will not be considered. Each application will be
acknowledged and successful applicants will be informed by 1 May.
Funding is only offered to those students who are within the field of
urban and regional studies.

Eligibility: From 2005, only applicants from countries in Groups B and C
of the World Bank classification will be eligible to apply. For details
see http://www.ucm.es/info/isa/table_c.htm

FURS is concerned to promote urban and regional research and within this
broad field it is particularly keen to encourage an understanding of the
interconnection between social, economic and political processes and of the
broader causes and effects of these processes. This means for example that
research which examines policies critically and focuses on their unintended
as well as intended consequences is more likely to be supported than
research on managerially defined questions. Conversely research which
takes a 'technical' approach to urban and regional questions and does not
place them within wider contexts of understanding is unlikely to be given
priority. Although these concerns are likely to lead to social scientists
such as sociologists, political scientists, geographers, economists and 
town planners predominating among applicants, others such as lawyers,
cultural theorists, anthropologists and historians should not be
discouraged from applying.

Studentships are intended to permit students, generally from low and middle
income countries, to pursue postgraduate research degrees. In recent years
studentships have been awarded to students from countries including
Argentina, Cameroons, Chile, Nepal, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay and
Zambia.

The value of the studentships will normally be up to £9,300 per annum and
they will be for one or two years' duration (subject to satisfactory
progress).
The Trustees have the discretion to increase this in the light of special
circumstances or hardship. No support can be given towards travel
expenses. A third year extension may be granted subject to a further
application. The studentship can be spent on living expenses or fees but
is not intended to cover the full costs of being a student, and applicants
will need to apply to other sources of funding.

Students who wish to apply for a one year grant only (eg because they have
already completed part of their degree) are encouraged to do so.

FURS studentships may be held in any department where the Trustees are
satisfied with supervisory arrangements for research on urban and regional
subjects. In general, these will be departments with a tradition of
supervision in these areas, but if you wish to study in a department where
this is not the case, you will need to supply evidence regarding the
appropriateness of the department.

All studentships are conditional on acceptance by the university department.
If an offer of a place has been received by the time of application this
should be included. Successful candidates will be asked to provide a copy 
of a letter of acceptance from their chosen institution before the award of a
studentship can be confirmed and any monies dispensed.

The Trustees regret that no correspondence can be entered into in relation
to their decision, which must be taken as final. However, unsuccessful
candidates may apply one more time in a future year.

The Foundation for Urban and Regional Studies is a Charitable Trust directly
linked to the Company which produces the International Journal for Urban and
Regional Research. The Trust is managed by a group of Trustees who are, in
turn, responsible to the British Charities Commission for the appropriate
use and allocation of its funds.

Application:
http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/furs/funding/studentships/docs/applic.doc


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