Grants and Awards

G. T. Clark Prize
The Association administers the G. T. Clark Trust Fund, set up to commemorate a distinguished ninteenth-century archaeologist. The G. T. Clark Prizes are awarded for the most distinguished published contributions to the study of the history and antiquities of Wales and the Marches during the previous quinquennium. The last awards were made in 2002.

Research Fund
The Research Fund exists for the encouragement of research within the field of the Association’s interest. Its scope includes travel, fieldwork, excavation and associated scientific services, historical research, and other appropriate forms of assistance such as photography, photocopying, typing, and preparation of drawings for publication. Awards are normally in the region of £500 and are restricted to projects connected directly or indirectly with Wales and the Marches. Completed forms and copies (preferably up to six) should be returned by the end of October of any year for allocation in the following January. Late applications may be submitted before the beginning of January, but such late applications will only be considered if funds have not been fully allocated.

Application form in Word format. (Opens in a new window).

Application form in Adobe Acrobat format. (Opens in a new window).

Please return the completed form to the Secretary.

Educational Fund
The Association established this fund to make grants to students and other young people under the age of 25 who are engaged in archaeological studies or activities, particularly relating to Wales and the Marches. Grants are normally in the region of £25–50 and are meant to assist in covering the cost of books or equipment and the payment of fees, subscriptions or any other expenses considered appropriate. Grants towards the cost of excavation are not included as these are covered by the Association’s Research Fund. Applications giving full details should be addressed to the current General Secretary (name and address given above).

RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED IN 2009
Richard Madgwick, currently studying for a PhD at Cardiff University received a grant of £500 to help cover the costs of isotopic analysis of animal bone from a late Prehistoric Midden at Llanmaes. This important and unique site, on which we will have a lecture during our Autumn meeting in 2010, has produced an exceptional amount of metal work and more than 6000 pig bones. The isotopic analysis can reveal foddering regimes and other scientific analysis can indicate where the animals came from.

Llangynidr Local History Society received a grant of £1000 for survey in the Dyffryn Crawnon, Brecs which has many traces of earlier farming and settlement patterns which can be recognised on estate maps of 1587.

Jonathan Hudson received £250 towards field and documentary study on the history of Pembrokeshire Forests between the 13th and the 18th centuries, the results of which will form part of a multi-disciplinary Survey of Forests and Chases being co-ordinated by Oxford University for publication on the internet.

Dr Chris Caple, of Durham University, was awarded a grant of £1000 towards excavation costs at Nevern Castle, near Newport, Pembs. High above the Nyfer valley, the castle is probably on an early medieval ‘high status’ site. Most famously, it was here that the warring sons of the Lord Rhys of Deheubarth (who may have added masonry walls & a tower to the earthwork castle) imprisoned their father.

Tudur Davies, a PhD student at Sheffield University who won the Blodwen Jerman award in 2008, received a grant of £500 towards obtaining radio-carbon dates from excavations of a circular enclosure at Ty-tan-dderwen, Bala, a possible early medieval site.

Margaret Dunn, Beddgelert History Society, received £500 towards a dendrochronology project to help date houses in the area. The Association has made grants previously to this project which is being supported, inter alia by RCAHMW. Margaret gave a talk on her work at the 2008 Summer Meeting which clearly showed how dendrochronolgy can help date the numerous pre-1700 buildings in North West Wales.