The Scientific Instrument Society (SIS) awards small grants, of up to £500 each, for research on the history of scientific instruments. Applicants do not need to have any institutional affiliation and applications that are for less than the full amount are just as welcome – a properly costed proposal with a clear relevance to the Society’s interests in historic scientific instruments, a realistic timetable and a tangible result are the most important factors that the committee will be considering.

Please note that the grant awarded will be paid against actual expenditure and funds cannot be paid in advance.  The grant is intended to cover items such as travel, accommodation (excluding meals) and photocopying costs.  Please note that we cannot fund conference travel or contribute to the cost of outreach projects such as events and exhibitions.

Further information on what the Society can support and the terms and conditions of the award can be found here.

Examples of previously successful applicants may be found here.

The short application form may be found here.

If you have any queries about the grants, please contact grants@sis.org.uk and a member of the Society will respond in due course.