We use a system of peer review for all applications. Peer Review works within four subject areas and each application must sit within one of these areas, regardless of whether it will be viewed by a panel of assessors. These areas are:
Panel A
This panel covers research relating to history, philosophy, religious studies and law.
Panel B
This panel covers research relating to contemporary arts practice, theory in art, design and media, architecture, visual arts, creative writing, music, dance, drama and theatre studies.
Panel C
This panel covers research relating to art history, conservation of art and textiles, dictionaries and databases, cultural geography, archaeology, classics and library, information and museum studies.
Panel D
This panel covers research relating to journalism, media and communication studies, American studies, cultural studies and popular culture, gender and sexuality, lifewriting, literary and cultural theory, post-colonial studies, text editing and bibliography, English language and literature, linguistics and modern languages.
Subjects and disciplines are continually evolving, and there are inevitable overlaps and boundaries that we share with other award-making bodies especially with other Research Councils. For more information please see our statement on interfaces with other Research Councils and cultural policy research.
You can download the subject areas (pdf 210kb) included in our subject panels.
See if you're eligible
For all funding opportunities, you must ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria before submitting an application. You'll find full details in the AHRC Funding Guide (pdf 919kb), which also includes the assessment criteria, information on how to apply, application deadlines, eligible dates and terms and conditions.
Please note: we can only accept applications from those working within and supported by an HEI or IRO. If this doesn't apply to you, our links page has other sources of funding.
All applications for funding need to be made through the Joint Electronic Submission - (JE-S) System (open in a new window).