Sempre Funding Opportunities

Sempre’s charitable aims are to embrace research in music education and music psychology, encourage the exchange of ideas and disseminate research findings, fostering new research and assisting the work of new researchers. We offer different named schemes, linked below.

Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals and collaborations involving under-represented groups, and currently for projects that require support to adapt to the revised research conditions under Covid-19, including working with financially-challenged communities such as professional musicians and conducting research online.

General Funding Guidelines

• Funding must be clearly linked to explicit research outcomes or aims, although it is not expected that projects or activities will necessarily result in publications or grant applications.
• All funding applications must include a detailed budget with justification where appropriate, using the relevant form. Applicants are expected to seek the most cost-effective methods for their research activities (e.g., advance purchase for travel). The indicative amounts given below are flexible; smaller projects are of course welcomed, and we reserve the option to offer part-funding.
• Regretfully no funding is available for student fees, nor institutional on-costs.
• If equipment is to be purchased as part of an award a clear statement of ownership at the end of the project must be included.
• In Covid-19 times, a contingency plan must be provided if the project involves face-to-face interaction or other activities which may not be possible under changing conditions.

Current Sempre Funding Opportunities

• The Sempre 50^th Anniversary Research and Development Awards are intended to promote research and development in areas where a defined need resulting from disadvantage can be addressed in or through music. Applications are due by 30 November 2020.
  [More Information] [Application Form]
• The Reg and Molly Buck Award is intended to support a post-doctoral research project of someone who has been awarded their doctorate up to five years previously. A limited number of awards will be offered up to £2,500 per award.
  [More Information] [Application Form]
• The Arnold Bentley Fund exists to support new, interdisciplinary initiatives concerned with the advancement or promotion of research in the psychology of music or music education. Examples may include support towards a project, conference, seminar, workshop, exhibition or publication that is particularly innovative or pioneering. Awards will be up to £3,000.
  [More Information] [Application Form]
• The Gerry Farrell Scholarships are intended to support travel in pursuit of identified research objectives in the UK or abroad through the payment of, or a contribution towards, the costs of travel and subsistence. Awards will be up to £1,000.
  [More Information] [Application Form]

Other Sempre Awards

• The Aubrey Hickman Award is intended to promote original research from new workers in the field. £500 biennially.
  [Details]
• The Sempre Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to enable the recipient to undertake or complete research of their choice, which may lead to its presentation at a Sempre conference or submission for publication in 'Psychology of Music' or both. Up to £1,000 per award.
  [Details]
• The Sempre Conference Awards are intended to enable full-time students or part-timers who are non wage earners to attend one of the Society's conferences, particularly the biennial two-day conference, through meeting the fee and the costs of travel and subsistence. Awards totaling up to £20,000 biennially.
  [Details]