The Arnold Bentley New Initiatives Fund
One award per annum totalling up to £3,000

Arnold Bentley (1913 - 2001)

Arnold first came to prominence in 1966 with the publication of his celebrated 'Musical Ability in Children and its Measurement', a book that for many years was to be the most cited in the field. Under his leadership, regular research conferences were held at Reading twice yearly from 1966 onwards, and it was from these that 'SRPMME' (now 'Sempre') evolved. Under his chairmanship, and later as its president, Arnold oversaw the development of the Society's prestigious journal 'Psychology of Music' and was instrumental in the Society becoming internationally acclaimed.

Purpose of the Award

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.

Eligibility

The Arnold Bentley New Initiatives Fund is open to any individual or organisation engaged in the fields of endeavour embraced by the Society.

Criteria

The criteria by which applications will be judged include the quality, originality and significance of the proposed initiative, which must be interdisciplinary, and the likelihood of the applicant being unable to obtain funding from other sources.

Applying

Applicants should complete the application form available here. The completed form should be sent to the Secretary, Professor Adam Ockelford, Roehampton University, Queens Building, Southlands College, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5SL, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 7818-456 472. Email: a.ockelfordroehampton.ac.uk

The decision-making process

All applications will be considered by the Sempre Awards Panel. Applicants will be informed normally within six weeks of the outcome. Awards should be taken up normally within the 12 month period following the decision. Any scholarships not claimed within this period will be deemed to have lapsed. The decision of the panel is final, and the Society regrets that it is unable to enter into any correspondence regarding its decision. Each application is treated individually on its merits; hence previous applicants are not precluded from applying.

Further information

For further information, please contact the Chair, Professor Graham Welch, UCL Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL, United Kingdom. Tel: +44(0)20-7612 6550. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reports from Bentley Award Holders

• Rachel Cooper, Lisa Aufegger and Aaron Williamon (2014): The development of a smart phone application to allow self-­‐regulated practice evaluation for musicians: A case study

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