The Fontes Historiae Africanae series of the British Academy is pleased to launch a small grants scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to support the development and completion of volumes that will be published in the FHA series. There will be two grants available per year, each to a maximum of £1500: we expect to make one grant per year to the editors of a volume that is already under contract, and one per year to colleagues in African institutions seeking to develop a project of this type.

Background to the FHA series

The FHA aims to publish primary sources that are significant for the study of African history. Details about the series, a list of published volumes, and the types of work that we would like to publish in the future are all available on our website.

Please note that we aim to publish primary sources in as complete a form as possible (selections of primary sources will only be considered when there is a strong rationale for the selection). We place emphasis on high quality translations and annotations, as well as well-researched introductions that introduce readers to the primary source, locate it within its historical context, and explain its significance.

Costs that can be supported under the small grants scheme

• Expenses incurred in undertaking primary and secondary research that will enable editors to write a high-quality introduction and/or make high-quality annotations to their primary source
• Payment for specialist input with specific aspects of translation (we expect volume editors to be able to undertake the majority of the translation themselves)
• Image rights, indexing and copyediting fees
• Promoting a volume once it is published (for example, by attending a conference to present a paper about the volume and the series)

How to apply

Applications can be submitted at any time of the year for a deadline of January 15^th. The results will be announced to applicants after this date.

Applications should be sent by email to the FHA chair, Toby Green, at toby.green@kcl.ac.uk, and should consist of no more than 1000 words maximum.

Please ensure that you provide the following information:

1. Your name and the name of any co-editors or collaborators
2. The title of the volume
3. For books yet to be approved by the FHA committee, a short description of the prospective volume.
4. For books yet to be approved by the FHA committee, an indication of how far advanced you are in your work on the volume (early-stage research, partial draft, full draft)
5. A case for support, which sets out what you intend to use the small grant for and whether it is realistic to secure financial support from any other sources.