RIA Standing Committee for Archaeology

Archaeology Radiocarbon Dates Scheme 2026

Submission Deadline: 17:00 (GMT),  Wednesday 25 March 2026

d) Please attach the following document, as relevant to your application:

• An extract of the Ordnance Survey map with the site or sites marked (if sample is coming from an excavation).

f) Please give the name and address of a referee who has agreed to vouch for your experience and expertise in this area.

a) Please list proposed samples for dating (note: maximum 5 and not all samples may be funded). For each sample proposed you must provide details of (200 words max):

• Find or sample registration number

• Type of material, e.g. bone, charcoal etc.

• Specific material identification, e.g. human femur, birch, hazelnut shell etc.

• Weight of sample

• Contextual details and stratigraphic location of each sample, supported by a detailed plan and section showing where the sample is from

• A photo of the artefact/sample if possible.

f) Please upload the following documentation, as relevant:

• Correspondence from the NMI and/or the NMNI stating that the applicant has discussed the application and that there is permission in principle for the proposed work based on the project rationale. Considering theshort timescale of this scheme, it is advisable, if a proposal will require licenses to alter and/or export, that those discussions should include the methodology detail. For the NMI, please use the template provided here.
• If the applicant is not the excavation licence holder, correspondence from them stating there is permission in principle for the dating of the sample.
• Confirmation that the proposed sample has been identified and deemed suitable for dating based on the recommendation of the relevant specialist (eg. osteoarchaeologist, zooarchaeologist,environmental specialist). Attach relevant reports/correspondence.

Please upload any other documents and images that help illustrate this answer

A strategic goal of the RIA is to ‘represent Ireland by engaging and leading in activities that strengthen international recognition of the Academy’s scholarship’. The Grants subcommittee will wish to see an ambitious plan for dissemination, appropriate to the scale of the research project. As this scheme is publicly funded, please ensure that your plans include making the results of proposed research publicly available. We encourage open access publication.

The Royal Irish Academy is committed to supporting excellence in science, humanities and social sciences and empowering the next generation of researchers and scholars. It strives for a culture of equality and inclusion in all of its activities. To ensure we continue to uphold these values in a meaningful way, and to identify areas for improvement, we believe it is essential to gather reliable data on our applicants.

We therefore kindly ask you to complete the following form, which addresses the nine protected characteristics under Irish equality legislation (Equal Status Acts 2000–2018). While we are also committed to the principles of Northern Ireland’s equality laws, this questionnaire does not include questions on political opinion, which is also a protected characteristic in Northern Ireland.

The terminology used in this form aligns, where possible, with the standards of the 2021 Census in the Republic of Ireland. All data provided will be securely stored in anonymised, statistical formats, with access restricted to authorised personnel. Your input in this monitoring is voluntary, anonymised, and used solely for statistical - not evaluative - purposes. For more information about our data protection practices, please contact us at dataprotection@ria.ie.

Your input is greatly appreciated and will help the Royal Irish Academy to assess and monitor diversity, ensuring we continue to foster an inclusive community of researchers.

Please read the RIA Grants Data Protection Policy.