Cave Science and Technology Research Fund
The Cave Science and Technology Research Fund. BCRA has managed a research fund for many
years and, in 2005, after the fund had been boosted by several bequests, a new Cave Science and
Technology Research Fund was created. Since that date, BCRA has allocated £5000/year to the
fund; and this is set to continue to at least 2024.
A List of Research Fund Grants is available.
Click/Tap a link or scroll on down.
Objectives
The objective of the fund is to raise interest in caves and to further our understanding
of them and the technologies employed to enter and explore them. The BCRA Cave Science policy
focuses on four major themes: speleogenesis (including hydrogeology),
archaeology/palaeontology, biology and technology. However worthwhile projects in other areas
of research will also be considered. At the core of our intentions is a desire to make the caving
community and the scientific community more aware of the scientific importance of caves - and the
synergy between exploration and science. It is a requirement of awards that the findings of the
research be published in a BCRA journal and recipients are encouraged to present their results at
a BCRA Cave Science Symposium and/or the national caving conference,
Hidden Earth. The objectives of the fund are ...
- To encourage research activity by cavers including those who may have no (or limited)
support from research establishments - you don't have to be an expert, but it helps if you discuss
your ideas with one. We might be able to help in providing you with a contact.
- To stimulate new research which could contribute significantly to any aspect of caving
- i.e. beyond the traditional archaeological, earth and life sciences and into the
technologies.
- To support research that is unusual, particularly innovative, or likely to be of
great interest or benefit to cavers.
- To assist in the purchase of consumable items or scientific equipment without which
it would be impossible to carry out or complete a research project. Applicants should note that
the fund is not intended to be used for the purchase of items of personal or group caving
equipment.
- To provide a contribution to funds for travel in association with fieldwork, or to
visit laboratories that can provide essential facilities.
- To provide financial support for the preparation of scientific reports and
presentations.
How To Apply
Proposals for Research Fund grants are considered by our Awards Panel comprising
a Chairman and five members who have expertise in each of the major themes. Applications will
usually be reviewed in April, August and December. Applicants should download the Microsoft Word
version of the form (see link below), type your answers in the Word document and return it by
email to the Research Fund Administrator (see our contact page). You
will receive an acknowledgement by email within a few days. (A PDF version of the form is
available 'for information' but, wherever possible, please use the Word version).
Applicants should bear in mind that the awards panel is unlikely to meet more frequently
than four-monthly intervals but, if your application is for less than £200, we may be able
to 'fast-track' it. Please contact the Fund Administrator for further information.
Latest Amendments to Rules
At Council meeting 174 in February 2019, two amendments to the rules were agreed.
- Rule 2 is changed to read "The principal investigator(s) must have been an individual
member of BCRA for at least six months at the time of the application, and must remain so during
the period of the award.
- A new condition was stated, that the Fund will withhold 20% of the total amount of the
grant until a report is received, preferably one that is suitable for publication in Cave &
Karst Science. This requirement can be waived at the discretion of the awards panel.
Cave Science Policy
Following the launch by BCRA of its Cave Science and Technology Research Initiative
(CSTRI) in 2005, a policy document was drawn up, stating the new research objectives and outlining
how the initiative will be implemented. Four research themes are to be encouraged - speleogenesis,
archaeology and palaeontology, biology, and technology. Further information is given in BCRA's
Policy document, which may be downloaded here: BCRA cave science
policy (85K, PDF) (date: July 2006).
