The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has responsibility for funding research in arts and humanities disciplines in the UK HE sector. The different subject disciplines are covered by eight panels, and two of these are of particular interest to linguistics: Panel 3 'English Language and Literature' and Panel 5 'Modern Languages and Linguistics'. In fact, due to the pervasiveness of language in the humanities, projects involving linguistic study can occur in just about any of the panels, and the AHRC does not intend the division into subject areas to be a barrier to funding.

Where the proposed project involves the creation of an electronic resource then the applicant must usually fill in the technical appendix of the grant proposal form, and the technical viability of the project will be assessed by a technical assessor in addition to the assessment of the scholoarly merit of the proposal by the relevant panel. The Arts and Humanities Data Service has entered into a partnership with the AHRC in order to perform these technical assessments, and the AHDS refers proposals to the relevant service provider for assessment. In the case of linguistic projects, these are normally refered to Literature, Languages and Linguistics, hosted by the Oxford Text Archive.

In line with AHRC policy, the AHDS is keen for researchers get in touch prior to submitting an application to discuss any technical issues relating to their project and the technical appendix. This can help to make sure that we have enough information in order to make a proper assessment, and so that we have the opportunity to offer any advice that may help the application.

It is also normally a condition of AHRC funding that the resource created will be deposited with the AHDS for archiving and preservation, and where appropriate, distribution. Applicants also need to discuss this prior to submitting an application.

If you are planning a grant application to the AHRC, and your project may involve the creation of an electronic resource, please get in touch, whatever stage you are at.

For more information on the AHRC funding see http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/apply/.

For more information on the AHDS, including some useful case studies, see http://ahds.ac.uk/ahrc/.