ARCHAEOLOGY FIELDWORK BURSARIES

The Schools Committee of the Roman Society, in conjunction with the Roman Research Trust, invites applications for its new archaeological fieldwork bursaries for 16 to 18 year olds. These bursaries are made available partly by funding from the Roman Society, and partly by funding from the Roman Research Trust. All eligible applications will be considered for support from both funds; successful candidates will be told which fund their support comes from. The bursaries are designed to cover costs of up to £150 per week to enable applicants to participate on an archaeological project. The project should have some link to Roman studies.

To apply candidates should contact first the director/principal investigator of the project they wish to join. The director should then write a short letter (no more than one side of A4) confirming his/her willingness to take the candidate on the project. This letter should also specify what and how training will be provided, noting the staff/supervisor: digger/student ratio. It should also confirm that the candidate, if accepted on the project, would be fully insured. Finally, a copy of the project risk assessment/health and safety guidelines should accompany the letter from the director.

The candidate should then send a copy of the director's letter and risk assessment, with a covering letter to Dr Helen Cockle, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, Senate House, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU by 15 May 2004. The covering letter should outline the applicant's reasons for wishing to apply, their other sources of finance, and the amount requested. It should be clear from the letter exactly what costs the award is expected to cover. Candidates are advised that in the event of strong demand for these bursaries, it may not be possible to award grants to cover more than one week at a time.

Information on fieldwork opportunities may be found at www.Britarch.ac.uk/cba/ (see 'fieldwork opportunities') or www.archaeology.co.uk/directory/index.asp?cat=1. Alternatively, candidates may seek information on opportunities in their local museum, library or university. The Roman Society is not able to make recommendations concerning individual projects.