Research Impact Award

Applications to the 2026 Research Impact Award have now closed.
Applications for the 2027 Research Impact Award will open in January 2027.

The Research Impact Award is awarded annually to members of ASEAS to support research and impact activities in Southeast Asian Studies.

Fieldwork in Southeast Asia or key sites in the diaspora;
In line with ASEAS’s commitment to do its part in combating climate catastrophe, the Research Impact Award supports low-carbon and more inclusive research practices. The award can be used to support the hiring of a research assistant to consult archives remotely or the purchase of an individual subscription to an online resource database. If remote research is not possible, scholars can also apply to travel for research purposes, but they will have to include a brief statement explaining why travel is necessary;
Research visits to important regional archives, museums, collections, exhibitions or performances (concerning but not necessarily located in Southeast Asia);
A visit to engage in collaborative work (for example, writing, artistic practice or the development of a digital project) with an academic or practitioner colleague from another institution in Southeast Asia;
The development or dissemination of a film, audio piece, website, or other artistic project in order to communicate research to a non-academic audience. Click here for guidance and advice on developing a digital project by former ASEAS award recipient Dr Charlie Rumsby;
Delivery of a paper to an academic or practitioner audience based on research previously conducted on/in the region.

Applicants can be based anywhere in the world but must be members of ASEAS and Early Career Researchers. ‘Early Career’ scholars are those working at postgraduate level or above or within five years of their first continuing lecturing or research appointment.
One award of up to £2000 is allocated each year.
The decision on allocating the award will be made on the basis of the proposed project’s fit with the criteria outlined in the Guidance Notes (see below) and on the expected outcomes. Awards cannot be made retrospectively.

Applications for the 2026 Award have now closed. Details of how to apply for the 2027 will be announced in January 2027.

For enquiries about the award, please contact awards@southeastasianstudies.org