New Writing Prize for poetry, fiction and life writing

As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, Wasafiri has launched a New Writing Prize for poetry, fiction and life writing. The competition closes for entries on 30 June, and the winner will be announced on 31 October at a day-long programme of events for Wasafiri at the Southbank Centre in London. Judges for the prize include Margaret Busby, Mimi Khalvati, Susheila Nasta and Blake Morrison. The winner of each category will receive £300, and their work will be published in the first issue of Wasafiri in 2010.

Wasafiri, the literary magazine at the forefront of contemporary international writing, celebrates its 25th birthday in 2009. To mark the occasion, a variety of celebratory events is planned throughout the year.

Since the magazine was first published in 1984 it has continued to champion new writing, celebrating Britain’s diverse cultural heritage together with inspirational writing from around the world. ‘Wasafiri’, the Kiswahili word for ‘travellers’, echoes the magazine’s ethos of writing as a form of cultural travel and its aim to extend the established boundaries of literary culture.

Founded in 1984 by the writer, critic and academic, Susheila Nasta, the magazine has provided a platform for hundreds of writers. Many were struggling to be heard at the outset of their writing careers, and many have since gone on to become world-renowned, award winners.

For further information about the New Writing Prize and forthcoming events, visit the website – www.wasafiri.org

Wasafiri is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Open University and Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Times Higher Education Awards - Research Project of the Year

Deadline: 5 June 2009

This will be awarded to the individual or team for innovative research that has a far-reaching impact on its field and has caught, or has the potential to catch, the imagination of the public. It is open to individuals or teams in any discipline at a UK institution. Nominations must be endorsed by the applicants' institution.

• Explain the background to your project.
• Why was the research necessary, and what were its primary objectives?
• Describe how the research was funded, what the work involved and what challenges arose.
• What did the results reveal, and what are the potential wider benefits to society?
• Has it led to other projects or new avenues of exploration?
• Judges will look for evidence of significant or novel results, creative collaborations and imaginative communication of research results.

The awards will recognise achievements in the 2008/2009 academic year and entries will be accepted between 26 February 2009 and 5 June 2009. Judging will take place in June and the shortlist will be announced in July. The winners will be announced at a dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 15 October 2009.

For more information and online application form see: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=352&;pubCode=1&;navcode=98

Criminology book prize 2009 - closing date for nominations 2 March

The British Society of Criminology invites nominations for its criminology book prize. The prize is designed to encourage and recognise the achievements of new or aspiring members of the criminology profession. Nominated books should show evidence of particular distinction or innovation in methodology or theorising in the general field of criminology, or in the application of criminological theory or research to crime policy or penal practice.

To be eligible, nominated books must have been published between 1 January and 31 December 2008 and be the author's first sole-authored book. Nominated authors, proposers and seconders must be members of the society. The prize includes £100 of books from the Willan publishing list and £500 cash.

More information at:
http://www.britsoccrim.org/othernews.htm#005

Applications invited for Philip Leverhulme Prize 2009

Philip Leverhulme Prizes are awarded to outstanding scholars or practitioners (normally under the age of 36) who have made a substantial and recognised contribution to their particular field of study, recognised at an international level, and whose future contributions are held to be of correspondingly high promise. Approximately 25 Prizes are available each year across the five topics which are offered.

The Prizes commemorate the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of the Founder.

For the 2009 competition the selected disciplines are:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Engineering
• Geography
• Modern European Languages and Literature
• Performing and Visual Arts

The disciplines selected are intentionally broad, and nominations will be considered irrespective of a nominee's departmental affiliation.

Each Prize has a value of £70,000; use should be made of the award over a two or three year period. Prizes can be used for any purpose which can advance the Prize holder's research or practice, with the exception of enhancing the Prize holder's salary.

This involves an electronic application form and the deadline for submission is 4pm on 18 May 2009.

For more information see the Leverhulme Trust website: http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/philip_leverhulme_prizes/

Although this is an application for a prize, if you are considering applying for this funding, please contact Arts-REST. You will need to go through the normal RED form approval process.