The Campion Fund is funded by Manchester Statistical Society. It provides grants of not normally greater than £5,000 to support research on the economy, society and government which has an academic and/or policy benefit.  Grants may be used independently of, or in conjunction with, funds from other bodies. Successful applicants are offered a year’s free membership of the Society, and may be invited to present their research to the Society.  

New applications will be reviewed twice a year, on 1st March and 1st September.

The origin of the fund was a bequest to the Manchester Statistical Society by the late Sir Harry Campion, one-time Reader in Statistics at Manchester University, Vice-President of the Society and the first head of the Government Statistical Service.

Who can apply?

Applicants may be based at any UK institution. They are welcomed from:

• postgraduate students undertaking research degrees
• early career academics undertaking research for CV development
• academics in permanent posts

Applicants need to have a UK bank account and are required to have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the project that they are proposing. 

What approaches can be used?

Projects using qualitative or quantitative methods are welcomed. Qualitative methods might include interviews, questionnaires and the analysis of documents or existing data sets and records. Quantitative methods include the construction of data sets.

What themes are considered?

Projects should relate to one of three themes, outlined below.

Strand 1: Projects that examine broad issues relating to the economy, society and government in any location

This strand is particularly aimed at postgraduate students and early career academics who are seeking to undertake research as part of their degree, for ‘job market’ papers or for career development. Priority will be given to applicants in those categories. Any location may be the focus of the research, but it should relate to economic, social or political issues. Examples of recently funded projects in this strand:

Mr David Caldwell Brexit and populism: Ideological change and the dynamics of trust

Strand 2: Projects that examine the contemporary economy, society and government of the North West region

This strand is appropriate for those whose projects examine contemporary issues in the North-West region which have an academic or policy benefit. It is open to applicants at any level in their career. Examples of recently funded projects in this strand:

Dr Bethan Harries An assessment of future needs of older BME populations and the impact for health and social care in Greater Manchester.

Prof. Karel Williams Well-being and the economy: a place based approach.

Strand 3: Projects that investigate the historic economy, society and government of the North West region

This strand is appropriate for those conducting archival research on the history of the North-West. It is open to applicants at any level in their career. Examples of recently funded projects in this strand:

Ms Michaela Hulme Death and the disposal of the dead in the world’s first industrial city

Dr Craig Horner To determine occupational status and age for the Cheshire motor vehicle registrants, 1904-1914

What are the requirements for successful applicants?

Successful applicants are asked to acknowledge the support of the Manchester Statistical Society in any publications that arise from the funded project. They are also asked to produce a summary of the key findings of their project that can be featured on the Society’s website. 

Apply for a Campion Grant

Applications should be made using the form here.