All SIGs that have been granted Full Approval status are eligible to apply to draw upon BAM funds to support their activities. The current available maximum allocation per SIG is £1500 p.a - the limit will be specified annually by BAM Council.

• Applications covering the whole of the coming year's activities submitted by 30 October using a SIG Request for Funding form (annex 3 a) supplied by the SIG Administrator, and accompanied by a list of current SIG members.
• Applications should indicate the amount and nature of support that will be provided from any other source. Non-members are normally expected to join BAM to receive the benefits of the Charity.
• If the full amount is not sought at this stage it will be assumed that the SIG does not require full funding for the year.
• Requests for Funding will be judged on a case-by-case basis, depending on general availability of BAM funds and the nature of the request. No reasonable request will be refused if funds are available.
• Decisions will be communicated to the SIG Chair soon after they have been considered by the Treasurer via SIG Administrator.

Appropriate use of funding

• To support events that reflects each SIGs distinctive aims and objectives (Annex 5). (joint events organised by more than one SIG can be proposed).
• Typical uses made by SIGs for BAM funds have included:
  • Travel and subsistence costs for guest speakers at workshops or seminars; production of reports / working papers / monographs based on SIG events (printed or electronic)
  • Publicity material for events (e.g. flyers for distribution at related conferences etc.)
  • Fees for venue and AV equipment
  • Catering costs
  • Bursaries for doctoral students to cover fees and travel costs to SIG events
  • Travel and subsistence for each SIG's organising committee members to attend at least one committee meeting per year.

Generally it is not possible for funding to be provided to support routine administration of SIGs; this is something that is best shared between members of the committee or organising group with support from the SIG Administrator at the BAM office. However, convenors of very active SIGs may discuss with the BAM Treasurer whether some financial support may be available to supplement income generated by events.

Specific events may require a significant input in terms of secretarial support, documentation, recording, transcription, and communication with participants.

In such circumstances a contribution towards these costs may be requested (e.g. payment of secretarial overtime or to a postgraduate student to provide assistance). However, BAM is not in a position to enter into employment contracts in connection with SIG activities. Therefore early discussion with the SIG Administrator (and through them the SIG Co-ordination Group and BAM Treasurer) of any application involving payment to individuals for work to be undertaken is essential.

• Avoid duplicating general events or services organised by BAM for members (see website and liaise with SIG administrator).
• Bear in mind the nature and geographical distribution of your SIG membership and aim to hold events at accessible venues. Where additional costs are incurred by, for example, using a hired venue to improve accessibility, this is likely to be looked upon favourably but should be clearly explained.

A number of SIGs have established very fruitful collaborative partnerships with other academic or professional groups, in the UK and internationally. Joint events with such groups may not conform to a predictable pattern, and may be complex in accounting terms. For such events it is important to discuss the plans with the BAM Treasurer at an early stage.

Note: Requests for funding to support events organised by SIGs in the 'developmental' or Start Up phase (normally up to one year after initial approval to set up a new SIG) should be submitted on the same application form by 30 October. However, if a SIG has been granted start-up status mid-year, requests for funding can be considered at the following BAM Executive meeting.