Resources for Research Group committees
Below are a number of resources for current Research Group committee members. If you have any queries please contact RHED@rgs.org
Core resources
All committee members should be familiar with:
- The Research Groups Handbook (PDF) (last updated November 2025)
- The Annual calendar of deadlines and events (PDF) (last updated October 2025 – all dates provisional)
- Guidance for Research Groups and GDPR (PDF) (last updated September 2018)
- Guidance on external sponsorship of Research Groups (DOC) (last updated December 2021)
- Research Group committee updates form (DOC)
- Research Group committee appointment form (DOC)
Reporting and finances
Research Group financial and annual reports should be provided to rhed@rgs.org by no later than 31 October each year.
- Research Group annual report template (DOC)
- Research Group financial reporting form (MSEXCEL)
- Guidance for Treasurers (PDF) (last updated October 2025)
Grant applications
Research Groups are invited to make applications for grants to support their activities by the deadline of 31 October each year. Additional guidance on applications is provided in the Research Group handbook.
Responsive Interventions Fund
We recognise there are events and issues both nationally and globally on which Research Groups are well placed to share their expertise and insights.
Groups may wish to call for action on a particular subject or event; to draw attention to a situation; or to express solidarity with and support for affected communities - both within and beyond their own group membership.
Applications can be made to the Responsive Interventions Fund, to support such interventions, at any point during the year. Grants from the Responsive Interventions Fund will not normally exceed £1,000, although exceptions can be made.
Items funded can include paying people for their time/work, with priority for those not in salaried roles. Additional guidance on applications is available in the Research Groups Handbook.
Constitutions
Research Groups considering updates to their constitutions are asked to use the following template, approved by the Research and Higher Education Committee:
- Research Group Constitution template (DOC) (last updated September 2023)
Executive role bursaries
One of the requirements to hold the role of Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a Research Group is Fellowship (including Associate Fellowship) of the Society.
As part of the Society’s support for Research Groups, each year funds will be available for up to five bursaries (each for one year) to cover the costs of Society Fellowship for unsalaried individuals if elected to executive roles on group committees.
Those who are interested in taking on a Research Group executive committee role but whose circumstances prevent them from taking up Society Fellowship, are invited to submit an expression of interest for this support, using the form below.
The annual deadline for applications is 15 September.
Annual International Conference Guest registration scheme
To encourage and support participation in the annual conference, beyond UK geography, each Research Group is entitled to request complimentary registration from the organisers totalling six days.
More information on the criteria for applications and the consideration process is available in the Research Groups Handbook.
The 2026 Guest registration scheme application form will be available in Spring 2026.