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The Wallpaper History Society offers a bursary of up to £1,500 each year to support historical and cultural research and/or developments in period wallcoverings. The bursary prize is offered in memory of Merryl Huxtable, a founder member of the WHS and pioneer in the field of wallpaper conservation.

 

​In recognition that the need for funds to support research may arise at any time during the year, the Wallpaper History Society will accept applications at any time. Decisions regarding the suitability of applications will be responded to on a case-by-case basis.

 

Who can apply?

​​Applications are welcomed from graduates involved in projects that explore the history, conservation or development of wallcoverings in the United Kingdom. Researchers based in the UK who have a proven record of publishing work in this or a related field are also eligible. Funds may also be allocated to support new researchers who may not have evidence of previous published work, but who are able to demonstrate commitment to undertake a relevant project or research.

 

The WHS is committed to supporting research projects which contribute to knowledge in the field. For this reason, the bursary is awarded only for original research based largely on primary sources and/or practical conservation work.

 

​​What is a Merryl Huxtable award winner expected to produce?

​​Successful applicants will be expected to provide an interim report at the halfway point (usually after the first six months), and at the end of the project they will be required to produce evidence of their work in a suitable format. This may be in the form of an illustrated essay of 3000-4,000 words to be published in the Society’s journal, The Wallpaper History Review. Alternatively, the WHS may consider a record of the work provided in an openly accessible format, such as (but not exclusively) recorded interviews; a database of findings; films of conservation, online talks and presentations or demonstrations of research processes etc. The WHS will hold and share such outcomes as a resource, including through the Society’s website, and the award recipient will be expected to produce an accompanying short report (rather than a 3,000 - 4,000 word essay) outlining the outcomes of the project, to be published in the WHS Review.

 

​What happens once an application is received?

We will acknowledge receipt of all applications.
All applications are examined by the Society’s Bursary Committee and, as appropriate, by specialist external assessor(s). The panel reserves the right to request more detailed information should this be required.

Successful applicants will receive the first tranche of the bursary as soon as they are informed of their successful application for the award. The final payment of the bursary will be made on receipt of an essay or agreed alternative submission in a timeframe usually to suit the deadline for publication of the WHS journal the Review, or as agreed with the awarding panel.

 

The decision of the panel is final.
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How to apply

We are pleased to announce that the Merryl Huxtable Bursary has been successfully awarded to two applicants during the 2025-26 period. Applications for the Bursary are now closed until January 2027, when we will be happy to receive new proposals.