2007 saw TIMA's first venture into creating a source of funding for projects relating to Islamic manuscripts. The Executive Committee worked hard beforehand to create an application form which it hoped would convey TIMA's vision for its funding and attract deserving proposals. Examining the grant applications, which took place during the Board meeting in December 2007, was itself an important learning process for the Board, and a number of recommendations were made for amendments to the application form and procedure which have subsequently been implemented.

A total of 18 applications were received from 15 scholars or groups. The areas of study encompassed an encouraging geographical range, from the Belarusian Tatar manuscripts in Arabic to the Sufi writings of Western Sumatra, although there was a noticeable emphasis on Persian and Indian subjects overall. The Board welcomed all proposals, but would particularly like, in future, to encourage applications for projects concerning less well represented areas of the Islamic world and to discourage multiple applications from the same person or group.

The UK and Iran were the most well-represented countries among the applicants, with Turkey, Northern Europe and Malaysia also represented. There was only one application from an Arab country and from the USA respectively. Funding was requested for projects relating to all of TIMA's sub-committee areas, as well as individual manuscript projects, although cataloguing was relatively under-represented.

The Board was pleased to be able to fully support roughly half of all applications, although nearly a quarter were rejected outright. Those projects which were successful were those which were very precise in budgeting and/or methodology. TIMA is keen to encourage independent and exciting projects, but cannot support proposals which are not carefully planned, however interesting the subject. Projects whose aims and stages were very clearly defined were generally successful, as were those which were realistic about their scope and budgetary requirements. On a couple of occasions, the Board reserved the right to make slight changes, mainly to specific equipment requested for projects, before granting funding. A small number of applicants were asked to re-submit their proposals with greater clarification in time for the next Board meeting in early April, where those applications which were resubmitted were examined and further amounts of funding awarded.

Conclusion

The response to the 2007 Grant Scheme was very encouraging. It was clear to the Board that the major weakness in many applications was a lack of precision in the areas of budgeting and methodology. Applicants did not always fully explain the precise steps their research would take, nor why a project was expected to cost a certain amount. The Board acknowledged that the layout of the application form may be at fault, and it has been modified to encourage greater clarity. Applicants should also read the Notes for Applicants part of the form very carefully.

The Board itself was not fully prepared for some dilemmas which arose, notably the question of whether TIMA, as a charitable foundation, should fund- in effect, subsidise- commercial publications, as well as whether to withhold part of the funding until after successful completion of a project. Eventually a policy was decided upon by which 80% of the total funding would be awarded at the outset, followed by the final 20% on completion of the project. The Board would like applicants to be more precise about how their projects relate to TIMA's sub-committee areas and how they contribute to TIMA's aims and ideals. Applicants are encouraged to use local researchers and expertise wherever possible in order to promote the spread of knowledge around the world. Lastly, the Board will continue to endeavour to promote TIMA and its Grant Scheme so that those organisations with little access to funding or the know-how to apply for it can continue to contribute to the study of Islamic manuscripts.

Projects funded by TIMA 2007-2008 Grant Scheme

NB: All projects have been sent 80% of the amount shown here, with a final 20% to be sent upon successful completion of the project and submission of a final report.

First round projects granted funding:

First round projects granted initial funding, potentially to be followed by a top-up upon successful completion of specified stages:

Projects granted funding following resubmission: