The Anna Plowden Trust Award for Research and Innovation in Conservation

The Anna Plowden Trust Award recognises the achievements of those involved in conservation research, development and application.

What is the Award for?
The Award is for the best completed programme of research or development aimed at furthering the practice of conservation. This may relate to materials, equipment, systems or techniques for improved conservation and collection care, and could be for examination, analysis, treatment or monitoring. The work must be completed with a view to possible publication, or put on the market, in the UK between 1 March 2002 and 30 June 2003.

Who is eligible to apply?
Scientists, conservators, designers, manufacturers or suppliers based in public or commercial sector laboratories, studios or workshops. The application should be made by the head of the laboratory or studio, or manager/director of the company. In the case of joint initiatives, the application must be supported by the co-operating organisations. Projects which are primarily aimed at analytical investigation, with only minimal conservation content or implications, are not eligible.

Timetable and Judging
Entrants for the Anna Plowden Award should submit a short application by 30 September 2003, using the printed or electronic application form provided. These will be sifted and considered for short-listing by the Anna Plowden Trustees. Only short-listed candidates will be asked for full details of their projects. All short-listed candidates will be informed in early November and asked to submit full details of their projects by mid-January 2004.

The judges will visit the short-listed projects in the spring of 2004 in order to meet those involved and see the outcome of the projects at first hand.

Criteria for assessment of the Anna Plowden Trust Award

Wider benefit to the conservation of heritage
Excellence in experimental technique, imaginative investigations, innovative solutions, resourcefulness
Extent of potential uptake and wider application
Revelations or discoveries
Quality of collaboration with clients and others
Good documentation, clarity of methodology and presentation
Training benefits and applications
Enhancement of public understanding and appreciation
Cost-effectiveness.

The judges will take into account that not every project will be able to demonstrate all these features.

Conditions of application

The work must be carried out in the UK.
The outcome of the project must be accessible to the public in the UK.
The work must be completed with a view to possible publication, or put on the market, in the UK between 1 March 2002 and 30 June 2003.
Joint applications from conservators or others working in collaboration are accepted.
All applicants should be clearly identified on the application form.
Applications may be made for both the Award for Conservation and the Anna Plowden Trust Award (using separate forms).
The decisions of the judges are final.