Hi Islandish, try the Arts and Humanities Funding Forum for a list of charities/bursaries available. Alice, who runs the forum is very kind and helpful- you might want to email her or start a separate thread there.

I bought StyleWriter (£130). Whilst it is not perfect, its considered to be the best proof reading software on the market. Still got to use a bit of common sense though.

University admin departments are rubbish Pamplemousse....I've had similar problems, and like you get very anxious when things like this are out of my control. If were you I would contact the AHRC, ask to speak to the admin officer who is reponsible for your Uni and ask them whats going on. Words like 'dispute' are banded around all to easily for my liking. I was in 'dispute' with my finance department for kindly notifying them that the AHRC would be paying them fees! Its crazy, and yes it causes problems with enrolment etc but you must bang some heads together! Contact AHRC first, then your grad office demand answers and be proactive.

Lets Pretend (I remember the yellow thing on a stick)
Finger Mouse!
Rainbow - Bungle was such a pervert always asking Jane to sit on his lap because there weren't enough chairs - yeah right puppets really need chairs when they've got a hand up their arse.
Count Duckula
What was the programme with Pat Sharpe (lovely hair) in, was it Fun Factory?

Echo everything you have said Stressed (hope the dissertation is going well and you are feeling okay???) - the support from everyone has indeed been wonderful. Maybe we could start a new thread for AHRC survivors???? I too hope everyone keeps visiting this forum and doesn't just fade into the background. Knowing there are people out there who understand the ups and downs of academia is extremely important and its good to remember you are not alone.

Impending if you are still out there I hope things have turned out okay for you.

I can't believe there are so many of you out there still waiting for your letters. I received my good news on Tuesday, but my letter was generated 2 weeks previously. The date on the letter was the 22nd, so there can be a long delay between the letter being generated and it actually being printed and posted. Its ridiculous you are all still waiting, I was going mental last week so I can really sympathise with the way you are feeling. I would say (having spoken to many AHRC veterans) that those of you whose letters haven't been generated maybe on the reserve list. Although having said that their incompentancy knows no bounds so I could be wrong.

Good luck anyway, I wouldn't wish this process on my worst enemy
xxxx

Thanks Pallas I might get some sleep tonight now! I echo everything Olivia says by the way. We have an extreme system in the UK of have and have nots in higher education. A loan system (by no means ideal... more debt!) at least gives you an option to continue with your research. It saddens me to think that there is brilliant research out there that will never be written because of the lack of options out here for those who do not get funding. Too all or nothing for my liking, we need more alternatives...

Hi Impending I'm panel 4. Not sure about panel 5 but my fingers are crossed for you!

ps. Congrats Bobnic!!!!

Stressed: I feel you need stern words right now. I've been reading your posts today and you are beating yourself up far too much. What you are feeling is perfectly natural - gutted you didn't get AHRC/conflicting emotions of others good news. It is not 'sour grapes' or anything of the sort the simple fact is that for any one individual to get an award several others have to miss out. Allow yourself to indulge in these emotions and don't apologise for it!

Your achievements are immense and don't bloody forget it. Your proposal is brilliant and as a more cultural literary historian I feel the work you are proposing is very important (and sorely missed with the linguistic turn). So in short bloody hurry up and write it woman so discourse obsessed people like me can benefit from it!!!!

I'm so sorry MissHopeful its crap. I just don't understand why they can't get the bloody letters out sooner!!! I know I'm repeating myself but I DON'T UNDERSTAND why it takes them so long to inform everyone when rankings were finalised in July! Aaaahhhhhhhh! What can I say, your project sounds brilliant and benefits communities in a direct way. It's bloody wrong, people like you should be supported - governments waste enough money on stupid initiatives that benefit nobody - its so frustrating that someone like you doesn't get the help that they so richly deserve.

I really hope you make it xxx

Thanks stressed but I still think I need the therapy- shaky confidence syndrome doesn't disappear over night!!!

Thanks Miss Hopeful. Don't worry there are still others waiting - we wouldn't leave you alone anyway!!! I know the support I've had off you all has been immense but we must keep it going till the bitter end!!!!

Fingers crossed there is good news all the way. If not from the AHRC then Uni funding or even a lottery win!!!

I got it!!!! I'm over the moon as you would expect.

Despite surviving the massacre of 2008 I still think we deserved better treatment than we've had. Not every one is lucky (there is a fair element of this involved!!!) but the process of informing people of the outcome of their application is shabby at best! I will continue to be around to share in everyone's good/bad news and offer support and congratulations where appropriate.

All the best to everyone - I don't know what I'd have done without you all. xxxx

Thanks walminskipeas that's really kind of you. I will more than consider it, after all a nervous breakdown is hardly condusive to producing a great PhD!