PhD Research Opportunities

Funders starting with A

Aga Khan Foundation - International Scholarships. Deadline: 31 March, but should be checked with the Foundation's local branch, as their deadline might be earlier. The Foundation gives awards to outstanding students from developing countries on a 50% grant, 50% loan basis. Priorities are given to Masters applications but PhD courses and requests for travel and study awards for PhD students will also be considered. Topics should fall into the Foundation's Development Network interests. Applicants should not have started their studies at time of application. The Foundation accepts applications from students who are under the age of 30 and based in countries where it has affiliates or local branches: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada. 

The Airey Neave Trust - funding for refugees in higher education. The Trust focuses its attention on Home Office approved refugees, already in the United Kingdom who need to perfect their knowledge of English and to re-qualify in their professions. Support is concentrated in the higher education field, principally post graduate work. Those people with refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom should submit as proof a letter from the Home Office. Asylum seekers, refugees with asylum status in countries other than Britain, overseas students in the UK on a student visa, British citizens, and refugees now holding British citizenship are excluded. 

AXA Research Fund - PhD Fellowships.

• AXA wishes to fund up to thirty three-year PhD studentships of a value of €25,000 per annum, to support the emergence of the world's scientific leaders from the very beginning of their careers. The subject of the research must fall within one of the themes identified by the AXA Scientific Board. In order to apply, you must first be nominated by your institution. 

Funders starting with B

The BBC Performing Arts Fund supports aspiring music makers and performers. The Fund announces different schemes throughout the year. Check the Fund's website for more information.

The Biochemical Society, Krebs Memorial Scholarship.
The Society funds outstanding applicants wishing to pursue a PhD study in biochemistry and/or biomedical sciences. These PhD scholarships cover the tuition fees at UK/EU student rate and provides maintenance, totalling up to £18,000 for one year which can be renewed up to three years. Students from any nationality can apply. Applicants will be expected to have made prior arrangements with the university at which they intend to hold the award. The application should be forwarded through the Head of Department concerned. Visit the Society's website for more information.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The BBSRC is a non-departmental public body and aims promote high-quality basic, strategic and applied research relating to the understanding of biological systems.

The Biotechnology YES Programme. Deadline for applications is usually June. 
The Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) supports postgraduate researchers with its mentoring, advice and practical workshop competition.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Germany Foundation – Scholarships.
The British Chamber of Commerce in Germany Foundation invites applications for its scholarships to allow British and German students to study or conduct research in Germany or the UK, respectively. The award is intended to provide supplementary financial support, not to defray the full cost of the proposed course of study or research. Applicants should be undertaking full-time courses of study at universities leading to degrees, diplomas or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must be aged under 30 years at the application deadline, which is 30 June annually. For more information please see the BCCG website

The British Charitable Foundation for Women Graduates, trading as Funding for Women Graduates (FfWG) provides some funding to aid women graduates studying for a PhD in the UK. There are three strands of funding:

• Foundation Grants - will not normally exceed £4,000 and will only be available for the final year of a PhD or DPhil (full time) or from the third year onwards (part time). Applicants from Britain and overseas are eligible to apply. This grant assists with living expenses; evidence of ability to pay fees is required. Closing date is 14 May and awards are announced in July for the following year of study.
• Emergency Grants - will not normally exceed £1,500 and are offered to women graduates who face an unforeseen financial crisis during the course of their research studies. Applicants from Britain and overseas are eligible to apply. Evidence of ability to pay fees is required. Closing dates for applications are in March, June and November each year.
• Theodora Bosanquet Bursary (TBB) - offered annually to women graduates whose research in History or English Literature requires a short residence in London during the summer. Two bursaries are provided annually to cover the cost of up to four weeks' stay in a London hall of residence. Closing dates for applications are 31st October each year.
• For more details and to apply, please see the FfWG website.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society – Postgraduate Bursary Scheme.
The British Occupational Hygiene Society invites applications for its postgraduate bursary scheme. The bursaries support students who are registered on, or have been offered a place on, any UK-based postgraduate course approved by the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene. Up to five awards are available annually of up to £4,000 each to cover the costs of academic fees; the deadline for applications is typically 30 June. The award will be paid directly to the candidate's university. Bursary holders will be given free student membership of BOHS. Please see the BOHS website for more information.

The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies. Deadline: usually 31 March each year for all schemes.
BRISMES offers a number of awards for postgraduate students studying for taught and research degrees in a British university, working on a topic related to the Middle East or undertaking a taught programme in any discipline but including a majority component relating to the Middle East. The awards range in value from £1000 to £2000. There are restrictions on eligibility, different for each scheme. See the BRISMES website for further information.

Funders C - E

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF) provides funding of £500-£3000 for Canadian postgraduate students already enrolled and studying in the UK. See the CCSF website for more information.

The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the UK
CSUK offers a number of scholarships schemes to enable Commonwealth students to study in the UK for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Please see the CSUK website for more information.

The Design History Society (Deadlines: 15 January and 15 September annually) offers financial aid for postgraduate students, Hosting conferences, travel to conferences, meetings etc., travel for research purposes, directed grants for individual investigators, and support to publish, edit, translate, disseminate. To be eligible, postgraduate candidates must be registered with an institution to undertake a MPhil or PhD degree in design history of any period. Independent scholars affiliated with, as well as those in the employ of, academic and cultural institutions are also eligible. No application should exceed £1,500.

The Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Studentships are administered by Research Councils UK and aims to attract the best research students from India, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and the developing world to come and study for their PhDs in top rated UK research facilities. Students wanting to apply for DHPA funding should contact individual recipient universities, using the contact points provided, rather than sending applications to individual research councils that are part of this scheme. For more information see the RCUK website.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The ESRC funds research and training in social and economic issues and are an independent organisation. Their small grants scheme welcomes applications for travel expenses only. 

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funds postgraduate researchers through a suite of training grants - see the EPSRC website for more information.

• Doctoral Training (applications are accepted through the institution at which you intend to study, usually at the beginning of May).
• Training and Secondments provide postgraduate students with the opportunity of getting the skills and experience required by the industry. These programmes include the Industrial Fellowships which give industrial researchers the chance to carry out research or course-development in a UK university or academic researchers to work in a UK business; and Industrial CASE awards which allow companies take the lead in defining and arranging PhD projects with an academic partner of their choice.
• Collaborative training programmes. Selected universities receive substantial long-term funding from the EPSRC for collaborative training.
• International Doctoral Studentships aim to give leading research teams in the UK the ability to recruit outstanding graduate students from anywhere in the world. Universities that have EPSRC-supported Portfolio Partnerships or Interdisciplinary Research Centres can transfer up to 10% of their yearly institutional Doctoral training grant into the International Doctoral Scholarships scheme.

ESCalate – The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Education - student grants are available to enable students to work with fellow students and staff, in engaging and responding to the learning, teaching and training issues of concern to you.

European Doctoral College, Strasbourg. Research Grants
Grants to enable talented students of European countries to prepare a PhD in two different European institutions: one in Strasbourg and one in a European country of the student’s choice (not France). Students will prepare their doctorate as part of a research project involving the two universities. Students in all subjects are accepted. The city of Strasbourg has three universities which all specialise in different areas (Louis Pasteur, Marc Bloch and Robert Schuman universities). Funds are available for travel abroad and participation in international conferences and summer schools. Applicants must be accepted for a PhD at a university of Strasbourg or in another European university; and have obtained financial support for the PhD. See the University of Strasbourg site for more information.

Funders F - K

Ford Foundation International Fellowships - for people from particular countries currently including: Brazil, Chile, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Vietnam, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. It is mainly for people who would otherwise lack opportunities for advanced study, including women, people from particular ethnic, racial or religious groups and those who live outside capital cities or in countries of conflict or post-conflict situations. Funds are provided for up to three years of Masters or doctoral study. See the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program website for more information. (The Foundation is no longer accepting new applicants).

Florence Mary Mackenzie Bequest - provides supplementary grants to Canadian students studying Medicine and related sciences, to cover or contribute to fees, travel costs, books, etc. Applications in writing only to Mr G. Bentinck, Peterkins Solictors, 100 Union St, Aberdeen AB1 1QR.

Foundation for the Canadian Studies in the UK - seeks to provide financial support for well-qualified and talented British and Canadian citizens, who are permanent residents in the UK, to conduct doctoral research, at a UK University, containing a substantial Canadian element and with relevance to Canadian Studies in the UK. Host institutions will be expected to provide 'matching funding' to make up the balance of the home/EU tuition fees. Maximum grants are £2,000 per annum full-time and £750 per annum part-time. PhD degree-granting institutions may apply and students may be in his or her first, second, or third year of doctoral study (part-time up to fourth year of study). 

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. See http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html

The Gen Foundation - a charitable trust which supports the research and study of natural sciences and the arts. The Foundation focuses on biological, chemical and botanical science students/researchers, and exceptional candidates from language, music and art. Awards are one-off and usually up to £3,000, though exceptionally more may be awarded. Please see The Gen Foundation website for more information.

German Historical Institute London - Scholarships. Deadline: 31 March and 30 September each year.
These fund research visits by British and German postgraduates to Germany or Britain respectively. The scholarships may last for up to six months. Applicants should have completed one year’s postgraduate research, and should be studying either German history or Anglo-German relations.

The International Council for Canadian Studies, CA. Graduate Student Scholarships. Deadline usually 24 November annually.
The Council solicits proposals under its graduate student scholarships program. This is open to students of the social sciences or humanities who are in the process of preparing a graduate thesis or doctoral dissertation on Canada. Recipients spend four to six weeks at a Canadian university or research site other than their own doing research related to their thesis or dissertation in the field of Canadian studies. The stipend is worth up to $3,500. See the ICCS website for more information.

The Korner Travelling Fellowship Fund Deadlines: 31 January, 31 May, 30 September each year.
The Korner Travelling Fellowship Fund exists to commemorate the work of Professor Asher Korner, the first Professor of Biochemistry in the University of Sussex. Fellowships are available to allow students and recently qualified postdoctoral scientists, working in the field of gene expression (or related areas) in laboratories in the U.K. or Republic of Ireland, to visit laboratories outside these countries or to attend international conferences. Awards are also available to similar applicants from abroad who wish to visit laboratories or conferences within the U.K. or Republic of Ireland. Awards of up to £1000 towards the costs of travel and subsistence may be made at each funding round. To be eligible an applicant must be a postgraduate or final year undergraduate student currently registered for a degree. The topic of study to be pursued during the foreign trip should lie within the fields of gene expression, protein biosynthesis or molecular endocrinology. Please see the Fund's website for more information.

Funders L - P

Leverhulme Trust Study Abroad Studentships Deadline: usually early January each year
These awards support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any overseas country (except USA). Applicants must have been resident in the UK for at least five years at time of application and must hold an undergraduate degree from a UK institution. They should be under age 30 or, if older, make a strong case for special consideration. Details of each year’s scheme are usually published on The Leverhulme Trust's web site in September with a closing deadline in early January.

The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust gives Postgraduate Bursaries which are designed to provide support for eligible UK students i.e. those who are (or who are connected with) Commercial Travellers, Grocers or Chemists, in financial need undertaking full-time Postgraduate degree courses at institutions in the United Kingdom, leading to recognised qualifications (e.g. PhD/MSc).For more details and to apply see the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust website.

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. They are funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and administered by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) in the UK. For full information on applying for a scholarship and the Marshall Aid Charity Commission please visit www.marshallscholarship.org.

Mary Trevelyan Fund (Grants - Student Residents/Members of International Students House (ISH) only). Small supplementary grants. The fund has been set up to help international students from developing countries. Students must be in their final year of a full-time programme at any publicly-funded London institution and intend to return home on completion of their studies. Students will need to demonstrate financial hardship resulting from unforeseen circumstances or expenses. UEL international students are members of International Students House: please contact the UEL International Office with any queries about ISH membership or applying to this scheme.

Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Rubicon Scholarship Programme
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research invites applications for the Rubicon programme. Grants enable researchers from abroad to spend one year conducting research in the Netherlands. The Rubicon programme is open to all scientific disciplines. Depending on the nature of the project, applicants may conduct field research. Postgraduates who are currently engaged in doctoral research, or recent doctoral graduates, may apply. Women are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted by individual researchers. 

The Parkes Foundation offers grants to assist PhD students to conduct research in the biosocial disciplines of reproduction, demography or fertility. The aim of these awards is to allow registered PhD students to undertake substantive fieldwork as part of their higher degree in these fields. One grant of up to £3,000 will be offered to a registered PhD student. Additionally small grants are awarded for projects in these disciplines and also areas of human health (including HIV/AIDS), conservation and human genetics. More information from The Parkes Foundation website .

Funders Q - W

Research and Development Management Association (RADMA) - Doctoral Studies Programme and Student Conference Funding. Deadline - 31 March each year (Doctoral Competition) and Open (Student Conference Funding, and Project Support)
RADMA issues an annual call for proposals under its Doctoral Studies Programme in January each year, with a deadline for applications at the end of March. The award provides up to three years funding of up to £17,500 per annum (including fees) to talented prospective or mid-study PhD students, offering an opportunity to concentrate on the studentship for the period of the award. Under the Student Conference Funding programme, RADMA will provide support of up to £500 to enable doctoral students to give papers to conferences, and £250 to support attendance only. Project Support scheme provides funds to PhD students up to £1000 for research expenses. See the RADMA website for more information.

Rotary Foundation Grants - Ambassadorial Scholarships. Grants for academic study from intensive short courses to degrees. Applications are made through your local Rotary club in your home country. 

Rothschild Foundation (Europe), Academic Jewish Studies in Europe Grant Programme. Doctoral Fellowships. Deadline: usually late March annually.
These awards support students preparing themselves for, or undertaking, doctoral dissertation research in Jewish studies at an academic institution in Europe. Fellowships last for a period of one year and provide funding of between £3,000 and £12,000.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council offers studentships that aim to enable promising scientists and and engineers to continue training beyond a first degree. The types of STFC studentships include the following:

• Standard Research Studentships are designed to lead to the award of a PhD for both full-time and part-time students.
• CASE Studentships Co-operative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) are designed to give students experience outside a purely academic environment. CASE awards are for three years and provide for training of a research student on a project involving the joint supervision of the student by an academic member of staff and an employee of a UK industrial firm or an organisation in the public service (the “co-operating body”).
• CASE-Plus studentships extend the CASE scheme to help students become more effective in promoting technology transfer, should their chosen career path take them into either academic research or industry.
• Gemini Studentship is for students from Argentina, Brazil and Chile to study for an astronomy PhD in the UK.
• Spanish (IAC) Studentships as part of the agreement with the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC), Tenerife, Spain to support a maximum of two IAC students at any one time to study for an astronomy PhD in the UK.
• Project studentships can be applied for through the research grants path as part of a research grant proposal.
• Candidates for studentships must be nominated by Institutions using the appropriate form before the closing date for nominations on 31 July.

Society for Italian Studies - Postgraduate Student Bursary Fund. Deadlines: 15 June and 15 December each year.
This fund is designed to support Postgraduate students by facilitating their attendance at UK and ROI conferences which are not directly funded by the Society for Italian Studies (i.e. bursaries are not available for the SIS Biennial or Interim Conferences). Bursaries are normally available for students giving a conference paper, but individual circumstances will be considered. In order to be eligible for a bursary, students must also apply to their home institution for funding and must have the support of their Head of Department. Please note that the requested amount for a bursary should not normally exceed £100. All applicants must be members of the Society for Italian Studies.

Wellcome Trust
The Trust is an independent charity funding research to improve human and animal health. It awards Developing Countries Research Travel Grants to enable biomedical ethics researchers based in developing or restructuring countries to meet with prospective collaborators within their own country or another country to discuss ideas for biomedical ethics research collaborations. Flexible Travel awards provide opportunities for mobility and collaboration, and enable successful scientists to obtain experience in new disciplines. Further details here.