Scholarships & funding

James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships

The James McCune Smith Scholarships will fund Black UK students to undertake PhD research at the University.  They will provide an enhanced experience through external mentors, placements, leadership training, community-building activities and networking opportunities.  The Scholarships are named after James McCune Smith, who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 as the first African American to receive a medical degree. 

Key Features:

• PhD research can be in any discipline
• Funding covers stipend and fees for 4 years
• 6 month placement with industry, a government or non-governmental organisation or other employer
• Mentorship from outside academia to provide a broader perspective and network, in addition to the usual academic supervisors
• Leadership training and community building activities
• Support for conferences and other networking opportunities

 Eligibility. 

• A candidate must be a UK domiciled Black African, Black Caribbean, Black other, Mixed-White and Black or other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black other). 
• The University is seeking to address under-representation by these groups in our PhD programmes. 
• This is an extra opportunity for Black UK students to receive a funded PhD place at the University of Glasgow. 
• Applying for a James McCune Smith Scholarship does not prevent a candidate from simultaneously applying for other schemes to obtain a funded place. However, only one funded place can be accepted. 

Value

Funding covers stipend (estimated at £19,795 for 2025 entry) and fees at UKRI level for up to four years, as well as providing a training and support grant of £3,000 per year

How to apply

Please visit the James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships how to apply page for details.

For more information contact: JMSPhD@glasgow.ac.uk