Home to some of the best universities in the world (not to mention Hogwarts), the United Kingdom has much to offer graduates and researchers. Whether you are interested in studying in Edinburgh or are already working in London, we have a UK-based fellowship for you. The 24 opportunities below are for UK citizens and foreigners alike, interested in advancing their career or studies in this European island nation.
If one of these fellowships seems like a great opportunity for you, be sure to bookmark it to your ProFellow account!
APS/British Academy Fellowship for Research in London
Since 1933, the American Philosophical Society (APS) has awarded small grants to scholars in order to support the cost of research leading to publication in all areas of knowledge. The APS offers an exchange postdoctoral fellowship for a minimum of 1-2 months’ research in the archives and libraries of London. This award includes travel expenses between the United States and the United Kingdom and a monthly subsistence paid by the APS. Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral quality. Funding is offered up to a maximum of $6,000.
APS/Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities Fellowship for Research in Edinburgh
In collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh, the APS offers a visiting fellowship of between 2-4 months for research in Edinburgh in any aspect of the humanities and social sciences. This award includes travel expenses between the United States and the United Kingdom, a private office, library and research facilities at the IASH, and a monthly subsistence paid by the APS. Travel expenses and the monthly subsistence amount will not exceed a maximum of $6,000.
Atlantic Fellows Programme: Visiting Atlantic Fellow
Over the next 20 years, the Atlantic Fellows programme for Social and Economic Equity will support over 600 Fellows in developing innovative understandings of inequalities, and work toward finding real-world solutions. The Visiting Fellows will benefit from meeting and working alongside the other Atlantic Fellows and the academics in the International Inequalities Institute. This track is a fantastic opportunity for senior figures in the challenge against inequality to undertake an intensive period of research that will create high profile advances in both academic understanding of, and developing practical responses to, the challenge of inequality. The Fellowships will be fully-funded, including any reasonable travel, accommodation in London where needed and office space within the III, along with other reasonable research costs.
Atlantic Non-Residential Fellows
Atlantic Non-Residential Fellows participate in a course, taught over 7 weeks across the year, including an intensive 2-week summer school, delivered by academics from the LSE International Inequalities Institute and the University of Cape Town, with teaching and guidance from charities, NGOs and other advocacy organizations to ensure a range of perspectives on inequalities. The courses will mainly take place within the UK, however, at least one week will be spent at the University of Cape Town. All reasonable travel, accommodation and living costs will be supported by the Atlantic Fellows programme. Ideally, applicants would have around 10 years of experience in tackling inequalities.
Atlantic Residential Fellowship (MSc Inequalities and Social Science)
The Atlantic Residential Fellowship supports applicants in taking the one year MSc Inequalities and Social Science (MISS) at the London School of Economics, with dedicated mentorship, as well as engaging with the wider work of the Atlantic Fellows programme. The Fellowship includes all tuition fees, a stipend to cover living costs whilst in London, and expenses for attendance at Atlantic Fellows events. Applicants must meet the conditions of the MSc Inequalities and Social Science at LSE.
Anne McLaren Fellowships
Applications are invited for The University of Nottingham Anne McLaren Fellowships, which are targeted at exceptional female scientists and engineers who are typically under-represented in these subjects and wish to establish a research career in the UK. The Fellowships are offered in a range of academic units at the University of Nottingham and provide a recognized first step into an independent research career. Each fellowship offers 3 years independent funding to conduct research while based at the University of Nottingham campuses in the UK, China, or Malaysia.
Cambridge International Scholarships Scheme (CISS)
Cambridge University will offer via the Cambridge Trusts at least 80 awards to Overseas Students who embark on a research programme leading to the Ph.D. Each award has a maximum duration of three years and will underwrite the full cost of fees and maintenance for the duration of the course. In order to be eligible for a CISS award commencing in the next academic year, you must have applied for admission/continuation as a graduate student to the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge Trust Scholarship
The Cambridge Commonwealth, European, & International Trust offers scholarships for undergraduate students who pay the University composition fee at the Overseas rate. Most of the Trust’s scholarships for undergraduate applicants are part-cost awards which pay only part of the cost of studying in Cambridge. For more information on the Trust and the scholarships it offers, please see their website.
Charles Wallace India Trust Fellowship in Creative Writing
CWIT enables Indian citizens in the early to mid stages of their careers to spend time in the UK, helping them to achieve artistic, academic and professional ambitions and to broaden their international contacts. There are ten fellowships to enable academics, writers and translators to spend 2-3 months at specified host universities, devoting themselves to their own work and interacting with colleagues. Applicants should be Indian citizens living in India, aged between 25 and 45 (there is no upper age limit for translator fellowships), and have completed postgraduate studies and/or have at least 5 years professional or academic experience. Please consult university websites for application deadlines.
Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships
Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. The programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one-year Master’s degree at any UK University. To be eligible for a Chevening Award you must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country; return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended, and apply to three different eligible UK university courses.
Early Career Fellowship
Early Career Fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. All candidates must hold a doctorate or have equivalent research experience. Applicants must either hold a degree from a UK higher education institution or must hold an academic position in the UK (e.g. fixed-term lectureship, fellowship). The intention is to support the career development of those building an academic career within the UK. The Trust will contribute 50% of each Fellow’s total salary up to £25,000 per annum and provides a £6000/year research expenses allowance.
EPA Marshall Scholars Programme
Jointly funded by the Marshall Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these Scholarships will support research specifically in the area of the environment and can be in any related field. Applicants may study at any appropriate UK Institution. To be eligible for the EPA Marshall Scholarship, applicants must first be selected as Marshall Scholars, applying in the usual way. The Marshall Commission will pay for the first two years of the Scholarship and the Scholar will spend this time in the UK, and the EPA will pay for up to three additional years of study, which can be spent in the UK or the US, providing this research culminates in a doctoral degree.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject at the University of Cambridge. They are awarded on intellectual ability, leadership capacity, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a good academic fit between the applicant’s aspirations and abilities and the course at Cambridge for which they are applying. There are two application deadlines: mid-October (US citizens normally resident in the USA) and early December (all other candidates).
London School of Economics Fully Funded PhD Program in Finance
The London School of Economics offers a fully funded PhD Program in Finance. Finance students begin their PhD by taking microeconomics and macroeconomics courses with students in the Economics program. After completing the economic coursework, students continue through advanced courses in financial econometrics, asset pricing and corporate finance. Upon completion of these courses, PhD students decide on a thesis and conduct independent research under an advisor. Students are funded through studentships in the department, which cover all fees and provide a maintenance stipend throughout the course of the program.
Marshall Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at a UK institution in any field of study. To be eligible, candidates must be U.S. citizens and have obtained a grade point average of not less than 3.7 (or A-) on their undergraduate degree. Apply through your university and check with your university for internal deadlines.
Newton International Fellowships
The Newton International Fellowship selects the very best early stage post-doctoral researchers from all over the world and offers support for two years at UK research institutions. It is for researchers in the fields of physical, natural, and social sciences, and the humanities. They provide grants of £24,000 per annum to cover subsistence and up to £8,000 per annum to cover research expenses, plus a one-off relocation allowance of up to £2,000. In addition, Newton International Fellows may be eligible for follow-up funding of up to £6,000 per annum for up to 5 years following the completion of the Fellowship.
Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowships
As a Reuters Institute Journalist Fellow, you’ll spend one, two or three terms at the University of Oxford. The Institute offers fully funded Fellowships to established mid-career journalists from throughout the world. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in any branch of journalism and demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to be able to participate fully in the life of the Programme and write a research paper in English of publishable quality. Fellowships may be for 3, 6 or 9 months covering one or two terms or a full academic year (October – June) respectively. Awards may include travel expenses (including air travel economy class) and a modest living allowance.
Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals. Established in 1903 under the will of Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international graduate scholarship program in the world. A class of 83 Scholars is selected each year. Please review the website for country-specific citizenship, age and academic eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Schmidt-MacArthur Fellowship
The Schmidt-MacArthur Fellowship is a 12-month international fellowship programme open to postgraduate students in design, engineering and business from a network of fourteen Partner Universities. During the Fellowship year, students work on a bespoke project on the circular economy. The programme includes a week-long summer school in the UK, an online support programme and a cash bursary, as well as the opportunity to link with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s wider programme of activities and networks.
Scottish Enterprise Fellowship
The SE/RSE Enterprise Fellowship programme is designed to encourage the development of a new business, based in Scotland, around a technological idea developed by the Fellow (either individually or with others) and within which the Fellow would be expected to play a leading (though not necessarily the leading) role. Enterprise Fellowships offer a year’s salary to develop your commercial proposition and product (hosted at your university or HEI), business training to give you the knowledge to prepare a viable business plan, and access to networks of mentors, business experts and professional advisors. Applicants must be able to remain and work legally in the UK.
Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
This fellowship is for outstanding post-doctoral scientists wishing to build their own UK-based, independent research career addressing an important biomedical question. Grants support research ranging from the molecules and cells vital to life and their role in the global spread of disease, to clinical and public health research seeking to improve the quality of healthcare. It can be based in the laboratory, clinic or field, and may involve experimental or theoretical approaches. PhDs with significant postdoctoral research experience are invited to apply.
The Thouron Award
The Thouron Award is a graduate exchange program between British universities and the University of Pennsylvania, conceived to reinforce the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. Graduates of British universities receive support for up to two years for a graduate (post-graduate) degree program at the University of Pennsylvania. Graduates of Penn receive up to two years of support for a degree program at any graduate (post-graduate) program in the U.K. Thouron Scholars are chosen both for their strong academic potential and their “ambassadorial qualities.” Students receive full support – tuition and generous stipends.
Winston Churchill Scholarship Program
The Churchill Scholarship Program enables young Americans to pursue graduate study in science, mathematics, and engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge University. A total of 15 one-year Churchill Scholarships are offered each year. The scholarship covers living expenses in addition to tuition and fees. Candidates must be US citizens who have earned a bachelor’s degree but not a doctorate. Applicants must be nominated by their undergraduate institution. The Churchill Foundation’s deadline is in mid-November. Each college may have earlier deadlines.
Woolf Institute Cambridge Scholarships
The Woolf Institute and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust/Cambridge Overseas Trust have agreed to co-fund Ph.D. students at the University of Cambridge. Scholars will be selected from amongst applicants in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Their research must be relevant to the focus of the Woolf Institute – the multi-disciplinary study of relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Each scholarship will cover the full cost of studying for a Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge and will be tenable at any of the thirty-one Cambridge Colleges. Applicants are required to apply to the University in the normal way by the deadlines.
© Victoria Johnson 2017, all rights reserved.