Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

Type of award

Scholarship

Managing department

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Value

The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund is a doctoral scholarship fund provided by the Institute of Physics to encourage greater diversity in physics.

There are two award categories: a co-funding award for the doctoral programme with a fixed maximum of £36k per student; or a top-up award to support additional costs that are needed to complete a fully funded PhD. The top-up awards will have a maximum value of £10k.

Find out more on the Institute of Physics website.

Specified use

This scholarship is open to applicants from underrepresented groups and is designed to encourage greater diversity in physics.

Underrepresented groups include women, students of Black-Caribbean, Black-African and other minority ethnic (BAME) heritage, students with disabilities, or who require additional funding to support inclusive learning, LGBT+ students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may struggle to find the levels of funding needed to complete their studies. People with qualifying refugee status who meet the above criteria are also encouraged to apply.

Tenable period

4 years

Continuation of award

Continuation of the award is subject to satisfactory progress.

Number available

2

Funding provider

Institute of Physics

Level(s) of study

This funding is available to students undertaking the following types of study:

  • Postgraduate research

Allowed study options

This funding is available to students undertaking the following modes of study:

  • Full-time
  • Part-time

Subject restrictions

This funding is available to students undertaking study in:

  • Physics and Astronomy

Academic requirements

To be nominated for this external scholarship you must:
  • Hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum of a 2i class UK Masters honours degree, or international equivalent, or a First Class Bachelor degree with an additional Masters degree, or international equivalent.
  • Applicants with a First Class Bachelor degree, or international equivalent, with proven research experience may also be considered.

Nationality restrictions

This funding is available to all nationalities.

Other eligibility criteria

This award is available to existing postgraduate students.

Applicants must hold an offer of study at The University of Manchester before applying for this funding.

You must fall within one of the following underrepresented groups:
  • Women
  • Students of Black-Carribean, Black-African and other minority ethnic (BAME) heritage
  • Students with disabilities, or who require additional funding to support inclusive learning
  • LGBT+ students
  • A student from disadvantaged background who may struggle to find the levels of funding needed to complete their studies
People with qualifying refugee status who meet the above criteria are also encouraged to apply.

Application procedure

This scholarship works on a nomination basis, the lead supervisor will consider you for nomination and will support you through the process. It is important that you have had significant contact with the supervisory team during the application process and that they are aware that you wish to be considered for funding. Your application will then be considered by a departmental funding panel.

In order to be considered, you must hold an academic offer for a place on one of our PhD programmes. It is therefore essential that you apply for a place on the PhD programme of your choice as early as possible.

Selection criteria

Applications to the Institute of Physics will be supported by the department.

Closing date

Contact the Institute of Physics for details.

Additional information

External Postgraduate Research Funding

Contact details for enquiries

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