Sources of funding for postgraduate research in ICT4D and Geography in the UK

This page has been developed to provide links to funding opportunities available for postgraduate students wishing to undertake taught courses or research programmes in ICT4D and also Geography. If you know of further links that should be added, please contact tim(at)ict4d(dot)org(dot)uk.

General sources of funding are listed first, followed by sources of partial funding, and then regionally specific ones for students from the USA, Africa, Asia, Japan, the Middle East, Latin America, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Europe and 'developing countries' in general. A final section provides links relating to studying in the UK.

About the Collective in your own language:

• AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council): funding for Master's and PhD research in the arts and humanities. Deadline May 2006
• ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council): funding for Master's and PhD research in economic and social sciences, including collaborative (CASE) awards. Deadline for main competition awards is usually May of each year. The Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, currently has 2 ESRC quota awards each year, and is also eligible to submit applications for Open Studentships. Anyone interested in applying for these, must be accepted by the Department before 1st March each year.
• NERC (Natural Environment Research Council): funding for Master's and PhD research in disciplines concerned with the Natural Environment. NERC currently only funds students through University Departments, and applications therefore need to be made direct to departments where a postgraduate wishes to study.
• ESRC/MRC (Economic and Social Research Council and Medical Research Council): special programmme to support postgraduate research at the interface between the interests of both research councils - particularly relevant for research on e-Health.

• Commonwealth Scholarships Commission
  • General Scholarships: open to Commonwealth citizens and British protected persons, permanently resident in any Commonwealth country other than the United Kingdom. Almost all awards are for taught postgraduate courses or doctoral study
  • Split-site Doctoral Scholarships: available to those studying for a PhD in a developing Commonwealth countries. The scholarships support attendance for one year at a UK university, under the joint supervision of a home country and UK supervisor
  • Scholarships by Distance Learning: The Commission is currently engaged in a pilot programme of scholarships by distance learning. The first awards are based on four specific courses in development related areas
• Shared-Scholarships scheme: the scheme is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and UK universities, to jointly support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom

Chevening Scholarships for overseas students

Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council, are prestigious awards which enable overseas students to study in the United Kingdom. Scholarships are offered in over 150 countries and enable talented graduates and young professionals to become familiar with the UK and gain skills which will benefit their countries. The Chevening programme currently provides around 2,300 new scholarships each year for postgraduate studies or research at UK Institutions of Higher Education

The British Council

• The British Council's Scholarship Site
• Education UK website, designed to help international students interested in studying for a UK course or qualification. Provides information on courses, scholarships, studying and living in the UK

The Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) provides opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide. To ensure that Fellows are drawn from diverse backgrounds, IFP actively seeks candidates from social groups and communities that lack systematic access to higher education. The International Fellowships Program provides support for up to three years of formal graduate-level study leading to a masters or doctoral degree. Fellows are selected from countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Russia, where the Ford Foundation maintains active overseas programs

UNESCO Fellowships

• Thomas Holloway Research Studentships: The Thomas Holloway Research Studentships cover tuition fees at the home rate and a maintenance award of up to £9,000 per year (amounts vary between the academic departments). They are tenable for up to three years for full-time study, or six years for part-time study with the maintenance element reduced proportionately.
• College Research Studentships: College Research Studentships cover tuition fees at the standard home rate. They are tenable for up to three years for full-time study, or six years part-time.
• Master's studentships: Master’s Studentships cover tuition fees at the home rate. They are tenable for one year full-time study, or for two years’ part-time study.
• Overseas Entrance Scholarships: The College Overseas Entrance Scholarships have a value of up to £10,000 depending on the number available in any year and the strength of the individual applicant. Depending on the level of the award, the scholarship covers some or all of the tuition fees and sometimes also a small maintenance grant. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and are payable only in the first year of registration for postgraduate study.
• Iran scholarships: In conjunction with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London, the College offers two scholarships for PhD students from Iran each year. The scholarships cover tuition and bench fees and also provide an allowance or living and travel expenses
• Pakistan, Charles Wallace Scholarships for Master's students: In conjunction with the Charles Wallace Trust, Royal Holloway offers one Charles Wallace Scholarship. The scholarship covers £2,000 of the tuition fees for a full-time taught Master’s programme. The scholarship is open to candidates from Pakistan liable to pay tuition fees at the overseas rate.
• Argentina 1994: Royal Holloway is a member of the 1994 Group of UK universities. Every two years, the 1994 Group sponsors 10 scholarships in conjunction with the YPF Foundation and the British Council in Argentina. The YPF Foundation pays for subsistence, travel to and from the UK, and half of the applicable tuition fees. The host 1994 Group university pays the remainder of the fees in the form of scholarships.
• France: Marie Souvestre Scholarship. This award will support up to four home/EU tuition fee waivers for a Master's degree or one PhD student for three years in any discipline. IT must be given to a woman of French nationality who is originally resident outside the UK. For more details contact the Graduate School.

Other sources of partial funding, particularly for aspects of research practice

• Map collections in the London area: The Harley Fellowships, named after J.B. Harley provide support for those doing postgraduate level work in map collections in the London area. Support of up to four weeks, normally at a rate of £250 per week, is available. Closing date is usually in November each year. To apply, contact Tony Campbell (t.campbell@ockendon.clara.co.uk)
• University of London Central Research Fund: The University has at its disposal Trust Funds for the purpose of making grants for specific projects of original research. Grants may cover the provision of apparatus and materials, travelling expenses and the cost of additional maintenance, i.e. the cost over and above the cost of normal maintenance at home. It is not intended in general that grants should be made for apparatus or materials that can be regarded as constituting part of the basic equipment of an institution. Funds are restricted and are not intended for major items of expenditure. Postgraduate research students registered for MPhil, PhD and Specialist Doctorate Degrees of the University are eligible to apply. The closing dates for applications for grants are 10 October 2005 for consideration during the Autumn Term and 27 March 2006 for the Summer Term.
• Wingate Scholarships: Wingate Scholarships are awarded to individuals of great potential or proven excellence who need financial support to undertake pioneering or original work of intellectual, scientific, artistic, social or environmental value, and to outstandingly talented musicians for advanced training. They are designed to help with the costs of a specific project which may last up to 3 years. The average total award is about £6,500 and the maximum in any one year is £10,000. There is no upper age limit and the Scholarship Committee welcomes applications from mature candidates and those from non-traditional backgrounds. Wingate Scholarships attempts to provide funding for cross-disciplinary projects that might not fall comfortably into any of the conventional funding categories
• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships: this program is designed to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. It sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups.
• Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers): provides a range of grants for research and fieldwork, especially relating to expeditions. Some of the RGS-IBG's various Research Groups also provide limited funding to support postgraduate research. The following awards are particularly relevant to postgraduates:
  • DARG Postgraduate Research Award: This awardis aimed at those preparing for a PhD in topics related to development studies. Applicants should be based at a British insititution of higher education, but may be of any nationality. The award must be spent on travel costs, and preference may be given to students in the early stages of their research. The award is usually £500, although smaller awards are sometimes made. Deadline usually May each year.
  • Slawson Awards: The Slawson Awards are intended to fund field research for individuals undertaking field-based research as a substantive part of their PhD research, outside the UK and preferably in developing countries. These awards are specifically to support researchers at a critical, early stage in their career and are intended to assist with travel, accommodation and local costs. The grants are not intended to cover all of the cost of the study and personal financial contributions are expected. Deadline, 17 February 2006.
  • British Airways RGS-IBG Travel Bursaries: these are offered to provide assistance to researchers undertaking tourism-related research (or fieldwork) outside the UK, and provide free flights to successful applicants (deadlines 30 September 2005 and 13 January 2006)
  • Hong Kong Research Grant: By the generosity of the Hong Kong branch of the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers), the Society offers a single research grant of up to £2,500 to postgraduate students of any nationality who intend to undertake geographical research in the Greater China region (People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Macau SAR and Hong Kong SAR). The research must be of relevance to their overall studies. The proposed research must be of more than four weeks duration and should be of an applied nature. The grants may be used to help with travel, equipment, data collection and subsistence in the field. Deadline, 2 December 2005.
  • Henrietta Hutton Research Grants: The Henrietta Hutton Memorial Fund offers research grants to female students under 25 years of age who intend to undertake field research overseas as an individual or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The field research must be of more than four weeks duration but does not necessarily have to be connected to the student’s academic studies. Two grants of £500 each are awarded annually. The intention is that one grant should go to an undergraduate and the other to a postgraduate student (Deadliine 25 January 2006).
  • Monica Cole Research Grant: The Monica Cole Research Grant is made once every three years and offers £1,000 to a female physical geographer undertaking original fieldwork overseas. There is no age qualification and both undergraduates and post-graduates are welcome to apply. Applicants should be registered at a UK Institute of Higher Education. The Grant is given in memory of Professor Monica Cole who was a former Head of the Department of Geography at Bedford College, University of London. Deadline 25 January 2007.
• The Dudley Stamp Memorial Fund provides small grants for young geographers to assist them in postgraduate research or study travel likely to lead to the advancement of geography and to international co-operation in the study of the subject
• Society for Latin American Studies: provides some support for postgraduates working in Latin American Studies. There are travel grants and funds for conference support.
• Tropical Agriculture Association: The fund makes cash awards (grants), not normally exceeding £2,000, to British citizens under the age of 30, qualified in agriculture, forestry, agroforestry, environmental science and related disciplines, to help with airfares or living costs arising from their proposed projects (paid or unpaid). These funds are normally used to supplement funds from other agencies or raised by applicants to finance training projects or project components overseas that are designed to give tropical experience to qualified young people. 
• IBM PhD Fellowships:An annual worldwide competitive programme in areas of interest to IBM, including business, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and physics, as well as emerging technical fields such as autonomic computing, nanotechnology, Grid computing, e-business on demand, and the fertile intersections of biology, computation and economics. Students should have already completed one year in a doctoral programme at the time of their nomination.
• Microsoft PhD Scholarships: The PhD Scholarship Programme recognises and supports exceptional students who show the potential to make an outstanding contribution to science and computing. This programme supports PhD students in computing and those working at the intersection of computing and the sciences.
• Nokia postgraduate scholarships - Nokia Scholarship is intended to encourage efficient, fast-progressing postgraduate studies. Nokia Scholarships are granted for individuals pursuing a doctoral degree in information or telecommunications technology or in areas supporting the development of these branches of science. Scholarship can be granted for: (i) Post-graduate studies in a Finnish university. A foreign applicant must have a commitment of the supervising professor in the receiving Finnish university;(ii) A Finnish applicant for post-graduate studies abroad. The applicant must have a commitment of the supervising professor in the receiving university;
• Mott MacDonald charitable trust
  Grants for postgraduate study in engineering technology at a UK institution. Each year about two or three grants of £9,000 each for MSc level study and a grant of £15,000 for PhD level study are made.
• Sir Richard Stapley educational trust
  Applicants for grants (normally from £300 - £1000 in value) must be: over the age of 24 on 1st October of the proposed year of study; graduates with a first or upper second class honours degree studying for a degree in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, or for a higher degree or equivalent academic qualification in any subject at a University in the United Kingdom; already resident in the UK at the time of application
• The Douglas Bomford trust
  exists to assist the development of agricultural engineering and mechanisation through support for outstanding individuals. 'Agricultural Engineering' is taken to include mobile and fixed machinery, buildings and structures, horticulture, forestry, amenity, drainage and water supplies, the environment, and various aspects of software and mathematical modelling. In summary, it includes all aspects of engineering as applied to the rural environment.
• Arkleton Trust
  The Arkleton Trust was founded in 1977, with the aims "to study new approaches to rural development and education" and to "improve understanding between rural policy makers, academics, practitioners and rural people".
  The Trust itself organises seminars and workshops, and has a series of publications. It does not make awards or give grants, but it does administer three funds
• The Ruby and Will George Trust
  The Ruby & Will George Trust offers grants two types of grant, educational and financial. Grants of up to £2000. Occasionally larger grants may be awarded, if need can be established. Educational grants relating to college fees are paid directly to the educational establishment. Occasionally assistance with maintenance, books and basic travel expenses will be awarded.
• UK eInformation Group award
  The award is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students in any UK University who are undertaking study that has significant information handling or information management content.
• UNIAID Bursary scheme
  Accommodation is the single greatest cost for students, often in excess of £2500 a year. UNIAID gives one year's free or supported accommodation to those in extreme vulnerability. We support students who are at risk of either not going, or having to leave, because of severe financial hardship.
• The National Geographic Society awards grants for scientific field research and exploration through its Committee for Research and Exploration. All proposed projects must have both a geographical dimension and relevance to other scientific fields and be of broad scientific interest.
• Antipode Graduate Student Scholarship: Graduate students in radical geography are invited to apply for this year-long award of $2000 and a complimentary 3 year subscription to Antipode.  These funds are intended to provide resources to: attend an international conference and cover additional research expenses.The successful applicant will be a current doctoral student working in any field of radical geographical scholarship. Applications are especially encouraged from the developing world and/or from those traditionally marginalised in the academy.
• Horowitz Foundation: The Foundation makes targeted grants for work in major areas of the social sciences, including anthropology, area studies, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and urban studies, as well as newer areas such as evaluation research. Preference will be given to projects that deal the contemporary issues in the social sciences and issues of policy relevance, and to scholars in the initial stages of research. Awards are not allocated so as to ensure a representative base of disciplines, but are approved solely on merit. Applicants are not required to be U.S. citizens or U.S. residents. Candidates may propose new projects, and they may also solicit support for research in progress, including final work on a dissertation, supplementing research in progress, travel funds, or preparing a work for publication. Preference will be given to advanced graduate students and untenured assistant professors and instructors.
• Newby Trust - The main focus of the trust is medical welfare, training and education and the relief of poverty. It makes grants available to support postgraduate and postdoctoral research at selected UK universities (currently City University, London, The London School of Economics & Political Science, The University of Edinburgh, and The University of Manchester).
• Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programme for High Technology: aims at developing technically qualified human resources in the IDB member countries by providing scholarships to promising and/or outstanding scholars and researchers to undertake advanced studies and/or research in the fields of applied science and technology needed for the development of the member countries
• Wenner-Gren Foundation dissertation fieldwork grants: the Foundation supports research that demonstrates a clear link to anthropological theory and debates, and promises to make a solid contribution to advancing these ideas. There is no preference for any methodology, research location, or subfield. The Foundation particularly welcomes proposals that employ a comparative perspective, can generate innovative approaches or ideas, and/or integrate two or more subfields
  

Funding specifically for women

• British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) promotes women's opportunities in education and public life. BFWG's Scholarship Fund assists women in the final year of studying for a PhD (e-mail awards@bfwg.demon.co.uk).
• International Federation of University Women:offers a limited number of fellowships and grants to women graduates for advanced research, study and training.
• The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science offers travel bursaries intended to help women attend a conference or event that will benefit their career.
• The Anne Marie Schimmel Scholarship offers the opportunity to do graduate study for up to two years in the United Kingdom to a woman who is committed to make a genuine contribution to her chosen field on her return to Pakistan.
• The Women's Leadership Scholarship program - The Women's Leadership Scholarship (WLS) program (formerly the Native Leadership Scholarship) creates educational opportunities for women activists, grassroots leaders, and organizers from the Global South and/or from indigenous groups. WLS invests in women's leadership by supporting non-doctoral graduate education in human rights, sustainable development, and public health in many places around the world.

For people from Canada wishing to undertake postgraduate research in the UK

Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund

• Girls and young women who have been denied access to education
• Children in primary schools in areas where there is on-going civil war or conflict
• Young ex-militia men who have had no education or vocational training
• Young men and women working with local organisations and NGOs in conflict situations

For people from Asia (including India and China)

The Charles Wallace Trusts
The Charles Wallace Trusts for each of the four countries of former British India -- India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and for Burma/Myanmar, to assist nationals, normally resident in those four respective countries, to obtain education or training in Britain.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation - for Indian students.
Inlaks Scholarships provide the opportunity to young people with exceptional talent in any field to broaden their vision abroad and improve their skills to operate in society, thus making them a future vehicle of change in their environment. The scholarships are of two types: university courses and specific programs.

Great-Britain China educational trust
The current policy of the Trust is to support Chinese students in Britain via the Chinese Student Awards and the study of Chinese language through the annual Chinese Language Awards. For Chinese (from the PRC inc. Hong Kong) studying for a PhD and British postgraduate students (i.e. UK citizens only) giving conference papers in China, or travelling to China to pursue essential doctoral research.

Anne Marie Schimmel Scholarship
The Anne Marie Schimmel Scholarship offers the opportunity to do graduate study for up to two years in the United Kingdom to a woman who is committed to make a genuine contribution to her chosen field on her return to Pakistan.

HSBC Scholarship - for people from India
The HSBC Scholarships Programme for people from India aims to nurture leaders around the world and help build global knowledge with the accompanying expectation that the lifelong careers of the scholarship recipients will be marked by significant contributions to the community in which they live and work. This programme is for Master’s or undergraduate level (not PhD) at Cambridge, Oxford or one of the London Universities

For people from Japan

The Canon Foundation in Europe

Annually, the Canon Foundation in Europe grants up to 15 Fellowships to young, highly qualified European and Japanese researchers, not more than 40 years and holding a doctorate or at least a Master’s degree. The European Fellowship holders pursue a period of research in Japan whereas the Japanese Fellows do their research at host institutions in Europe. The Fellowships are awarded for periods of minimum three months and maximum one year. The Fellowships are awarded regardless of discipline and existing employment positions.

For people from Latin America

European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America - the Programme Alßan is no longer functional

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For people from the Middle East and North Africa

Said Foundation

The Said Foundation provides scholarships for people from the Middle East (Iraqi, Jordanian, Lebanese, Palestinian or Syrian)

IREX small grant fund for the Middle East and North Africa

The IREX Small Grants Fund supports civil society organizations, education professionals, media, and journalists in the Middle East and North Africa. Grants will be awarded to individuals and institutions to promote the engagement of civil society in public life, the professionalism and independence of the media, and the professional development of education, media, and civil society professionals.

Arab British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) Charitable Foundation

The ABCC Charitable Foundation provides grants and some scholarships to support Arab postgraduates studying in British universities.

For French people

The Entente Cordiale Scholarships

The Entente Cordiale Scholarships are meant for outstanding students from Britain and France who wish to spend a year studying or undertaking research across the Channel.

For German people

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)

The DAAD funds the further academic and personal qualification of outstanding German students, interns and student trainees, (post)graduates, young academics and researchers. This enables successful candidates, chosen by independent academic selection committees, to complete study or research stays at the best universities around the world by awarding scholarships and grants. As far as possible and necessary, the DAAD supports these scholarship holders at their place of study or assignment and maintains contact with DAAD alumni once the funding has come to an end.

For Dutch people

Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

The Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds promotes cultural activities and nature conservation in the Netherlands, and Dutch culture abroad. It grants subsidies, awards prizes, commissions projects and grants scholarships.

Fonds voor maatschappelijke initiatieven in Nederlands (VSBfonds)

VSBfonds provides some funding for Dutch people studying abroad.

Europe

Peter Kirk European travel scholarships

Each year up to twelve Peter Kirk travel scholarships are awarded to promote understanding of Europe amongst young Britons, and of Britain amongst young people from other European countries. They enable young people aged between 18 and 27 to carry out a study project of their own choice in another European country.

Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme in Turkey

The Jean Monnet Scholarship grants provide an opportunity to Turkish young professionals in the public and private sector and university students to study for up to one year at postgraduate level in one of the Member States of the European Union

For people from 'developing countries'

The Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July. The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but is also willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, when doctoral degrees are necessary for the career objectives of the student.

International Student House Bursary

International Students House offers a number of Residential Scholarships including, the Bill Murray Scholarship, African Students Scholarship, and our general Residential Scholarships. They also offer a number of scholarships in partnership with several London Universities. For people from developing countries.

• Association of Commonwealth Universities
• The British Council
• Education UK website
• The Council for International Education (UKCOSA)
• The Educational Grants Advisory Service