Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

RSC Undergraduate Research Bursary

You will receive a grant of about 2,700 to 3,600 EUR (approximately £2,670 to £3,560) for a summer placement in the field of chemistry. The grant covers 35 hours per week at the UK minimum wage (£12.71 per hour from April 2026) over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. You can work full-time, part-time or on a flexible basis, and both laboratory-based and remote projects will be considered. The scholarship is awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the UK’s professional body for chemists, and offers you an initial insight into real research work. Travel and relocation costs, as well as laboratory materials, are not covered.

Who can apply

• Study phase: You are in the middle years of your first bachelor’s degree programme, so you are neither in your first nor your final year.
• First degree only: You must not already hold a university degree in any subject. Older students are also welcome to apply.
• Field of study: You’re studying chemistry, and your project is closely linked to chemical research.
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a higher education institution in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland for the majority of your degree programme.
• RSC membership: You are already a member of the RSC before you apply. Student membership is free and can be applied for quickly.
• No double funding: You are not receiving any funding for the same project from any other source.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are studying at a British or Irish university.
• The project: It cannot count towards your degree, must not be an expedition, and must not take place abroad for more than half the duration of the programme.

How to apply

You must apply online via the RSC portal, and your membership must be active at the time of submission. For the 2026 round, the application deadline is 9 February at 2.00 British time. First, your eligibility will be checked; your application will then be assessed by a panel of chemistry researchers. Funding decisions will be made by mid-May.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria are quite narrow: you must be studying chemistry at a British or Irish university, be in the middle years of your undergraduate degree, and be a member of the RSC. This means the pool of applicants is smaller than for open scholarships; however, only up to four projects per university are funded. The selection process takes into account your grades, the quality of the project and the support provided by your supervisor. If you clearly meet the criteria, have a competent supervisor and your project is well-designed, your chances are good.