University of Birmingham - Postgraduate Research Support Fund

What the Postgraduate Research Support Fund covers

During your research studies at the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham, you will receive financial support towards the costs of your research and conference travel. This may cover travel and accommodation costs for conferences or research trips, as well as day-to-day research expenses such as photocopying and books. The College administers this fund for its own PhD students. It is a contribution towards your costs whilst you are studying, not a scholarship (a regular living allowance) or a study grant. A fixed maximum amount is not published.

Who can apply

• Level: You are currently enrolled as a PhD student or a Master’s student on a research programme.
• College: You are enrolled at the Faculty of Humanities and Law. The range of subjects on offer includes, amongst others, languages and cultures, history, English, philosophy, theology and religious studies, music, art history and law.
• Enrolment status: You are already enrolled as a PhD student. This is not an entry-level or admission scholarship.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Please complete the college’s application form. If your project involves travel, please also submit a brief risk assessment. In the case of low-risk travel, you and your supervisor can usually sign off on this yourselves. There are two application rounds per academic year: one in the autumn (deadline around mid-November) and one in the new year (deadline around mid-February).

How realistic are your chances?

This fund is aimed exclusively at students who are already enrolled at a university college, so the pool of applicants is small and clearly defined. If, as a research student at the College of Arts and Law, you do indeed incur costs for conferences or fieldwork, this is a routine internal grant for which you have a good chance of being awarded funding. If possible, apply in the first round, as there are only two application deadlines per year.