University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom) - Carnegie Vacation Scholarships

Benefit

You will receive a living allowance of approximately 886 EUR per week (£441,, based on the Scottish living wage of £12.60 per hour for a 35-hour week) to carry out your own summer research project. The projects last between 4 and 12 weeks – usually around 9 weeks – and take place between mid-May and the end of August. The weeks do not need to be consecutive, and part-time work is possible. You will design and carry out a small research project yourself: laboratory work, fieldwork, visits to archives or libraries, interviews or surveys, under the supervision of an academic tutor. The aim is to provide you with genuine research experience to prepare you for further study or the job market. Some scholarship holders subsequently publish their findings or present them at conferences. The scholarship is awarded by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

Eligibility

• Where you study: You are a bachelor’s degree student at one of the 18 eligible Scottish educational institutions. These include several Scottish universities, as well as the Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Scotland’s Rural College.
• Where you live: You were permanently resident in Scotland before you began your studies. You must also have attended secondary school or a further education college in Scotland for at least two years, or be able to demonstrate a close connection to Scotland through residence, education, family or work.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided they hold a work permit for the UK.
• Study stage: You are in the penultimate year of your degree: in the 3th year of a 4-year degree programme, or in the 3rd or 4th year of a 5-year degree programme, or in the 2th year of a 3-year degree programme. You will not be graduating this summer.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines, from the natural sciences and engineering to the arts and humanities.
• Financial need: You live in a low-income household. The foundation carries out a means test, for which income thresholds apply, such as £30,000 for a single person without children and £35,000 for a couple, plus £5,000 for each child.
• Grades: You have a strong academic record; a grade point average of 2:2 or higher is expected.
• Once only: You have never received a Carnegie holiday grant.

Please note: The costs of materials, equipment and overheads are covered by your university, not by the scholarship.

How to apply

First, find a tutor, lecturer or professor who is willing to supervise your project. Then use the eligibility checker on the Carnegie Trust website and, provided you meet the requirements, complete the online form. You should complete your section first; your supervisor will then be asked by email to add theirs. The deadline is 01.03. There is no interview. The decision is based on your written application, your supervisor’s statement, and the quality and feasibility of your project.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must be a low-income student at a specific Scottish higher education institution, be in a specific year of study, and have a genuine connection to Scotland. This keeps the pool of applicants small. If you clearly meet these criteria and put forward a strong, original project idea supported by a committed supervisor, your chances are good. It is also advantageous to secure a supervisor at an early stage.