Chapman Bequest - Henry Charles Chapman Junior Research Fellowship

Henry Charles Chapman Fellowship

You will receive up to 4,700 EUR (up to 4,000 GBP) for a research visit of between 3 and 12 months at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London. In addition to the funding, you will be provided with a desk in a shared office, unrestricted access to the Senate House Library and the Institute’s own Commonwealth collections, as well as a place within an active research community. The Institute of Commonwealth Studies is part of the School of Advanced Study at the University of London. It funds the fellowship every two years from a bequest intended to support research into Commonwealth affairs.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You are academic staff at a university – that is, a researcher or lecturer – and not a first-year student.
• Where you work: Your university can be located anywhere in the world, including all Commonwealth countries.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Field: Your work focuses on the social sciences or recent history (of the 20 century) and deals with topics relating to Commonwealth countries other than the United Kingdom. This includes fields such as history, law, politics, international relations, economics, anthropology, sociology and gender studies.
• Fit with the Institute: Your topic aligns with the current research interests of a member of staff at the institute.

How to apply

Please send an application form, a recent CV, two references and a brief description of your proposed research project to the Institute’s Head of Administration. The scholarship, which enables a funded research stay, is advertised every two years. You will receive a response approximately two months after the application deadline.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is presented only once every two years to a single individual, so competition is fierce. The narrow focus on research relating to the Commonwealth limits the field of candidates. You’ll have the best chance of success if your topic clearly aligns with the current interests of a member of staff at the Institute – so be sure to explicitly highlight this connection in your application.