charities for phd funding

• FindAMasters
• Postgraduate Funding from Charities

Written by Ben Taylor

Charities come in all shapes and sizes, and can be a great source of funding for prospective postgraduates. Whether you’re looking to ‘top up’ your existing finances with a small charity grant or seeking more significant funding , there are plenty of postgraduate funding charities out there – sometimes in the most unlikely of places!

This page will give you an idea of the breadth of postgraduate funding available from charities, pointing you in the direction of useful resources and suggesting some tips for making a successful application.

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Postgraduate charity funding resources.

It’s not always particularly easy to find Masters funding from charities if you don’t know where to look. Many sources of support often come from small organisations with a minimal online presence – if at all.

Luckily, there are several places to begin your search. We’ve listed a few useful resources below:

Turn2us is a national charity that runs a database of charitable grants across the country. They make it easy for you to search this database and to find out what funding you might be eligible for.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

Co-written by two former PhD students with experience of self-funding, this guide offers a look at less well-trodden ways of funding your studies. Many universities subscribe to the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding , which provides practical advice and application tips, as well as a searchable database of over 1,000 grants.

You can find out more from one of the co-authors in his guide to alternative Masters funding , written for FindAMasters.

The Grants Register

Published annually, the Grants Register is a directory of information on over 3,500 awarding bodies. Unfortunately, it’s only available in the form of a book, and isn’t online. However, universities and local libraries will often have a copy of the publication.

Large charitable trusts

When you first think of charities, you might think of small-scale, cash-strapped organisations. And, while this may be the case for some of the associations you come across, it’s certainly not true for several major sources of charity funding for postgraduate students: trusts and foundations .

The Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust is a global organisation with an endowment of over £20 billion. It focuses on biomedical research but also offers funding opportunities for humanities and social sciences projects that are related to health.

The Leverhulme Trust

Established in 1925, the Leverhulme Trust is another research-centric trust with a broad remit covering the Arts, Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. Most of its funding is aimed at relatively established researchers, but it’s always worth checking to see if there’s a scheme positioned for prospective Masters students.

The Nuffield Foundation

The Nuffield Foundation aims to fund research that will improve social policy in the areas of education, justice and welfare. The majority of its funding is set aside for research projects rather than Masters student grants, but it’s worth checking to see if you’re eligible for any support.

Small charities

It’s important not to overlook the thousands of small charities that operate across the UK. Even though their educational grants might not be as substantial as those provided by larger bodies, they can be a valuable source of funding for postgrads hoping to top up their finances.

If you try really hard, you might even be able to fund your entire degree using small grants from charities (just ask Luke from the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding ).

Although it would be impossible to list all of them (after all, that’s the job of the Grants Register and Turn2us ), we thought it would be useful to show you how diverse these organisations are. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover that you’re eligible for a Masters grant from a charity you didn’t know existed!

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

This charity offers postgraduate bursaries to students who are the child, spouse, widow or widower of a travelling sales representative, pharmacist or grocer (or employed as one themselves). Please note that this is a separate organisation to the Leverhulme Trust mentioned above (although both were established by the Will of the same man, William Hesketh Lever).

Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

If you can prove that you’re descended from one of the signers of the American declaration of independence, you could receive a scholarship from this organisation.

The Vegetarian Charity

The Vegetarian Charity offers small grants to young vegetarians and vegans.

The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust

The Stapley Trust provides grants of between £550 and £1,250 for UK-based students taking higher postgraduate degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas in any subject, or Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine as a second degree.

The Leathersellers’ Company

You don’t have to be a leatherseller to receive a scholarship from the Leathersellers’ Company ! Their educational awards are open to all UK students on full-time degrees (apart from postgraduate conversion courses).

Clan Forsyth Society

If you play your cards right (and happen to have Forsyth as a surname), you could apply for a small grant from the Clan Forsyth Society .

Masters funding

Know more about how to fund a Masters from the kinds of postgraduate loans available to crowdfunding your Masters degree.

Applications for postgraduate charity funding

No two applications for charity funding will be the same. However, there are some general rules and tips that you should bear in mind when applying for a charitable grant for a postgraduate course.

Most charities will ask that you submit a short personal statement detailing your circumstances and describing a little about yourself. You should make sure to read their specifications very carefully for what they want this statement to cover, but these tips are a good place to start:

• Avoid jargon – Assume that you’re writing for a well-educated audience without a background in your discipline. Try not to use too many technical terms.
• Financial situation – Explain why you’re in need of support from a charity and what your funding deficit is.
• Other support – If you’ve already received an award from a charity, be sure to mention this – it’ll show that you’re committed to financing your studies. Charities often prefer to be part of a support network rather than the sole source of funding for a student.
• Tone of voice – Be humble but positive about your prospects.
• Societal benefits – If your programme will benefit the wider community, mention this in your statement.
• Career path – Explain what you want to do after you’ve finished your Masters, and how a postgraduate qualification will help you achieve this. Make sure that the charity knows that you’re not simply studying a Masters for the sake of it, but with a tangible destination in mind.

When applying for postgraduate funding from a smaller charity – perhaps one without an established online presence – it would be wise to contact them in advance , double-checking that you’re eligible and that they’re currently accepting applications.

If you’re rejected, (politely!) ask the charity for the reasons behind your rejection and incorporate any feedback into your next application.

It’s a good idea to think of charity funding as a ‘portfolio’, combining lots of small pots of money to make a substantial source of financial support for your Masters. Portfolio funding , as this is known, requires plenty of organisation and dedication, but can be a viable option for resourceful postgraduates.

Persistence is key : try not to be disheartened by a lack of success and bear in mind that you may end up sending a lot of applications. It’s a good idea to cast your net far and wide, knowing that perseverance is usually rewarded.

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Ben worked in the FindAMasters content team from 2017 to 2022, starting as an Assistant Content Writer and leaving as Student Content Manager. He focused on producing well-researched advice across a range of topics related to postgraduate study. Ben has a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield and a Masters from the University of Amsterdam. Having also spent a semester at the University of Helsinki through the Erasmus programme, he’s no stranger to study abroad (or cold weather!).

The average cost of a UK Masters degree is £8,740, but fees vary by course and university, with some programmes costing more than others.

A simple guide to student loans, university scholarships, charitable grants and other postgraduate funding.

Need help understanding Masters scholarships in the UK? We discuss the different types on offer and provide some handy postgrad funding application tips for 2024.

Our guide explains the different postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK, as well as overseas eligibility for Masters loans.

This guide covers countries around the world that charge no tuition fees (or very low fees!) for international students, as well as any other costs you should take into account.

Our detailed guides cover Masters degree fees and funding in popular study destinations around the world.

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6 Ways You Can Fund Your PhD

Stephanie Lukins

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Table of contents

• Introduction

Research council grant

Postgraduate loan, employer sponsorship, studentship, crowdfunding, discover more studentships on offer at lse.

Sponsored by LSE

Studying a PhD is an exciting and extremely rewarding venture. Whether it’s for personal development, professional development, or both, a PhD can have a life-changing impact, but it also comes with its own challenges. However, thinking of ways to fund it, shouldn’t be one of them.

Some PhD students consider taking on part-time work, but after dedicating 40 hours a week to studies, you’ll want to relax, socialize and have some time away from the library and books to clear your mind, instead. Even though there’s no right or wrong way to go about funding a PhD, it does pay to be realistic and well-informed, so make sure you do your research first to find the best way for you.

Crowdfunding, employer funding and postgraduate loans are just some of the popular ways to help fund PhD studies, in addition to studentships and research council grants , which, in the world of academia, are sometimes considered ‘the golden ticket’. Read on to discover more ways you can fund a PhD.

Research council grants should be your first port of call when seeking any form of PhD funding if you’re from the UK or EU. They’re non-repayable, and normally cover your three or four years of studying. Depending on the study program, and academic performance, the ESRC DTP Studentships offered at LSE can cover either three or four years of your five or six-year PhD program.

The PhD Academy based in LSE’s library building, is a dedicated innovative hub space for PhD students to socialize and study. It’s also home to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) where PhD students at LSE are offered additional academic professional development and training.

Recently introduced for the 2018-19 academic year for UK nationals, and EU national students who reside in the UK, the PhD postgraduate loan is worth up to £25,000 (~US$32,467). Much like a master’s loan, you can borrow any amount up to £25,000, regardless of your financial background.

If you’re able to show your employer that studying a PhD will not just benefit you, but them and the company as well, they may offer you some form of employer sponsorship. To help make your case as strong as possible, you should outline what you plan to study, how long for, the cost, and above all else, exactly why you want to study a PhD and the impact it will have on your employer. This demonstrates your commitment and understanding of what you’re asking your employer to do for you, as well as what you’ll be doing for them. 

A studentship is the name most commonly used for PhD scholarships. They’re a popular form of funding for PhD students across the world, supporting students from any country, with many universities offering a number of studentships to help ease the financial pressure.

Traditionally, studentships are more common in science, technology, engineering and medicine subjects (STEM). However, PhD students at London School of Economics (LSE), have the chance to be awarded one of around 100 studentships, from its LSE PhD Studentships and LSE ESRC DTP Studentships .

For some students, receiving a PhD Studentship is the difference between being able to pursue a PhD, or not. Katherine Furman, a current MPhil/PhD Philosophy student at LSE was awarded the LSE PhD Studentship. She told us: "I received an LSE PhD Studentship, which covers both my tuition and living expenses. It was a huge honor to receive funding from such a prestigious institution and without this support it would have been impossible for me to pursue my PhD."

Tamlyn Monson, a Sociology PhD graduate at LSE, told us of how a studentship helped her: “The LSE PhD Scholarship gave me the freedom to fully concentrate on the demanding final stage of my graduate study.”

The PhD Studentships offered at LSE, cover full fees, with an annual stipend of £18,000.

Asking your family and friends, and even strangers to help support your PhD studies may feel a little extreme, but you shouldn’t rule it out. You’ll need to be able to market yourself well, and explain why people should part with their money to help fund something that benefits you.  

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If you know where to look, certain charities may help provide funding for your PhD. Although these organizations are unlikely to be able to cover everything, you can combine multiple sources of funds from charities, and incorporate it into what’s known as ‘portfolio funding’. Students at LSE can access the ‘ Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online ’ database for free, which helps source alternative funding opportunities (especially from charities).

As well as PhD Studentships and LSE ESRC DTP Studentships, there’s also department-specific funding available at LSE. Eligibility and application processes can vary widely, so it’s best to check with each individual program to be sure.

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As the former Head of Sponsored Content for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Stephanie created and published a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. She attended the University of Portsmouth where she earned a BA in English Language and an MA in Communication and Applied Linguistics.

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Current Funding Opportunities

Application deadlines.

Application Opens: September 16 Deadline for Submission: November 15

American Fellowships

The American Fellowship program began in 1888, a time when women were discouraged from pursuing an education. It is AAUW’s largest fellowship program and the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States.

These fellowships support women scholars pursuing full-time study to complete dissertations, conduct postdoctoral research, or prepare research for publication over eight consecutive weeks. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Candidates are evaluated on scholarly excellence, project quality and originality, and their commitment to advancing women and girls through community service, their professions, or research fields.

Career Development Grants

Career Development Grants supports the career progression of women by funding to women preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce. Primary consideration is given to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in education, health and medicine, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and social sciences. Grants are available to support full-time or part-time coursework such as a second bachelor’s or first master’s degree, a certification program, or specialized training in these fields.

Community Action Grants

Community Action Grants provide funding to AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as community-based nonprofits for programs that promote education and equity for women and girls.

Since 1972, AAUW has provided support to hundreds of communities across the United States.

International Fellowships

AAUW’s International Fellowship Program promotes education and equity for women by investing in international applicants who will be pursuing postgraduate studies in the U.S., with the intention of applying their expertise, professional skills and leadership in the context of their home countries. In addition, up to 6 awards are available to Graduate Women International ( see the list of GWI affiliates ) members for study in any country other than their own. The International Fellowship Program is specifically designed for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a track record of academic excellence and empowering other women and girls. The Program has been supporting international women pursuing full-time postgraduate studies in the United States since 1917.

International Project Grants

AAUW International Fellows continue their commitment to empowering women and girls even after completing their U.S. education — and often still need financial support.

To foster lasting impact, AAUW awards grants to International Fellowship alumnae who return home. These grants help alumnae apply their academic knowledge to community-based projects that improve the lives of women and girls.

Our International Fellowship and Project Grant alumnae directly address women’s equity issues, from securing property rights for widows to creating safe workspaces for cassava production, supporting vulnerable yet resilient community members.

Selected Professions Fellowships

Selected Professions Fellowships support women pursuing full-time study in designated fields with historically low female participation at accredited U.S. institutions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Established in 1970 with a $25,000 grant from the Max C. Fleischmann Foundation, these fellowships initially focused on opening opportunities for women in law and medicine. Over time, the focus expanded to science and technology due to the increasing demand for a skilled, yet underrepresented, female workforce.

Fellowships are awarded for master’s programs in:

• Architecture
• Computer/Information Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics/Statistics

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How to Apply for Funding

This page explains our grant evaluation process and lists opportunities to apply for funding from our programs.

Table of Contents

1. can i apply for a grant.

In general, we expect to identify most giving opportunities via proactive searching and networking.

We expect to fund very few proposals that come to us via unsolicited contact . As such, we have no formal process for accepting such proposals and may not respond to inquiries. (Note that we do not accept any unsolicited proposals for work related to Immigration Policy or Macroeconomic Stabilization Policy.)

If you would like to suggest that we consider a grant — whether for your project or someone else’s — please  contact us . We publish a good deal of information on the types of work we seek to fund and why. We recommend reviewing this information before contacting us. A good starting point is our list of focus areas . We also encourage potential Farm Animal Welfare grant applicants to read this guide .

2. Opportunities for funding

While we almost never fund unsolicited proposals, we do run programs that solicit funding requests from individuals, groups, and organizations. If any of these sound like a good fit, we strongly encourage you to apply!

2.1 The University Organizer Fellowship

This fellowship provides funding for individuals who want to direct or support university student groups focused on topics relevant to reducing global catastrophic risks or otherwise improving the long-term future, including effective altruism, longtermism, rationality, or specific cause areas. Individuals are eligible for funding at any university and may apply without a particular university in mind.

See the  full post  for the application link and more details on the program. There is no application deadline; we will assess applications on a rolling basis.

2.2 Career development and transition funding

This program aims to provide support – in the form of funding for graduate study, unpaid internships, self-study, career transition and exploration periods, and other activities relevant to building career capital – for individuals at any career stage who want to pursue careers that could help to reduce global catastrophic risks or otherwise improve the long-term future.

See the  full post for the application link and more details on the program. Applications are open until further notice and will be assessed on a rolling basis.

2.3 Request for proposals for projects to grow our capacity for reducing global catastrophic risks

We are seeking proposals for two kinds of projects:

• Programs that engage with young people who seem well-suited to building aptitudes that will help them to reduce global catastrophic risks or otherwise improve the long-term future.
• Programs that share high-quality, nuanced content related to reducing global catastrophic risks or otherwise improving the long-term future with a wide audience.

You can apply to create a project or seriously explore an idea. If you aren’t interested in starting something yourself, you can also apply as a potential collaborator on someone else’s project.

See the  full post  for application links and more details on the program. There is no application deadline; we will assess applications on a rolling basis.

2.4 Course development grants

This program aims to provide support to academics for the development of university courses (including online courses) on a range of topics related to Open Philanthropy’s work to reduce global catastrophic risks. While we are primarily looking to fund new courses, we are also accepting proposals from applicants who want to convert in-person courses into freely-available online courses.

2.5 Funding for the translation of web content related to AI safety, global catastrophic risks, effective altruism and adjacent topics

We’re interested in helping more people find high-quality content — books, blog posts, papers, podcasts, videos, articles, etc. — on topics relevant to reducing global catastrophic risks or otherwise improving the long-term future. These include broad topics like effective altruism, global catastrophic risks, longtermism, and rationality, as well as object-level content on cause areas like AI alignment and governance, biosecurity, animal welfare, global health, and so on.

A lot of content like this is only available in English or a few other world languages. This limits how many people it can reach. For this reason, we’d like to fund work that leads to EA-related content getting translated from English into other languages.

We’re looking for individuals or teams working on this full-time as part of an ambitious project.

See this post for more details, and apply using this form . There is no application deadline; we will assess applications on a rolling basis.

2.6 Request for proposals: AI governance

We are looking to fund work across six subject areas related to AI governance: technical AI governance, policy development, frontier company policy, international AI governance, law, and strategic analysis and threat modeling.

Anyone is eligible to apply, including those working in academia, nonprofits, industry, or independently. We will evaluate expressions of interest on a rolling basis. 

See this page for the application link and more details on the RFP.

2.7 Funding for work that builds capacity to address risks from transformative AI

We’re interested in funding capacity-building projects aimed at addressing risks from advanced AI. By “capacity-building”, we mean projects that: 

• Including people from academic or professional fields outside computer science or machine learning.
• Support existing talent in this field (e.g. via events that help build professional networks).
• Contribute to the discourse about transformative AI and its possible effects, positive and negative.

See the full post for the application link and more details on the program. There is no application deadline; we will assess applications on a rolling basis.

2.8 Funding for programs and events on global catastrophic risk, effective altruism, and other topics

We’re seeking to fund programs and events in a variety of areas of interest to Open Philanthropy — including effective altruism, global catastrophic risks, biosecurity, AI for epistemics, forecasting, and other areas. We’re open to funding programs or events aimed at individuals at any career stage, and with a wide range of potential purposes, including teaching new skills, providing new career opportunities, offering mentorship, or facilitating networking.

2.9 General application: Global Catastrophic Risks Capacity Building

If you’d like to apply for funding from Open Philanthropy’s Global Catastrophic Risk Capacity Building (GCRCB) team and don’t fit one of the other programs on this page, fill out this form .

3. What is your process for evaluating potential grants?

Our process for evaluating potential grants is evolving, and it varies quite a bit from case to case.

When we are considering a grant, one of our staff will serve as the primary investigator and contact person for the potential grantee. This person will explain the process we intend to follow for evaluating the particular grant and answer any questions. In general, our process involves the following:

• The investigator will have one or more initial conversations with the potential grantee, to get a basic picture of the case for the grant.
• The investigator will aim to answer key questions about the grant, through a mix of conversations with the potential grantee, requests for written materials, and conversations with others. The depth with which we investigate potential grants varies; it will be higher for grants that are larger and/or likely to require more involvement from our staff.
• The investigator will write up their view of the case for the grant, so that they can discuss it internally and come to a decision.
• Grants typically will be recommended to the Open Philanthropy Project fund, an advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. In some cases, we make grants directly from the Open Philanthropy Project 501(c)(3) or make recommendations to Good Ventures, the Open Philanthropy Action Fund (a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization), or to other entities.
• Throughout the process, the investigator will aim to keep the grantee posted on the likelihood of receiving a grant, the likely timeline, and the likely amount of investigation that will be needed.

4. Do you require grantees to share information publicly? Are you willing to keep some information confidential?

We seek to share a significant amount of information about our work, and the work we support, publicly. All else equal, we prefer making grants about which we can share more information.

With that said, we aim to balance our commitment to information-sharing with our commitment to maximizing our impact and building strong and productive partnerships. That means:

• We never share private information from another organization or individual without permission.
• We share drafts of our grant writeups (upon request) and blog posts with the people and organizations discussed therein and invite their suggestions.
• We work with our partners to make key information public without unnecessarily undermining their work.
• We write more thoroughly about major decisions and grants than minor ones.
• If we encountered an outstanding giving opportunity where the costs of information sharing significantly outweighed the benefits, we would fund the opportunity and refrain from discussing it. But because we believe the benefits of information sharing are substantial, we would set the bar accordingly high.

Privacy Overview

• PhD Studentships
• Funding a PhD
• Studentships are scholarships awarded to PhD students, with funding provided by either a Research Council , university , private body or research charity .
• Most studentships are linked to a specific research project or a field of study .
• Can either be partially funded (covering fees only) or fully funded (covering fees and providing an allowance for living costs – the stipend).
• Universities commonly require candidates to have a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree; a relevant Masters degree may be useful for a successful applicant but not essential.
• Most studentships don’t allow other sources of funding e.g. bursaries or PhD loans.

What Are PhD Studentships?

A studentship is a non-repayable scholarship available to PhD students to support their doctoral studies. At a minimum, all studentships will cover a student’s tuition fee, however they may also cover the student’s living expenses (referred to as a stipend or maintenance grant) depending on the specific type of studentship awarded.

Who Are They Awarded By?

The most common source of PhD funding is through a Research Council, in which a studentship is awarded in the form of a Research Council Grant . In the UK, there are seven Research Councils as listed below:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Collectively, these councils form part of a government body known as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which provide funding to PhD students to advance research. UKRI aims to provide the best environment for research and innovation to thrive by working in collaboration with universities, research organisations, companies, charities and governments.

The second most common source of studentships is directly from universities in the form of scholarships and bursaries . Although not always the case, studentships provided by universities are often linked to a specific project title or field of study and may also be linked at least in part to Research Council funding. This means that you must undertake a PhD project in a specific pre-determined subject area in order to meet the eligibility criteria for funding.

The other source of studentships is through professional bodies (e.g. Institution of Mechanical Engineers) and research charities (e.g. Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK). These studentships are known as Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE). In nearly all cases, CASE studentships are also linked to a specific project title or field of study.

How Much Funding Can I Receive?

A successful applicant may receive two types of studentships: partially funded and fully funded . Partially funded studentships typically cover the cost of a student’s tuition fees and possibly any associated project costs. This can include aspects such as training courses and travelling for meetings and conferences, though the exact scope of what’s included differs for each studentship.

Although tuition fees vary depending on university, the indicative fee is £4,500/year as stated by the UKRI for UK students.

A fully funded studentship covers the same aspects of a partially funded studentship, however, in addition to this, it also provides a tax-free  maintenance grant to cover the student’s cost of living . This maintenance grant is more commonly referred to as an annual stipend  and looks to provide enough additional funding that the student need not look for part-time work to pay for their living costs whilst undertaking their PhD. It should be noted stipends provided by Research Councils will need to meet a nationally agreed minimum level; for 2021/22, this minimum level has been set as £15,609 . Living costs do of course vary between cities and it’s something you should factor in when planning your budget. Most universities do offer students the opportunity to earn a little extra money (e.g. by teaching undergraduates) to supplement your stipend.

Am I Eligible for a PhD Studentship?

The eligibility requirements differ between studentships, however, most will require the following in order to be eligible for financial support:

• A Bachelors degree with a 2:1 or above
• A relevant Masters degree

There may also be some restrictions which deem you non-eligible for a studentship. These are commonly:

• If you already hold a doctoral degree
• If you receive funding from another source e.g. a doctoral loan

As the requirements differ for each studentship, there may be some further requirements or restrictions in addition to the above. For example, some studentships restrict how many hours of paid employment you can undertake alongside your PhD and some are limited to students fitting certain criteria e.g. coming from a low-income household or being of a certain ethnicity.

Therefore, make sure you read the descriptions of any studentship carefully and in full before making any decisions.

Note: Being eligible for a PhD studentship does not guarantee you one. With exception to a few, all studentships are awarded based on ability, therefore, funding will be awarded to the best PhD applicants applying for the studentships.

UK PhD studentships are now typically only open to UK students , with fewer being available to EU and international students. One of the key reasons for this are the higher tuition fees that students outside the UK will need to pay. Some universities may offer EU/international students studentships if they are able to cover the additional fee costs themselves. However, even if you are an EU student, you still may be limited to only a partially funded studentship meaning only your fees will be covered, so it is important to be clear on what you’re eligible for and the deadline for applications. For further clarification, see the table below:

How Do I Apply for a PhD Studentship?

The application process can be initiated in one of two ways. First, some universities will automatically consider you for a studentship when they receive your application to undertake a PhD. For example, Nottingham Trent University specifies the below as their arrangements:

The NTU Doctoral School will treat your online form as an application form for a place to study for an MPhil/PhD doctoral research degree at Nottingham Trent University, as well as a funding application for the 2020 Nottingham Trent University PhD Studentship Scheme.

Second, some universities will require you to submit a separate funding application form. If you are required to submit a separate application, these are usually made directly to university regardless of the source of the funding body i.e. a Research Council or professional body. This is because although the studentship funding may be provided from a non-academic body, as the academic institute hosting the PhD project, the university will be responsible for assessing candidates and selecting the most suitable one. Be mindful that these may come with a strict application deadline.

If you are required to submit a separate application, you will typically be asked for:

• Your PhD application form
• A research proposal
• A cover letter
• Your references

Upon receiving your application, the PhD supervisor will likely have an informal discussion with you, either by email, over the phone or in person. In some cases, you may be invited in for a formal interview .

Regardless of which of the two situations occurs, the potential supervisor will use the discussion alongside your application to determine whether you should be awarded the PhD programme and studentship. Following their decision, they will get in touch with you to let you know the outcome.

It’s worth noting that in some cases, the potential supervisor may decide that you are suitable to undertake the PhD project but are not the strongest candidate who has applied across all PhDs within their department. If this is the case and the studentship is linked to a research topic as opposed to the specific project title you are applying for, you may be offered the PhD opportunity but not the studentship. If this occurs, you will need to consider your alternative PhD funding options, such as funding it yourself or obtaining a PhD loan, before making your decision.

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Funding the Future for Women

Grants, bursaries and fellowships available for women graduates studying in great britain.

Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) is an educational charity whose objective is promoting the higher education and wider learning of women graduates. We do this by awarding grants to assist with the living expenses of women postgraduate students, typically in the final year of work towards a PhD or equivalent degree.

“It is no exaggeration to say that I would not have made it through last year without the FfWG grant.” Armi Bayot University of Oxford 2020

A corporate partnership with Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) could bring real benefits to your business through appropriate publicity and positive contacts with some of the most talented women at British universities. It would also help us to maintain or expand the level of our annual grant budget.

We are a subsidiary of the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)

The Charity is a subsidiary of the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) with which its history is richly entwined. BFWG itself also promotes research by women graduates in the final year of a PhD, or completing postdoctoral research, by the provision of BFWG Scholarships (Academic Awards).

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Charity & Alternative Funding

Alternative Funding

Search for alternative funding for your postgraduate course. We list charities and trusts that award funding each year to students from different countries and backgrounds. They offer grants to investigate and research specialist subject areas, as well as support to individual high performing students that have excellent academic achievement.

Choose a charity

Choose disciplines, choose region, choose charity, architecture - phd.

Architects and the designers of our surroundings are the driving force behind the design of our built environment. Whether they are designing new buil...

Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship

Chartered Institute of Building

Sir Ian Dixon was CIOB’s President from 1989 to 1990 and head of Willmott Dixon. He was an enthusiastic supporter of innovation and education within t...

British Marshall

British Schools and Universities Foundation

The Application for the 2022 Marshall Scholarship is now closed. The Application form for the 2023 competition will be available in early June 2022 Fo...

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Research Grants

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Grants are available to anyone wishing to undertake high quality research relating to Scotland’s past Grants are made available annually on a competit...

Harpur Trust

Each year we give a small number of grants to individuals who live in Bedford Borough. This programme aims to significantly improve the financial ...

Whitworth Scholarship Awards

Whitworth Scholarships Trust Fund

The Whitworth Scholarship Awards are all about enabling outstanding engineers, who have excellent academic and practical skills and the qualities need...

Sainsbury Management Fellowships

Royal Academy of Engineering

The Sainsbury Management Fellowship Scheme funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, enables engineers of high career potential to undertake full ti...

Croucher Scholarships

Croucher Foundation

The Croucher Foundation is a private endowment set up in 1979 and permanently domiciled in Hong Kong, with the objective of promoting excellence in th...

Tan Kah Kee Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

Tan Kah Kee Foundation

The Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship (TKKPS) was first offered by the Foundation in 1983, and is open annually to students of all races pursuing t...

Small Grant Scheme on Pandemics, Cities, Regions & Industry

Regional Studies Association

Within these unprecedented times, the Regional Studies Association (RSA) is committed to supporting the global community and the research in regional ...

Women in Business Scholarships

Zonta International Foundation

Scholarship description Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they s...

British Heart Foundation non-clinical PhD Studentship

British Heart Foundation

To allow talented students to complete a PhD in cardiovascular science in an established research institution in the UK. Entry requirements – Aw...

George Fentham Birmingham Charity

Each year the Trust receives many more applications than it is able to support. The Trustees give priority to those students who are most in need, so ...

Tropical Biology Association

TBA supports conservation projects that strengthen the proficiency of our alumni and alumni groups in natural resource management and research. The pr...

Whitworth Senior Scholarship Awards

The Whitworth Senior Scholarship Awards were established to offer an enhanced level of financial reward for postgraduate research. The awards are to a...

Social Work Bursaries

NHS Business Services Authority

Postgraduate social work students can apply for a bursary to help them with their living costs. If you’re eligible for a bursary we’ll also pay a cont...

J N Tata Endowment Scholarships

Tata Trusts

The JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians has been helping Indian students since 1892 with loan scholarships for higher studies. Peopl...

HM Hubbard Law Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded annually; and are open to trainee or qualified solicitors in England and Wales, who meet the criteria set out in the ne...

Diabetes UK PhD studentship

Diabetes UK

To enable experienced researchers to recruit outstanding science graduates to study for a PhD in the field of diabetes-related research. Applications ...

Wadsworth International Fellowships

Wenner-Gren Foundation

The Wadsworth International Fellowships are intended to provide support for students undertaking study leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degre...

British Lebanese Association Scholarship Fund

British Lebanese Association

The Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 and since then has helped many young Lebanese to pursue post graduate studies and training in the UK givi...

Anatomical Society Research Studentships

Anatomical Society

Anatomical Society Research Studentships 2024/25 The Anatomical Society offers a limited number of Research Studentships, normally held in University ...

Dissertation Fieldwork Grants

Dissertation Fieldwork Grants are awarded to aid doctoral or thesis research. The program contributes to the Foundation’s overall mission to support ...

Journalism Diversity Fund

National Council for the Training of Journalists

The Journalism Diversity Fund can only award bursaries to those hoping to study on an NCTJ-accredited course. To apply, you must be able to demonstrat...

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External scholarships

There are many external funding opportunities for postgraduate study.

We have compiled a list of the most notable funds and useful links, tailored to your region.

Each external funding body will have a separate application process and deadline. These may differ from the deadlines for University funding . Take note of these and contact the funder directly if you have any questions. 

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

Popular database of alternative funding opportunities from charities and trusts. Applicants can email  [email protected]  for an access pin. 

British Council

Country-specific funding and funding opportunities for international students.

European Funding Guide

Scholarships and grants for European students.

FindAMasters  and  FindAPhD

Both of these award £12,000 in scholarships to prospective students each year.

The Grants Register  (hardcover book)

" The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide " may be available in your university library, careers service, or the British Council in your country.

International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)

Search tool and information source for international scholarships and grants.

Postgraduate Funding

Top-up grants, travel bursaries, exchange programme funding, living cost grants and master's funding.

Postgraduate Search

Scholarship search for prospective students.

Scholarships, grants and loans from UK and global sources.

Scholarships for development

International scholarships that are open to students from developing countries and international students in general.

The Scholarships Hub

Scholarships, grants or bursaries for UK and EU students.

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)

Advice and useful information on funding your studies.

Anglo-Jewish Association

Financial assistance for Jewish students starting degree-level study in the UK. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF)

PhD fellowships for outstanding junior scientists worldwide wishing to pursue a PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory. 

British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)

Financial support for women of any nationality studying in higher education at British Universities, for academic excellence or financial need. 

Colt Foundation Fellowships

Funding for three years to enable students to study for a PhD in occupational or environmental health at a UK university.  

FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship

Awards to encourage and support talented women studying at graduate level in the field of finance. 

Gilchrist Educational Trust

Grants for individuals facing financial difficulties in the last year of the course, and travel grants for students needing to spend time abroad as part of their degree. 

Google Europe Students with Disabilities Scholarship

Support for university students with disabilities studying computer science, computer engineering, informatics or a closely related technical field at an accredited university in Europe or Israel. 

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

Scholarships for students applying for a Master’s degree in a development-related topic, and with professional experience of supporting their countries’ development efforts.   

JMK Women in Business Scholarship

Scholarships to help women pursue Master's degrees in business management.  

Linnean Society of London

Awards and grants to promote the study of biological sciences. 

Postgrad.com

5 x Postgraduate Solutions Study Bursaries worth £2000. Open to postgraduates from anywhere in the world. 

Research and Development Management (RADMA)

Funding for doctoral studies and postgraduate student research support. 

The Rotary Foundation

Scholarships for graduate students studying abroad in topics related to building international relationships, conflict resolution, improving lives and creating a better world. 

Royal Geographical Society with IBG

Grants to support geographical research for Master's and research students.  

Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust

Grants for students who have been accepted on or are applying for a Master’s or Doctoral degree in any subject. 

Anglo-Danish Society Scholarships

Partial awards for Danish graduates who are going to study a postgraduate degree in the UK. There are no restrictions as to the subject of study. 

The German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD, offers a wide range of scholarships to German students who are wanting to study abroad.  

Director IB Henrik’s Fund

Support for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish university or higher education institution and who wish to obtain a Master's degree abroad. 

Herbert Smith Freehills Entente Cordiale scholarships

Support for one year of full-time postgraduate study in a British university. 

IELTS Award

For students who have taken an IELTS test at a British Council centre in Germany. The award is worth between £3,000 up to £10,000. 

Jansons Scholarships

Scholarships to help fund study abroad for Norwegian students for up to one year. 

Norwegian student loan and grant-awarding body that supports Norwegian students to study overseas. 

Marius Jakulis Jason Foundation

Grants for Master’s studies at the world’s best universities. The recipient of the grant commits to working in Lithuania for an agreed period after finishing their studies. 

St Matthias Trust

Scholarships towards study/research that will contribute to the work of the Church of England. 

World Wide Studies Grants

Support for Ukrainian citizens aged 35 or under to get a Master's degree at the world's best universities. 

Canon Collins Trust

Fully-funded Commonwealth Scholarships for students from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique or Zambia to study for a PhD at any UK university. 

Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund

Funding for Sudanese/South Sudanese individuals looking to conduct postgraduate study that will ultimately benefit their home country. 

Qalaa Holdings Scholarship Foundation

Academic scholarships for talented and promising young Egyptian men and women to pursue Master’s degrees abroad in all fields of study. 

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Scholarships for students from Singapore pursuing their passion in science at universities overseas. 

Bangkok Bank

Scholarships for Thai students pursuing a Master’s degree. 

British Lebanese Association

Fully-funded scholarships for Master’s level courses in subjects considered to be most beneficial to Lebanon’s development. 

Charles Wallace Trusts

Financial assistance for nationals of Bangladesh, Burma/Myanmar, India, and Pakistan to help them in obtaining education and professional development in the UK. 

Great Britain–China Educational Trust

Awards of up to £3,000 for Chinese students studying a PhD in the UK. 

Indian Department of Education

Funding for Indian students studying abroad. 

J.N. Tata Endowment awards

Loan scholarships to help support Indian students with higher studies overseas. 

King Abdullah Scholarships Program

Opportunities for Saudi citizens to pursue graduate university education overseas. 

Lebanese International Finance Executives (LIFE) Scholarship

Support for Lebanese students in financial need to pursue academic aspirations in the fields of economics, finance, law and STEM. 

Narotam Sekhsaria PG Scholarship

Full and part scholarships as interest-free loans for Indian nationals pursuing postgraduate studies. 

Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarships

Scholarships for Indian students pursuing graduate study and research in any subject at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.  

Regeneration Center of Thailand

Scholarships for motivated graduates of Southeast Asian heritage looking to acquire knowledge in the field of healthcare, science, biology, or mathematics. 

Singapore Public Service Commission Master’s Scholarships

Scholarships for Singapore citizens who wish to study from a diverse range of courses relevant to the Public Service. 

Tan Kah Kee Foundation

Postgraduate scholarships for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) pursuing full-time PhD or Master’s degrees. 

Banking & Financial Services Law Association

Scholarship to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand studying post-graduate banking, financial services or insolvency law, or a related field of law. 

General Sir John Monash Foundation

Scholarships for Australian citizens who are planning to undertake postgraduate study overseas. 

Gowrie Bursary

Bursary for past and present members of the Australian Armed Forces and their descendants, undertaking a graduate research program at an international university. 

North America

Benjamin a gilman international scholarship program.

Scholarship to enable American students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. 

Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund

Funding for outstanding students from across Canada who are already enrolled in postgraduate programmes at UK universities.  

Fulbright Awards

Awards for US graduate students, academics and professionals interested in studying, researching or teaching at higher education institutions in the UK. 

Financial assistance for Mexican students to study full-time Master's courses abroad. 

Law Foundation of British Columbia

Fellowships for British Columbian students pursuing full time graduate studies in law or a law-related area.  

Mexican Embassy

A list of scholarships offered by Mexican institutions for Mexican students to study in the UK. 

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Postgraduate scholarships for citizens and permanent residents of Canada studying at universities outside Canada.  

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

Graduate scholarships for citizens and permanent residents of Canada wishing to undertake study in the field of humanities or social sciences. 

The WL Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships

Scholarships for graduates of Canadian universities who want to pursue graduate study in Canada or abroad. 

Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships for Canadian citizens studying full-time in a doctoral program in a field relating to one of the Foundations four social sciences and humanities themes. 

Thouron Award

Awards for graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania. The award covers full tuition and fees for up to two years at any degree-granting programme in the UK. 

South America

Instituto ling.

Partial scholarships to Brazilians wishing to study for an MBA, MPA and LLM at a leading US or European university. 

Many charities make awards to current and prospective postgraduate students. These opportunities are not always advertised and can be hard to find.

Charities offering funding usually also have specific terms and conditions attached.  

Below we have put together a list of useful pages and funding opportunities to help you save time searching for charities that match your academic, societal or economic background. 

The Charities Digest publication or online  Charity Register

A comprehensive list of charities. The Charities Digest is not available online so you can ask your University Library or Careers Service if they have this. 

The Directory of Grant Making Trusts publication

This is a best-selling guide to funding from grant-making charities. This is not available online so you can ask your University Library or Careers Service if they have this. 

The Educational Grants Directory publication

Over 800 sources of non-statutory financial help for people in education. This is not available online so you can ask your University Library or Careers Service if they have this. 

Postgraduate Studentships

Search for charity and Trust funding in specific subject areas.

A searchable database of available charitable grants.

Loans provide an alternative source of funding for postgraduate study.

One of the main eligibility criteria will be your country of residence, as they're often connected to government schemes. 

The following loans are available:

• UK Government Postgraduate Masters Loans
• UK Government Postgraduate Doctoral Loans  
• US Loans  (federal or private and Veteran Affairs benefits)
• Canadian Student Loans
• Educational Loans  (other options)  

You can apply for a study loan once you are a student. However, you must confirm how you are financing your course before you can be admitted to study.

If you have any questions, please email  [email protected]  

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How to Find Charity Funding

Final thoughts, charities that offer postgraduate funding.

Updated January 15, 2024

Anyone considering a postgraduate course will need to ensure that they can secure adequate funding – for academic fees and research, and to support themselves during their period of study.

There are many options for postgraduate funding. This article specifically looks at charities as a source of alternative or additional funding.

Charities do not necessarily advertise these opportunities, so time spent researching what is available and making suitable applications can be well worth the effort.

You should be aware that charities offering funding usually have specific terms and conditions attached, so think carefully about what the application is for and how you would allocate the money.

As you might imagine, searching for relevant charities that offer applicable funding is not the easiest or quickest thing to do. We can help. Here are some good ways to find charity funding that is suitable for you:

Start by visiting your university library or careers service and look for the following books:

Divided into information by country, the Grants Register details over a thousand awarding bodies from which you can make a list of relevant contacts to begin your search. It is not available online.

You can also search the Charities Digest or the online Charity Register to find a comprehensive list of charities relevant to your sector. With over 160,000 charities listed, you will need to narrow the choice down before you start making applications.

Other publications include the Directory of Grant-Making Trusts and the Educational Grants Directory .

Alongside your library research, look at other online services that distil information about charity grants for postgraduate funding, including:

Turn2Us , which has a searchable list of available charitable grants;

The Alternative Guide Online is the online version of The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding and is run by two previous PhD students. They have a database listing over 1,000 funding opportunities. Your university may be signed up to allow you to access this for free.

Using these resources, you should be able to narrow down a list of charitable bodies whose eligibility criteria aligns with your academic, societal or economic background.

Do not forget to consider what seems like esoteric differentiators – there are charitable bodies that offer funding with criteria based on languages, family background, the county in which you live and even eating habits.

How to Apply for Charity Funding

Part of the key to securing charity funding is to consider multiple funding options and not assume you need to secure all of your funding from one place. It is normal to have several smaller sources, so keep persevering even if you feel like you are not succeeding.

Previous postgraduate students have indicated that applying for local funding and awards – relevant to the area of study – helped to give their funding application credibility when applying to larger charities or funding bodies.

The time you allocate to achieving your funding goals will make a big difference. Not only do most opportunities have strict deadlines, but you will also need to factor in plenty of time for research and crafting your applications.

While you may have a broad outline for your applications, each new request will need to be unique. Remember to politely enquire as to why you were turned down – if your application is rejected – and use this information to tailor your next attempt.

Below are some tips for making your charity funding application.

Make Sure You Know What Is on Offer

When you are ready to make your application, ensure you know exactly what's offered and what requirements are set out by the funding body – and ensure you meet them.

Triple-check the maximum amount that is on offer to ensure you are not asking for more than can be awarded. Check also whether the funding is designed to be supplementary and, if so, ensure these other sources have already been secured.

Consider the aims of the charitable body and how those align with your proposal. 

When persuading a charity to award you the funding you need, it is key that there is a clear match between your request and what the charitable body has been set up to achieve.

Sell Your Proposal

Before crafting your proposal, do your research to ensure you cover all the points that the charity requires.

Approach your proposal like a business plan. Be specific about what you’ll use the money for and what the funding body can expect in return (if required). Think about why they should award the funds to you and your study/research rather than the next applicant.

Make sure that you secure references in support of your application. These could be from your tutor or other academic staff.

10 Charities That Offer Postgraduate Funding

Trust funding.

Philanthropists often leave bequests when they die, which are then held in a trust to be awarded for postgraduate study and research.

The most well known are:

1. Sir Richard Stapley Education Trust

Offers annual funding of up to £1,500 across all subjects for UK-based postgraduate study.

2. The Leverhulme Trust

Offers 13 schemes across a variety of requirements, mostly research-centric, and distributes around £100m per year. Some are annual, others triennial.

3. The Wellcome Trust

Operates globally with an endowment of over £20bn. The main focus of The Wellcome Trust is biomedical science and health-related topics.

4. The Nuffield Foundation

Set up to fund research that will improve social policy in the areas of education, justice and welfare, this foundation is mainly aimed at research outside of education. That said, it is worth considering as secondary funding if another grant has covered your fees and living expenses.

5. The Humanitarian Trust

Awards one-off grants of a maximum of £1,000, where students need a top-up to reach the required amount to finish their course of study.

There are also many more local trusts that can offer small grants to help with studies, usually available to specific locations or circumstances.

Industry-Specific Funding

These are charities that operate in very specific industries, so it is worth seeing if anything is available within your own industry. We've given a couple of example charities below.

6. The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers

Supports careers in the British furniture-making industry, including some grants.

7. The Bibliographical Society

Supports research into subjects relating to bibliography, including book illustration and bookbinding.

Person-Specific Funding

These charities operate to assist certain categories of people, ranging from the broad to the esoteric. This is an illustrative list rather than an exhaustive one.

8. Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

If you are the child (or spouse, widow or widower) of a travelling sales representative, pharmacist or grocer, you can make an application to this charity for a bursary towards postgraduate study of up to £5,000 a year.

9. The Vegetarian Charity

If you’re under 26 and a vegetarian, this charity offers small grants.

10. Funds for Women Graduates

Supporting women pursuing postgraduate study, the FfWG provides a limited number of grants annually to help with living costs.

Working out how to acquire funding for postgraduate study can seem an enormous mountain to climb. With a decent amount of time set aside and an action plan in place, most postgraduate students find that there is funding on offer if you are patient and persevere.

While there are some grants and bursaries on offer that cover the entirety of your postgraduate costs, most students find they need to rely on multiple applications.

Approaching your funding as a portfolio of several smaller funding sources for different financial requirements (e.g. course fees, research expenses, travel expenses, etc.) is likely to lead to greater success.

Securing the first part of the puzzle can often be the hardest, as a lot of applications rely on you having already secured one or more income streams. Once that first piece is in place, though, you can then use that in subsequent applications.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Postgraduate / Further Study sections.

• How to Apply for PhD Funding – Advice, Tips and FAQs

How to Apply for PhD Funding – Advice, Tips & FAQs

Written by Mark Bennett

You've found a great project at the perfect university and you're all set to get going with your research. There's just one question left: how are you actually going to fund your PhD?

The first step is to get to know the different types of PhD funding . But what about actually applying for them? How do you decide where to start? How do you stay organised? And, ultimately, how do you convince someone to help pay for your PhD?

This guide is here to help with those questions. We've distilled the most important PhD funding advice into six simple tips, followed by some FAQs to cover common questions.

How to apply for PhD funding – the basics

First things first, how do PhD funding applications actually work? It obviously depends on the type of funding you apply for, but here are some general pointers to get you started on applying for a PhD scholarship, studentship or loan.

Applying for PhD funding vs applying for a PhD

If your PhD is advertised as a funded project then you won't need to make a separate application for funding: you simply apply for the PhD opportunity and get the stipend or studentship that comes with it. This is common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. If that's you, you don't really need the advice on this page – you can just get started finding a funded PhD !

If you're proposing your own PhD topic then you will need to apply for funding separately. This is common in Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects, though some STEM projects are also advertised for self-funded students . If you're one of them then the information here is designed to help you.

Where to apply

A lot of PhD funding is already allocated to universities, even if the money itself comes from an external source. This is the case for UK Research Council studentships as well as many scholarships from large charities like the Leverhulme Trust or the Wolfson Foundation.

You normally apply for this kind of funding after the university has accepted your PhD application . Sometimes it's a completely separate process, or you may automatically be entered into consideration for a PhD scholarship from your university.

Other funding bodies like smaller charities or learned societies will usually accept applications directly from students. They may also want confirmation that you've been accepted for a PhD before they'll consider you. If you're not sure how to apply for a PhD scholarship, it's best to reach out to the funding body directly, as the process will differ between organisations.

Applications for the PhD loan go directly to student finance. You'll need to say where you plan to do your PhD, but you don't need to have finished applying for it yet.

Deadlines for PhD funding are usually set quite far in advance. You may need to begin your funding application during the winter or early spring of the academic year before your degree starts. This provides time for funders to assess applications and select candidates (most PhD scholarships and studentships are awarded competitively).

Deadlines for student loans are more relaxed as only your basic eligibility needs to be checked. For example, you can actually apply for a UK PhD loan at any point up until three months before the end of your degree.

What you'll need

Application requirements for PhD funding are similar to those for a PhD.

You'll normally need to provide details of your existing or pending qualifications, a proposal for the project you plan to research, and some form of personal statement that explains your broader goals and establishes your 'fit' with this scholarship or studentship. Some funders may also ask to see an appropriate academic CV and references .

Bear in mind that the things a funder wants to see may be slightly different to the things a university wants to see. For example, they may care less about the academic detail and methodology for your project and more about how its outcomes support their own objectives.

PhD funding bodies

There are many organisations including charities and trusts that fund PhDs in the UK, but the seven Research Councils run by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are by far the biggest contributors to doctoral research. Together, they invest £380 million per year in PhD studentships.

How to apply for PhD funding – tips and tricks

Applying for PhD funding isn't quite the same as applying for a PhD . You'll need to plan for multiple options and outcomes and organise your applications accordingly. You may also need to think slightly differently about how you present and talk about your PhD plans.

Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

Tip 1 – Work out how much funding you definitely need

The first step in applying for funding should be to work out the rough cost of your PhD . Fees will be similar for most PhDs in the UK, but living costs and other expenses will depend on your subject and circumstances. It's a good idea to get a rough estimate for yours.

Now, subtract from that any funding you may be able to access automatically. This could include things like alumni discounts from your university or student finance like the UK PhD loan.

Once you've done this, you'll know how much funding is essential to make your PhD viable and you can prioritise your options accordingly (we'll get to that soon).

The reality is that applications for full studentships (like those from the AHRC , ESRC and other UK Research Councils ) are very competitive. They should still be your Plan A, but that doesn't mean you can't also be working on a Plan B.

Tip 2 – Don't put all your eggs in one basket

This follows from the above, but it's worth picking out (yes, we care about you too, skim readers).

You want a full PhD studentship. Having one is clearly better than borrowing money, using your own savings or working part-time to fund a PhD (and it's an awful lot better than having to do all three).

But you can't just assume you'll get a particular studentship. So don't.

At the very least, have a couple of alternatives in mind (i.e. funding opportunities from your university as well as a UKRI studentship ). You should also be thinking now about what you'll do if you don't get a particular funding option. Can you begin your project as a wholly or partially self-funded student? What other grants might you apply for in that case, and when?

This brings us to. . .

Tip 3 – Be really organised

Some of the most boring and obvious advice for a PhD funding search also happens to be some of the most effective.

First of all, make a list of the different funding options you might apply for. Include details of the amounts they offer, their specific eligibility criteria and, most importantly, their deadlines.

Next, work backwards from those deadlines and plan your application process. It might be a good idea to split this into phases, starting with the earliest deadlines for the best funding and moving on to less ideal (but potentially viable) options that leave you more time prepare.

Let's say you're looking to fund a Social Sciences PhD. You know that the deadline for Economic and Social Research Council funding at your university is in January and you focus on getting everying ready for that application, before Christmas. This is phase one.

Meanwhile, you're also making a list of alternative sources of full funding, from your university and some independent trusts and charities . If your ESRC application isn't successful, you're instantly ready to pick yourself up and go to phase two.

Finally, you've read up on the UK PhD loan system and determined that this is a viable (though not ideal) option, if all else fails. There's no real deadline for this and applications don't generally open until June. So, if it comes to it, that's phase three.

It's a lot of work, but it's also good training in organisational and project management skills – fairly handy on a PhD.

Tip 4 – Don't beg and don't spam

This advice should be self-explanatory and, given that you've bothered to read this far, you shouldn't need it. Still though, you might be surprised to learn just how many low quality applications some funders receive.

As a general rule, funders will be more interested in your research than they are in your personal backstory. Or, to put it another way, the fact that you really need funding isn't enough to get it (everyone else needs funding too and scholarships are almost never first-come-first-served).

Similarly, copying and pasting the same email to multiple funders may feel like it saves time, but it probably just wastes it. It's easy to spot a copied email and, in any case, you won't have given yourself a chance to explain why your research fits each funder's objectives. That brings us to the next tip.

Tip 5 – Think like a funder

Applying for a PhD means convincing someone that your research is worth doing. Applying for funding means convincing someone that it's worth paying for.

And, sadly, no funder exists just to help any student get any PhD in any subject.

So, a key piece of advice for a successful PhD funding application is to try and get inside the head of potential funders. What are their objectives? Why do they actually fund PhD research? What do they hope their funding will achieve?

Universities will want to maintain or raise their profile for research in certain areas. Businesses will hope to benefit commercially and / or reputationally from the research they fund. Charities will pursue a range of objectives, from combatting disease or addressing cultural issues to preserving local heritage or widening participation in education.

Whatever your funder's goals, you need to be really clear why and how you and your PhD are going to help achieve them. The best place for this is normally a personal statement or covering letter (if your funding application asks for one) but you may also need to think ahead to potential PhD interview questions , if a representative from your funding body will be present.

Tip 6 – Get help from your supervisor, if you can

Chances are that you've already been matched with a supervisor by now (particularly if you've already been accepted for your PhD). If not, you may have a supervisor in mind and have begun corresponding with them .

Either way, a prospective supervisor may be able to help more than you think. This isn't just because they're experts in your field, either; academics also have a lot of experience applying for research funding.

Here are a few of the ways they may be able to help:

• Highlighting funding you aren't aware of – Your supervisor will be aware of specialist funders in your subject area and they may also have advance knowledge of upcoming funding opportunities
• Helping you emphasise the right aspects of your project – Your supervisor will be used to thinking about research from a funder's point of view; they'll be able to help you decide what to include (and leave out) when pitching your research for funding
• Acting as a referee – Your supervisor will be uniquely positioned to vouch for the potential value and impact of your project
• Providing perspective – Not winning funding can be disheartening, but it doesn't mean your PhD is a failure; your supervisor will be able to help you pick yourself back up and move on to the next option

How much support you can expect from a supervisor will depend on your circumstances (and theirs) but you don't necessarily have to apply for PhD funding entirely on your own.

PhD funding FAQs

Here are the answers to a few common questions about PhD funding:

Can I apply for multiple funding options at the same time?

Yes. Technically you put in as many PhD studentship or scholarship applications as you like. Just bear in mind that good funding applications take time. It's better to be organised than to over-stretch yourself.

Also, some funding options can't be combined: for example, you can't have a PhD loan if you've also been awarded funding from UKRI .

Is there a limit to how much PhD funding I can get?

Some funders will only provide full studentships to PhD students who don't already have another substantial source of support.

There's no official limit on the number of smaller grants you can combine from universities, charities and trusts (and no one to enforce one) but, again, funders may wish to focus on students who need their support the most.

How much is PhD funding worth?

Broadly speaking, there are two types of PhD funding:

• Full studentships provide a payment for your university fees and a stipend or bursary to contribute towards your living costs
• Partial awards either cover your fees or contribute towards living costs

Some full studentships also provide additional money for travel and research expenses such as materials and fieldwork.

In any case, the value of your PhD funding will depend on the cost associated with your PhD. As a good benchmark, a full UKRI studentship currently provides a little under £20,000 per year for fees and living costs

What can I use PhD funding to pay for?

It depends what the funding is allocated for.

Most PhD stipends or bursaries are paid directly to students for living costs. Funders won't check exactly what you spend this money on, but it's a good idea to focus on accommodation, groceries and other essentials.

Some additional funding may be provided for travel or conference expenses, in which case you'll probably need to keep the relevant reciepts.

Money paid for fees will usually go directly to your university.

When should I start looking for PhD funding?

It's a good idea to begin thinking about funding as soon as you start to seriously consider a PhD. That will give you enough time to put together the best possible application and consider alternative options if you aren't initially successful.

Can funded students also work during a PhD?

You won't normally be allowed to work full-time if you also have a full studentship, but you may be able to work part time (this is the case for UKRI PhD funding).

Is PhD funding tax free?

Government funding, such as Research Council studentships, is usually tax-free. The same is usually true of other grants and scholarships that are provided solely to help support PhD study. However, some PhD funding may be taxable if it is provided in return for services such as teaching or other work at your university.

PhD loans are always tax free, but they may affect your entitlement to some benefits, including how much Universal Credit you can claim .

Does PhD funding need to be repaid?

Studentships and scholarships don't need to be repaid after you complete your PhD. Student loans do, but their repayments are linked to earnings.

Can I get funding if I don't have a 1st or 2.1?

Having a good degree result from your Bachelors (or Masters ) will help in your funding application, but it isn't the only thing funders will consider. A lower class degree may be compensated for by other factors such as relevant experience and the wider potential of your PhD project.

What happens if I don't get PhD funding?

You may still be able to begin your PhD without funding, but this will depend on your circumstances.

Some students begin by self-funding (using savings, part-time work and / or PhD student loans) in the hope of winning a full studentship during their PhD. This approach can be successful, but there's no guarantee you'll win funding later if you haven't done so in advance. So be honest about whether you can see the full doctorate through as a self-funding student.

Self-funding can also be difficult if you have to pay additional bench fees (for consumables and materials) or if the working hours for your PhD aren't flexible enough to fit around part-time work.

Ready to find a PhD?

You can find funded PhD programmes on our website.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Mark bennett.

Mark joined FindAPhD to develop our first ever advice articles in 2013 and now serves as our Director of Audience & Editorial, making sure our websites and information are as useful as possible for people thinking about Masters and PhD study. He has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Sheffield, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Kent and the University of South Wales.

You may also like...

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Not sure how to fund your PhD? This guide answers some of the most common questions about PhD funding in the UK.

The seven UK Research Councils provide government studentships for PhD research in different subject areas. Our simple guide explains how this funding works, what you can get and how to apply successfully.

You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate from Student Finance. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments.

Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships available to you.

A range of scholarships may be available to help you fund a PhD. Our guide explains the different types of award with tips for making a successful funding application.

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PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

There are probably more funding opportunities for your PhD than you think. It is worth making sure you have investigated them all.

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some pay course fees only, some include a stipend (maintenance costs) or travel expenses, and others offer a one-off award to ease the financial burden of academic study.

Each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility. At PhD level full funding will tend to be awarded on academic merit, but there are also some that take into account financial background and other criteria such as gender (such as in the case of the British Federation of Women Graduates).

Research Councils

The seven Research Councils invest in the region of £380 million into doctorate research every year. However, funding is made available through the participating universities rather than the research councils themselves. Universities set up Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in order to receive funding.

It is then up to the universities to decide who to award studentships to – usually based on academic merit following a competitive application process.

Eligibility criteria and award amounts are standardised and you will find many other funded PhDs referring to research council rates when defining their own. Research council studentships include fees and a minimum stipend per annum which is paid tax-free.

The seven Research Councils include:

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The above organisations have been grouped together with Innovate UK and Research England in 2018, and the umbrella organisation is called UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

UKRI’s key objectives include providing funding for the training of new researchers.

Academic institutions

Universities, colleges and research institutes also fund their own studentships, and these are typically listed on the institution’s own website alongside its research council-funded studentships. Some will offer fees only, while others may offer a stipend as well. Amounts may vary although many use the research council rates as a benchmark.

Commercial and charitable organisations

A number of non-academic organisations help fund research at PhD level in collaboration with the university hosting the study. CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentships are for four-year PhDs. These are part-funded by a non-academic ‘co-operating body’ such as a UK industrial firm, public sector organisation or charity. Students spend at least three months of the PhD working in-situ at the co-operating body which makes a financial contribution to both the student and the project. Students often find these to be good avenues for finding full-time work at the end of their placement, and will have gained valuable hands-on work experience. There are also CASE-Plus studentships where students spend a further year working full-time on the premises of the co-operating body as an employee following the PhD.

A number of charitable organisations, foundations and trusts can help fund PhDs:

The Wellcome Trust

Cancer Research UK

The British Academy

The British Federation of Women Graduates

The Institution of Civil Engineers

Institution of Engineering & Technology

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Royal Geographical Society

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland

Leverhulme Trust

Action Medical Research

The Grundy Educational Trust .

Self-funding

If you are having difficulty in getting funding from the above sources, you may be able to fund your own way through a PhD. You may be eligible for Professional and Career development loans. It is wise to review the specific application criteria to ensure that you are eligible.

A further option is to study part-time while working. This could however place additional demands on your time and financial situation. Be aware that if you have managed to access some funding elsewhere, you may be prohibited from working during your PhD as part of the stipulations of the award.

The jobs.ac.uk website lists some excellent PhD opportunities as well as a wide range of jobs – do take a look at them!

For more PhD tips:

Your PhD Journey – Top Tips 

What Can You Do With a PhD?

PhD Application Tips

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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10th October 2019 at 12:12 pm

I am a PHD Scholar at Wollegga University, Ethiopia.I need a Research Grant. Would you please help me?

3rd December 2019 at 9:21 am

I am conflict management PhD candidate in South Africa I need funding. My area of focus is Terrorism in Nigeria. Any advice

4th September 2020 at 8:57 pm

I was offered PhD opportunities at Universities of Cape Town, Queen Margaret and Winchester but could not find funding. My area of specialization is health systems management planning and poli

11th September 2020 at 3:25 pm

I am DBA scholar at University of Northampton researching on industrial actions. I need a research grant. Please assist.

4th December 2020 at 5:11 pm

I am looking for an admission to study PhD Medical Imaging or PhD Nuclear Medicine Technology with finding or grants. Kindly specifically help.

6th August 2022 at 6:45 am

I am a PhD scholar in one of the Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria. I seriously need a funding to allow me carry out a thorough research on Microplastics pollution in coastal areas of Southwestern part of Nigeria. Thanking you for your timely response. Olanipekun Oluwafunmilayo (Mrs)

5th January 2021 at 9:00 am

I am South African and I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University of Worcester, UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

18th October 2021 at 12:03 pm

I am due to go into my final year of my Professional doctorate in education, and need funding just for this one year. My research is into COVID and the impact upon young children. Please, can anyone guide me towards any potential sources of funding for this one year?

27th January 2022 at 1:42 pm

I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University College London in 2022 fall, but I find it difficult to get funding as a non-European international student. Any advice! Many thanks in advance.

5th March 2022 at 1:32 pm

Hello, I am a Chinese student. If I am admitted to a PhD programme of Newcastle University in 2022 fall, but I have not applied for CSC, and the program I applied for is not a full prize program, what other subsidies can I apply for?Any advice! Thank you very much in advance!

10th June 2022 at 6:13 am

I am interested in fully funded PhD, I am a master student in de Montfort university presently.

22nd June 2022 at 5:13 pm

My name is Esther, a Nigerian. I am looking for a PHD in Gender studies and Food Economics, please i will appreciate your kind assistance.

31st January 2023 at 2:57 am

I am a Nigerian and will be taking a Ph. D in UK or any European country soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in Urban and Regional Planning with specialty in Landscaping and Transportation. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated.

7th October 2023 at 4:31 pm

My name is Jingrong, a Chinese student. I am a PhD student in the University of Bristol presently, my research is based on the remanufacturing operations. I am interested in some related funding.

13th August 2022 at 5:50 pm

My name is Bulea Christopher, I am seeking to do PhD in Organizational leadership and management. I shall be grateful.

19th October 2022 at 1:31 pm

I am Nigeria and will be taking a Ph. D in UK soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in renewable energy system of technology. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated. Thanks

31st October 2022 at 8:58 am

My name is Nkomo Dalubuhle from Zimbabwe lm looking for a PHD in curriculum studies in education

18th November 2022 at 3:51 am

I am from Pakistan and want to apply for PhD programme at the University of Staffordshire UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

21st October 2023 at 3:56 pm

I am master’s in special education from pakistan.i required fully funded uni of this field.

14th March 2024 at 8:01 am

I’m a Tunisian student who has been accepted into a PhD program at Newcastle University for 2024, specializing in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a master’s degree program at the University of East Anglia, focusing on Rural Development. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to secure funding for either program. Do you have any advice on what steps I can take or where I can apply for funding? Thank you in advance!

25th June 2024 at 10:26 pm

My name is Wendy Mbele from South Africa lm looking for a PHD in business administration studies

25th June 2024 at 10:30 pm

My name is Wendy Mbele from South Africa lm looking for a DBA funding please.

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• Research Vs Taught Masters
• Taught Masters
• Research Masters
• Personal Statement
• Public funding bodies
• Institutional funding
• Charities, foundations and trusts
• Part-time job
• Funding for disabled students
• Postgraduate Jobs

Postgraduate Charities Funding

If you have exhausted other avenues of funding and do not wish to take out another loan to fund your studies, there are quite a few charities, foundations and trusts that award partial funding for postgraduate study. Charities, foundations and trusts provide a range of awards for postgraduate study, including studentships, scholarships, bursaries, competitions and prizes. Applications for funding, however, will not normally be considered until you have tried applying for all other possible sources of funding. However, you will have to make a very strong case in order for your application to be successful and normally you will only receive partial funds toward the cost of your course. You can find more detailed information on postgraduate funding opportunities offered by charities, foundations and trusts listed in the following publications. They should both be available in most libraries and in the careers services of UK higher education institutions:

• The Grants Register , published annually by Palgrave Macmillan
• The Directory of Grant Making Trusts , published annually by the Charities Aid Foundation

Further information

For more tips and advice on applying for a postgraduate course, please see:

• Should I do a Masters course?
• Pros and cons
• Postgraduate courses
• Entry requirements
• Choosing a university
• Taught vs Research Masters
• Taught Masters Degree
• Research Masters Degree
• Postgraduate funding

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Find your scholarship now

2,017 scholarships available, popular subjects, human resources management, medical sciences, popular universities, bangor university, university of glasgow, nottingham trent university, postgraduate funding guide.

Finding the finances to study a postgraduate degree may seem difficult, but there’s actually range of funding available. From loans and grants, to scholarships and bursaries, there’s a variety of both re-payable and non-repayable funding out there for postgraduate students. So explore this dedicated funding section to find out more and to search for scholarships to help you get into further study.

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