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Bonnart Trust PhD Scholarship

Award overview

  • Level: Postgraduate research
  • Mode of study: Full-time, part-time
  • Tuition fee status: Home
  • Type of award: Full tuition fees plus stipend
  • Number of awards: One
  • Deadline: 31 January 2026

The Bonnart Trust scholarship is being offered to new MPhil/PhD research students applying to any of the following research areas:

BACKGROUND

The scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding candidate whose research topic explores one or more of the themes which are of concern to the Trust: diversity, minorities, and social justice.

  • ABOUT THE FUNDER

    • The purpose of the Bonnart Trust is to 'establish and maintain scholarships at universities in the United Kingdom for research at the postgraduate level into the nature of racial, religious and cultural intolerance with a view to finding a means to combat it'.
    • Bonnart Trust PhD students join a network of Bonnart scholars. The Trust not only supports its scholars financially, but also through networking, sponsoring and mentoring activities and encourages them to engage with a wide range of audiences inside as well as outside academia. 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS

Applications for 2026-27 are now open.

  • Number of Scholarships

    • The Bonnart Trust offers one scholarship each year. The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the home fee rate (£5,006 in 2025-26) and a stipend (£22,780 per year for 2025-26) for up to 3.5 years. In addition, the Trust provides funding of up to £1,000 per scholar over the duration of their PhD to support their research and/or wider development.

  • ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

    • You should usually have an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree, or equivalent, and a master's degree, or equivalent. 
    • You will need to be an outstanding candidate whose research topic explores one or more of the themes which are of concern to the Trust: diversity, minorities, and social justice.
    • We encourage applications from candidates who are able to draw connections between their doctoral research and contemporary concerns and practical outcomes beyond the university. 
    • We will only consider current Birkbeck students who are already enrolled on an MPhil/PhD degree under exceptional circumstances. 
    • This studentship is primarily open to Home students, and the award covers fees at the Home rate. However, international students may apply on the understanding that they will need to personally finance c£35,000 of fees during the 3.5 years of their study.

  • HOW TO APPLY

    • Prospective students 
      • 1. Prepare a concise research proposal that:
        • addresses one of the themes outlined in the eligibility criteria above: diversity minorities, and social justice
        • draws connections between the proposed research topic and contemporary concerns and practical outcomes. 
      • 2. You must identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss and develop your research proposal. This step is vital. It is important to secure input and backing from your named supervisor. 
      • 3. Apply online for the relevant MPhil/PhD degree by 31 January 2026. Make sure to check the 'How to apply' section on the web page for your chosen programme for any department-specific procedures. 
      • 4. Complete the Bonnart Trust PhD Scholarship application form and email it to fhss-pgr@bbk.ac.uk no later than 31 January 2026. 
      • 5. International students need to complete the signed declaration form and send this, along with their application form to fhss-pgr@bbk.ac.uk when they submit their application.

  • CLOSING DATE FOR FUNDING APPLICATION

    • Complete the Bonnart Trust PhD Scholarship application and your MPhil/PhD application by 31 January 2026.

  • FURTHER INFORMATION