Van Mildert College Trust

Enhancing Research through Scholarships and Bursaries

The Trust has a range of Scholarships and Bursaries which are available for Van Mildert students. Our flagship objective is the provision of Postgraduate Research Scholarships which provide a complete funding package for doctoral students. However, the recently introduced conference attendance fund and internship bursary scheme are both recieving enthusiastic responses. Application forms and further information about each of the schemes can be found in the application packs which can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

Van Mildert College Trust Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Research scholarships cover fess, accommodation, living costs and other expenses for outstanding postgraduate students.

We are currently accepting applications for a 3-year Research Scholarship which is open to students from any discipline. The deadline for applications is 31st May 2013. The application information can be found at the bottom of this page.

 

In 2009, our first postgraduate research scholarship was awarded to Megan Wainwright, a medical anthropologist. Since receiving the award, megan has won several prizes and has now undertaken field work in Uruguay in support of her research on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. her work will contribute to our understanding of how the developing world is coping with the challenge posed by smoking and the health problems it can cause.

The Trust is delighted that two further Postgraduate Research Scholarships will commence in October 2012. Soeren Bock, a Chemist from Germany, will be investigating Hydrogen production for clean energy. Joseph Shultz, who recently graduated from Van Mildert with a BA (Hons) in Music and is currently undertaking a MA in Musicology, will begin research into Aram Khachaturian and the development of Soviet neo-nationalist composition.

Van Mildert College Trust Postgraduate Bursary

The Trust was also delighted to award a £4,000 Postgraduate Bursary on behalf of the Fenman Trust. Applications for this competitive bursary were considered by the Principal, Chair of College Council and Bursar. Applications for the next round of the bursary scheme will be welcome from Van Mildert students at the start of the next academic year and publicised via email.

In 2011, Carissa Bussard was the recipient the bursary. Originally from the USA, Carissa studied for her BA (Hons) at the University of California, Berkeley. She completed her MA in Durham and is now reading for a Ph.D. in the Department of English Studies focusing on eighteenth-century women novelists. Carissa is also an active and enthusiastic member of the college community holding positions on the MCR Executive Committee, Library Committee and acting as a College Mentor.

Conference attendance fund

Following a proposal to the trust from the Middle Common Room, this new initiative was agreed upon by the Trust in May 2012 as part of their flagship objective to promote postgraduate research within the college. The first awards will be made in the next academic year but the scheme has already been enthusiastically received by the Postgraduate community. Applications for funding will be welcomed in the Michaelmas and Easter terms for forthcoming conferences and will be publicised via email. Funding will not be awarded retrospectively so forward planning is essential.

Internship support bursary scheme

Internships are an increasingly important part of graduates' early careers, but can be costly for students - particularly those who are required to work away from home. In 2010, the Trust created an Internship Support Bursary scheme for Van Mildert students who have been awarded an internship in their penultimate year of study but who are not able to take it up owing to a lack of funds.

The bursary provides students with support to meet travel and accommodation costs. Three awards of £250 each are currently available but it is hoped that this wil be increased in the future. This builds on the hugely important initiative developed by Van Mildert Association to hold a Careers Dialogue in the Michaelmas term of each academic year. Information about this scheme will be circulated during Michaelmas term.

Please go to the JCR website for more information about other bursaries available to students.

Application packs

Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.