Black Futures Postgraduate Research Scholarships (for UK students from Black or Black-Mixed Backgrounds)

The Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences Sciences is now accepting applications for their prestigious Black Futures doctoral scholarship scheme.

This scholarship will fund talented UK-domiciled Black and mixed Black heritage students who want to pursue PhD research at the University of Southampton. In total, the scheme is offering 15 fully funded scholarships.

This year there are five scholarships on offer, for entry from October 2023. The deadline for applications is Friday 17th March 2023.

The purpose of these annual scholarships is to attract excellent Black and mixed Black heritage students who are wanting to study for a postgraduate research degree in any of our five Schools.

You can either apply for an advertised research project, or propose your own PhD topic. To find out about PhD project topics and potential supervisors please visit the relevant School webpages:

• Biological Sciences
• Geography and Environmental Science
• Health Sciences
• Ocean and Earth Science
• Psychology

In addition, the Graduate School at our National Oceanography Centre (part of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences) also lists a wide range of potential project topics in Ocean, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Why apply?

• Covers tuition fees and a stipend for living costs in line with the UKRI rate (£18,022 per year in 2023/24) for 3.5 years (these figures are for full-time study, scholarship rates and duration will be adjusted if studying part-time).
• An annual £1000 research support and training budget.
• Pastoral support from an independent Black Futures cohort tutor.
• An opportunity to spend time embedded within Public Policy Southampton (PPS), which supports the development of evidence-based policy impact.

You will be joining a vibrant research-led University. The Faculty of Environmental & Life Sciences has a collaborative and inclusive research environment. We provide an extensive portfolio of training and development activities provided by our Doctoral College, which will support you to make the transition to becoming an independent researcher and help you pursue a rewarding future career.

Who can apply?

Scholarships are available for applicants who are eligible for home fees, who have Black or mixed Black heritage, and who have applied for a research postgraduate degree in the Faculty of Environmental & Life Sciences (starting in the 2023/24 academic year).

Full details around eligibility for this scheme can be found on our scholarships page.

How to apply

Stage 1 - Visit your School webpage so that you can find an appropriate research area and supervisor. If you need some advice on finding a supervisor then our Faculty Graduate School can help (fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk) Contact potential supervisors, and let them know that you are wanting to apply via this funding scheme. Some Schools may have advertised projects that you can apply to, whereas others may ask you to design your own research proposal.

Stage 2 - Apply for a place on a PhD programme at the University University using our online application form, which will generate a student number (see Stage 3). You should ensure you apply for a PhD place by 17^th March 2023, and have provided any requested supporting documentation in advance of the scholarship deadline. Your supervisor will be available to support you through the application process. If you need any further advice or assistance, then please email: fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Stage 3 - Apply for the Scholarship using this online application form, you will need the student number that you will have been allocated in Stage 2. The deadline for this is also 17^th March 2023. Interviews will be held in April / May.

Further information and support

If you have any further questions about the scheme, eligibility, or the application process, please email fels-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk