Undergraduate Summer Research Bursaries

The RSC in conjunction with the Nuffield Foundation are now offering undergraduate summer research bursaries for 2013.

The Nuffield Foundation has been running the undergraduate summer research bursary scheme for nearly 20 years. This year, 35 chemistry specific bursaries will be offered by the RSC working with the Foundation.

These research bursaries are to fund short (6-8 weeks) summer research projects for undergraduate chemistry students in the middle years of their course within a university department working on an actual research project. The purpose of the awards is to give experience of research to undergraduates with research potential and to encourage them to consider a career in scientific research.

The bursary is worth £180 per week (£190 in London) for up to 8 weeks to cover a defined research placement. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Researchers in the field of Chemical science at universities and research institutions located within the UK are eligible to apply. Although it was not originally planned to roll this scheme out beyond the UK until next year, it has been decided that any entries received this year from the Republic of Ireland will not be excluded, provided they are received by the 25th of February. Next year, the Republic of Ireland will be included from the outset. 
• Postdoctoral researchers and new lecturers, early in their research careers are also encouraged to apply on behalf of the undergraduate student, and should note their academic status on the application form.
• Only one application should be submitted by a supervisor. 
• Strictly no more than four awards will be made to an individual department or subject area within multidisciplinary departments or schools. Please bear in mind that this is a national scheme with a limited number of bursaries.
• Students will take up the award during the summer vacation in the middle years (i.e. 2/3, 2/4 or 3/4) of their degree. Applications on behalf of first- or final-year undergraduates, or graduates, will not be considered.
• Mature students are eligible to apply, but must not have a previous degree in any subject.
  Students must be registered at a UK institution (whether full-time or part-time) for the majority of their undergraduate chemical science degree.
• Students, who are in receipt of financial support from other sources for the project which is the subject of application, will not be eligible to the award of a bursary.
• The RSC welcomes applications from all universities but particularly invites departments who have not previously participated in the scheme.        

How to apply

• The application must be submitted by the supervisor of the research project
• Application forms must be returned electronically to UG Bursaries by 5pm Monday 25 February 2013