Get funding for a research placement at a UK or Irish university
This funding scheme is for students enrolled on accredited degrees outside of the UK and Ireland and complements our existing undergraduate research bursaries for students in the UK and Ireland.
The International Student Research Bursary provides up to £2,750 for a penultimate-year student to travel to an accredited university, in the UK or Ireland, to carry out a 6–10 week research placement.
The awards give the experience of research to students who have demonstrated outstanding research potential, encourage them to consider a further career in scientific research, and facilitate international collaboration and cooperation.
It is also an opportunity for the host institution to raise its profile internationally and attract new talent.
What do previous participants think?
As a chemistry student in Brazil, having the opportunity to carry out my first academic research project with the International Student Research Bursary is an inspiring experience. Every day in the lab is a significant step in my development as a scientist, and I am deeply grateful for this chance to explore academic research at such a deep level. This experience is giving me a clear vision of the impact that science can have on the world, and I am more motivated than ever to contribute to this advancement!.
This is a valuable experience because this is my first time abroad. The supervisor gave me the best impression when I was in the UK, and my group mates always shared their knowledge about their projects. I can also explore places that I have never visited. Everything looks fun and this is a great opportunity for everyone.
The program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me - both to be in the UK for the first time and to live there for the duration. The supervisor was great fun to work with and I got to explore places that I could only see on screen before. Overall it was very exciting and I would encourage everyone to try it..
The exposure I received at the Chemistry Research Laboratory has been unbelievably worthwhile, from using the different instruments to building up self-confidence. This has also helped me to gain a wider perspective in the field of science, it has increased my fascination and interest in this field. This will help me focus more on my studies as it has sparked a new interest for learning within me.
It was a pleasure to host an enthusiastic and knowledgeable visitor from Indonesia, and easy to accommodate them in the lab. The student fitted in straight away and spent their worktime very successfully on a laboratory project that made a valuable contribution to our understanding of cyclopropenone chemistry. Free time was spent on some site-seeing, including visits to Burlington House, Big Ben, Beatles, football and fish and chips.
The application for the bursary was simple, which is a blessing in this time of increasing bureaucracy.
The positive impact is undeniable. It has helped me demystify and get a better grasp of research work, understand the dedication of researchers and discover research opportunities. The time spent here has equipped me with the confidence and skills that I need to embark on my third year with resolve and determination.
It was a surprise when I was contacted by Zainoura to pursue this studentship. I was wary that it would be more effort than it would be worth, but I have been pleasantly surprised. Furthermore, a collaboration with this student and her home institution is now underway.
The experience acquired with the bursary is incomparable and irreplaceable and I am sure that I will never experience something as amazing as that again.
The scheme has worked extremely well both for the student and for us as the host. I highly recommend expanding it in future so that more students and supervisors can benefit from this experience. Support has been excellent during the whole process (thank you!).
Application process
Please note that meeting the eligibility set out in these guidelines will not automatically result in you being entitled to or offered a bursary. Allocation of a bursary shall be at our absolute discretion. In order to apply for the bursary, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- Only one application may be submitted per student
- Students applying must be in the penultimate year of their studies (year 2 of 3 or year 3 of 4 of a BSc programme, or between years 1 and 2 in an MSc programme)
- Students must be registered on a Royal Society of Chemistry accredited degree outside of the UK and Ireland
- The host supervisor must be conducting research in the chemical sciences at a Royal Society of Chemistry accredited university located in the UK or Ireland
- No more than one student from an individual home institution will be funded per application cycle
Applications should not be submitted before 2 January 2025. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm (UK time) on Friday 14 February 2025.
The main applicant for the International Student Research Bursary should be the student, who is responsible for securing a placement at a host institution and proposing a host supervisor. The student should also nominate a supporter from their home institution. This will normally be the student’s personal tutor or academic advisor.
The application will consist of three parts:
- Student information form (completed by the student)
- Supervisor information form (completed by the host supervisor)
- Supporter information form (completed by the student’s supporter from the home institution)
Making your application
- Approach potential host supervisors to agree to a project and secure a place in their lab. Contact details for academic staff can usually be found on universitys' websites and can also be found in our list of interested supervisors who have expressed an interest
- Apply using the application form - please note that all forms must be completed and submitted by email, by 5pm 14 February. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the host supervisor and supporter complete their information forms on time
- Once your application has been submitted, we will review it and let you know our decision within four to six weeks and by 28 March 2025
- If you need to withdraw your application, you must let us know as soon as possible
- Read our further guidance
Apply now
Adjudication will be by members of the Committee for Accreditation and Validation. The scheme is competitive and applications will be judged on the merits of the student and the scientific merit of the project.
Preference will be given to:
- Students with a strong academic record and excellent practical skills, but who have not yet had an opportunity to experience research
- Research projects that have clearly defined objectives and learning outcomes that are achievable by the student in the time available
- Projects which give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and do not use the student as a general assistant within the supervisor’s department or otherwise at the institution
For more detailed criteria on which the judges will be asked to assess all applications, please contact us. Decisions made by the Committee for Accreditation and Validation are final.
The student and the host supervisor must complete a short report via a feedback form within four weeks of the end of the placement. The student and the supervisor should familiarise themselves with the feedback form at the start of the project, to ensure they can provide all requested information.
The student will be required to submit an account of the travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses within four weeks of the end of the placement. Where possible, this should include receipts. A template will be provided for this purpose. Any unused funds will be repaid to the RSC.
Related pages
Careers support
Other funding options
Contact us
- Email:
- our Accreditation Team