Please note: this year we are allowing a grace period for completion of the supervisor and tutor sections of applications. Students must complete their application tasks (eligibility check, personal information and student application form) by the original deadline of 2 pm UK time on 21 February. Tutors and supervisors must complete their tasks by 4 pm UK time on 24 February. We advise students to inform their tutor/supervisor of this update.
We've made changes to our scheme in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making it more flexible to reflect current uncertainties. Please carefully read our application guidance document, which can be shared with your supervisor, and provides full details on what is needed for your application this year. We recommend that you discuss this as soon as possible with your supervisor.
We offer bursaries to fund 6–8 week undergraduate summer research placements in chemistry-related research areas, for both lab-based and remote projects.
The purpose of the awards is to give experience of real research to undergraduates with research potential and to encourage them to consider a career in scientific research.
The Royal Society of Chemistry would like to thank former Fellow Mr James Diamond CBE FRSC, whose kind legacy has funded the current round of the Undergraduate Research Bursaries.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible, the student must meet all of the following criteria:
- They are in the middle years of their first undergraduate degree at time of application
- Mature students are eligible to apply, but must not have a previous degree in any subject.
- They must be registered at a UK or Republic of Ireland Institution (whether full-time or part-time) for the majority of their undergraduate degree in the chemical sciences.
- They must not be in receipt of financial support from other sources for the project that is the subject of application.
Please ensure you read our guidelines to applicants and conditions of award fully before you begin your application.
What can I request funding for?
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The bursary provides a contribution to the student's wages equivalent to 35 hours per week at the UK National Living Wage (£9.50 per hour from April 2022) for up to 8 weeks to cover a defined research placement.
We welcome applications for both lab-based and remote projects.
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The project must not count towards the student’s academic credits, be used for expeditions or be conducted overseas for more than 50% of the project time.
Application timelines
| Applications open | 17 January 2022 |
| Application close | 21 February 2022 |
| Initial screening decisions | Week commencing 7 March 2022 |
| Funding decisions | Beginning of May 2022 |
Assessment criteria
All applications will undergo an initial screening by staff. Applications will be rejected at this stage if:
- You do not meet our eligibility criteria (see above).
- Your application is incomplete.
- Your application does not adhere to length limits instructed in the application system.
If your project involves work which can only be completed onsite, for example to complete practical laboratory work or requires access to specific equipment including software and computers, you must include details of an alternative project which can you can work on remotely if required to do so.
All remaining eligible applications will undergo peer review by our panel of researchers. They will assess applications on the following criteria. No more than four applications from an individual institution will be funded. Where a student applies to undertake their project at a different UK/ROI university to the one they are enrolled in, the application will not count towards the allocation of either university.
| Merit of the student | Reviewers will assess the student’s aptitude and interest in practical work; their academic abilities; career ambitions and how much this project is likely to benefit them. |
| Suitability of the project (including alternative project) | In addition to high quality science achievable in the time available, the project must be suitable for the student’s skill level, whilst providing an appropriate level of challenge. It should give the student experience in a range of techniques and concepts. The application should also take into account provision of adequate resources to train and supervise the student. |
For full details, please see our guidance for applicants or contact us using the form below.
Funding
- Email:
- Send us an email