Applications are open for the 2025 Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentships! With a focus on the Commonwealth, these esteemed studentships provide up to £5,500 each to encourage innovative PhD research in the social sciences and humanities.
📅 When is the Application Deadline:
31 July 2025 at 15:00 UTC
Applications opened on 12 May 2025.
📘 Tell Me About The Award:
The Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentships support PhD research related to the Commonwealth in the humanities and social sciences. The program is jointly run by The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, Routledge, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
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It funds two doctoral studentships, each worth up to £5,500, and includes mentorship, publication opportunities, and a podcast feature.
🧠 Which Fields are Eligible?
A wide range of humanities and social science disciplines, with preference for:
- Politics
- International Relations
- Economics
- International History
- Law
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Area Studies
Note: STEM applicants will only be considered if their proposal includes a policy-related Commonwealth focus.
🏷️ Type:
- PhD Studentship
- Research Grant
- Mentorship and Publication Support
👤 Who can Apply?
- PhD students currently enrolled at:
- A UK university, or
- An ACU member university in a Commonwealth country outside the UK
Students may come from any Commonwealth country, as long as they meet the enrollment criteria above.
🧾 How are Applicants Selected?Selection is based on:
- Relevance of the research to Commonwealth themes
- Quality and originality of the proposed research
- Potential impact
- Clarity on how the studentship will support the applicant’s research
- Feasibility of working with a mentor in another Commonwealth country
Shortlisted candidates must also provide:
- Two academic references (one from PhD supervisor)
- A letter of support from a mentor (if awarded)
🌍 Which Countries Are Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be registered at:
- Any UK university, or
- Any ACU member university in a Commonwealth country outside the UK
View the full list of ACU member universities here.
📍 Where will the Award be Taken?
- At the applicant’s current university (UK or other Commonwealth country)
- Collaboration must occur with a mentor in a different Commonwealth country.
🔢 How Many Awards?
- Two (2) studentships:
- One for a student in the UK
- One for a student in another Commonwealth country
🎁 What is the Benefit of the Award?
- Up to £5,500 GBP in funding
- Mentorship with a senior researcher in another Commonwealth country (with £500 honorarium for mentors)
- Article submission (4,000–6,000 words) to The Round Table journal
- Podcast opportunity based on your research
- Networking and international exposure across the Commonwealth
⏳ How Long Will the Award Last?
- There is no fixed duration, but the award typically supports research over several months and includes at least two mentorship meetings during the studentship.
📝 How to Apply for the :
- Review the Application Guidance
- Download the application form in either PDF or Word format.
- Prepare:
- Your research summary (100–400 words)
- Intended outcomes
- Likely impact
- How the award will benefit you
- Name of proposed mentor
- Send the completed form and CV to:
📧 [email protected] - Ensure your two referees send reference letters directly to the same email.
🔗 Visit the Award Webpage for Details:
👉 Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentships
