Sources of Funding for Current Research Students

If you are seeking financial assistance for attending a conference, for undertaking research outside of Aberdeen, or simply to support your existing studies, the following sources of funding might be of help.

The CB Davidson Fund

The CB Davidson Fund has sometimes made awards to students who in in the later stages of their studies and who are experiencing financial hardship or who are wishing to undertake research or attend conferences outside of the UK. Awards, except in exceptional circumstances, will not exceed £2,500 and in most instances will be less.  The closing dates for applications to the CB Davidson Fund are 31st March and 30th September each year. Further details and an application form are available at: www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/cb_davidson.shtml.

The Clark Foundation

The Clark Foundation has sometimes provided financial support to existing research students. In order to be eligible, your research must fall under the Trust's purposes: supporting research into any aspect of Scots law and/or its relationship with other legal systems or institutions within the European Community. The deadline for applications is normally the end of March in the year in which you wish to commence study. The scheme is administered by Tods Murray, a firm of solicitors (www.todsmurray.com). You can email them for an application form at clarkfoundation@todsmurray.com.

The Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS)

The ORSAS awards grants on a competitive basis to international postgraduate research students of outstanding merit and research potential. Applications can be made after you have commenced your studies. Each award will cover the difference between the tuition fee for a home (UK) postgraduate student and the fee chargeable to an overseas postgraduate student. The deadline for applications is normally the end of January of the year in which you wish to commence study. This scheme used to be administered by a central ORSAS office but is now administered from within the University of Aberdeen.  Further details and an application form are available here: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/download.hti (scroll down to the heading "postgraduate forms" and look for the link to "overseas research scholarships").

Carnegie Trust

Graduates of Scottish universities who are current research students may be able to apply for a Carnegie Research Grant for travel and subsistence expenses. See http://www.carnegie-trust.org/our_schemes2.htm for further details.

The John Reid Trust

This trust exists primarily to support Aberdeen University graduates to continue their studies outside of Scotland. However, it has in the past few years given small sums in support of Aberdeen research postgraduates to enable them to take up invitations to present their work in conferences outside of Scotland, and will continue to consider such applications. Although the criteria refer only to Arts and Science graduates, the law school has been advised that the Trust's Governors will also consider applications from law graduates. Further details are available here. Alternatively, an application form may be obtained from the College Office, College of Arts and Social Sciences (01224 274540) or emailing Mr Mike Roberts. If you have any queries about the trust please contact Mr Roberts through the above email or phone number.

Law School Conference Support

The Law School itself has some resources available to support conference attendance and participation by current research postgradute students. An application form can be downloaded here and must be submitted at least one month before the deadline for payment of any conference fee. The resources available are limited and support cannot be guaranteed.