Funding fieldwork
Funding Fieldwork: PhD students
Financial support for fieldwork is available from a number of sources, both outside and within the University. All funds are competitive and require application and, in most cases, the support of your supervisor. For those seeking funds for a current programme of study you should consult the University of Cambridge Funding Search here.
Grants from the Wyse Fieldwork Fund are allocated on the basis of demonstrated need. It is expected that you will have applied to all other plausible sources (eg eligible students must apply to the Smuts Memorial Fund) and, in applying, you need to show that your expected expenses are justified by your research objectives – a well-argued research proposal is essential. You will also need a specific and detailed budget, including details of existing financial support and other grants you have applied for. The deadline for applications is 1 June 2011 (2012 deadline to be confirmed). An application form may be obtained here.
The Richards Fund provides studentships or grants for graduate students registered for a course of field research in the Division of Social Anthropology. The Division interprets this to be for PhD students (whether their first year of training was pre-field training or the MRes) embarking on field research in their second year of study. An application form can be obtained here, or from the Secretary to the Richards Fund, Social Anthropology, and returned to the office, for the attention of the Secretary of the Richards Fund, Social Anthropology, Free School Lane. The aim of the Fund is to assist with fieldwork. The deadline for applications is 2 March 2012.
The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology administers two funds that support research, including field research, in particular regions:
- The Evans Fund for South East Asia (information and application form from Secretary to the Evans Fund, Social Anthropology; email socanth-admin [at] lists.cam.ac.uk). Closing date for Evans Fund: 1 March 2012.
- The Frederick Williamson Memorial Fund for the Himalayan region (information and applications to the Secretary of the Williamson Fund Managers, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ). Closing date for Williamson Fund: 15 March annually.
The Smuts Memorial Fund provides grants for PhD students at Cambridge in support of fieldwork on Commonwealth issues. These grants usually take the form of assistance towards the costs of travel, fieldwork or audio-visual fieldwork equipment. Graduate students can apply for one grant during their period of stay. Applications are considered by a Sub-Committee of the Managers which meets termly to recommend awards to the Managers. The Managers do not provide funding for postgraduate fees or maintenance, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. Further information about the Smuts Fund can be had from the Administrator to the Managers of the Smuts Memorial Fund, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RZ.