Scholarship Value:

• Up to £5,500 for each of the two available studentships.
• This can be a significant financial boost to help cover research expenses, conference fees, or living costs during your PhD program.

Eligibility:

• Citizenship is not a restriction: As long as you meet the registration requirements, you can be a Bangladeshi student or a student from any other Commonwealth country.
• Registered at a UK university: If you are a Bangladeshi student currently enrolled in a PhD program at a UK university, then you can apply for the studentship dedicated to students in UK universities.
• Registered at an ACU member university in Bangladesh: Bangladesh has several ACU member universities. If you are a Bangladeshi PhD student registered at one of these universities, you are eligible to apply.
• Chevening/Commonwealth Scholar: If you are a Bangladeshi student who received a Chevening or Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a PhD at a university outside the UK in the Commonwealth, then you are also eligible.
• Two Streams: There are two ways to qualify:
  
  • UK University Registration: You must be registered for a PhD program at a university located in the United Kingdom.
  • Commonwealth & ACU Membership: You must be registered for a PhD program at an ACU member university in a Commonwealth country (excluding the UK) OR be a Chevening/Commonwealth Scholar pursuing a PhD at any university outside the UK within the Commonwealth.
    
    • Check ACU Membership: Use the ACU website to see if your university is a member.

Research Focus:

• Commonwealth-Themed: Your PhD research must be directly connected to the Commonwealth in one of these ways:
  
  • Focus on the Commonwealth as a whole: This could involve the Commonwealth’s history, governance, development challenges, or its cultural impact.
  • Research a Commonwealth Institution/Organization: This might involve the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat, a specific commission, or another relevant body.
  • Comparative Analysis Across Commonwealth Countries: This allows you to compare and contrast policies, social issues, or economic trends within different Commonwealth nations.

Mentorship:

Applicants must find and collaborate with a mentor at a university in a Commonwealth nation other than their home country as part of the studentship requirements. This person should be an authority in a field related to the applicant’s research area and be available to offer guidance and support throughout the studentship.

Throughout the studentship, the mentor will be expected to meet virtually with the student at least twice. They are expected to communicate with the student via email, sharing their experiences in related fields, offering guidance on publications, events, and industry trends, and pushing the student to think outside the box.

Post-Award Requirements:

• Publication and Podcast: If you are awarded a studentship, you’ll be required to:
  
  • Submit an article (4,000-6,000 words) based on your research for possible publication in “The Round Table” journal (within 12 months of receiving the award).
  • Create a podcast discussing your research for publication on the journal’s website.

Application Process:

• Check out below to see what are required to submit to confirm application
• Refer to the official ACU website for application deadlines, required documents and the application process itself.

The application deadline is July 31, 2024. If you’re interested, begin researching the Commonwealth theme for your PhD and gather necessary documents well before the deadline. Check with your university’s graduate program office or research department for guidance on applying for this scholarship. When you prepare your application, clearly explain how your research project aligns with the Commonwealth theme.