Scholars at Risk/Scholars from States in Crisis bursary programme

The Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth (BaL) in collaboration with Scholars at Risk are offering a fully-funded three year PhD scholarship in any area of research within the remit of the Faculty to scholars at risk or scholars from states in crisis.

The bursary programme is intended to enable an enthusiastic, committed and suitably qualified scholar to engage with cutting edge research and make a substantial scholarly contribution to the field of his / her study. At the same time, it is expected that the research outputs of the successful applicant will have the potential of generating a lasting positive impact on the local and national communities he / she belongs to.

The standard deadline to express an interest for the SaR Bursary Programme is 1 August, with the expectation that the successful applicant will take up the post at the start of the academic year the following October. Given the nature of the programme and the precarious personal circumstances of potential applicants, the Faculty will make every effort to consider applications outside the normal cycle whenever possible. 

Interested scholars should apply through the University of Portsmouth online application system. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and, if successful, their eligibility for the bursary will be determined by Scholars at Risk. 

For informal enquiries about the Programme, interested scholars can contact the BaL SaR Bursary Academic Lead Dr Panos Kapotas.

SaR Bursary Programme: Description and scope  

The SaR Bursary Programme will offer the successful applicant the opportunity to engage in a three-year full-time PhD study. The successful applicant will be expected to reside in / near to Portsmouth. All university fees will be covered in full, in addition to a monthly stipend (which will amount to approximately £14k per annum) towards living expenses.

The specific topic of the PhD must be in an area that BaL members of staff have an expertise in or are engaged with, so as to ensure effective supervision arrangements. The fit of the proposed research with BaL staff expertise and interests, as well as the applicant’s knowledge of the proposed area of study, will be determined on the basis of the research proposal and, for shortlisted applicants, on the basis of an interview. Due to the nature of the SaR Bursary Programme it is expected that preference will be given to research in areas or on topics that may generate considerable positive impact in the state or community-ies the applicant is affiliated with.  

The research proposal should be approximately 2,000 – 3000 words. Please consult the Postgraduate Research Proposal Guide on how to write the research proposal.

Person specification 

Applicants are generally expected to meet the minimum entry requirements for PhD study at BaL.

Applicants are expected to have a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree in an area of study relevant to their proposed PhD topic. Preference is likely be given to applicants with a Master's degree in a relevant area of study.

Due to the nature and aims of the SaR Bursary Programme, preference will be given to applicants that are “at risk” (according to the Scholars at Risk evaluation process). 

Applicants must have a good command of English (IELTS level 7 or equivalent) and shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide evidence of written work in English. The successful applicant may be required to attend an English language course at the University of Portsmouth as a condition of the offer under the Bursary Programme.  

How to apply

Applications for the SaR Bursary Programme may be considered on a rolling basis, depending on circumstances (including whether a bursary for the current academic year has been awarded or not), but applicants are generally expected to submit a formal application by 30 June. 

Applications should include:

• Research proposal (2000-3000 words)
• CV
• Personal statement outlining the applicant’s at-risk status. Applicants are encouraged to consider the Scholars at Risk guidance on how to write a risk statement. 

Applicants must note at the top of their personal statement that they apply for the Scholars at Risk Bursary Programme and note that the application should be directed to the BaL SaR Academic Lead, Dr Panos Kapotas. 

Applications will initially be reviewed by the BaL SaR Academic Lead in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Research (DDPGR) of the relevant Department or School. The Faculty Director of Postgraduate Research (FDPGR) and the BaL Associate Dean (R&I) may also be consulted if necessary to explore the alignment of research proposals with the strategic priorities and the research capacity of the Faculty.    

Scholars at Risk will consider the “at-risk” status of shortlisted applicants according to their own definition and procedure. 

Shortlisted eligible applicants will be invited to attend a remote interview as soon as possible after the closing date.   

The successful applicant is normally expected to take up post at the start of the new academic year (1^st October).  

For further information about the Bursary Programme, clarifications on the eligibility criteria or queries regarding possible topics, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the BaL SaR Academic Lead (Dr Panos Kapotas panos.kapotas@port.ac.uk).