British Library Scholarships 2014-15 - Call for Applications
The scheme
The University of Sheffield provides two studentships per annum to allow students to undertake a PhD research degree at the University of Sheffield on a three-year project (in the arts and humanities or social sciences) for which access to the holdings of the British Library, and to the expertise of its curatorial staff, is essential.
The two studentships for entry at the beginning of the 2014-15 academic year will be awarded on the basis of applications received from potential supervisors at the University of Sheffield. The application form can be downloaded from the box on the right of this page.
The studentships will pay the UK/EU tuition fees, a maintenance stipend at the standard RCUK rate and a Research Training Support Grant. The studentships are open to UK, EU and Overseas students - Overseas students will need to fund the difference between the UK/EU and Overseas fees.
Assessment of applications
Applications will be assessed with particular reference to:
- the quality of the proposed project (including a clear statement of its objectives);
- the case made for the contribution of British Library resources and staff;
- the quality and value of the research training offered by the project;
- the relationship of the project to the stated research priorities and strategy of the host department.
Applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of the Directors and/or Deputy Directors of Research for Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences, and British Library´s Head of Arts and Humanities, Dr Kristian Jensen.
Completing the application form
Section 1: Principal Supervisor. While it is anticipated that there may well be more than one member of University of Sheffield staff involved in the supervision of the prospective student, only the name of the lead supervisor should be provided here.
Section 4: British Library Supervisor. It is the responsibility of the University of Sheffield principal supervisor to identify an appropriate supervisor among British Library curatorial staff, and to secure the agreement of that member of staff to be named as a co-supervisor. Please ensure before applying that the co-supervisor has undertaken the appropriate British Library procedures for approval of their involvement in the reserach.
Section 6: Description of Research. The description of the research project to be undertaken should be no longer than 500 words, and should include: a clear statement of the objectives of the project; an account of the expertise of the supervisory team (including details of relevant publications); and an explanation of the importance to the project of British Library collections and expertise.
Section 8: Research Training and Facilities. This section should provide details of the general training policy and practice of the University supervisor’s department, and also of the project-specific training that will be provided. This section should also be used to identify facilities available to the prospective student, such as specialist library (other than British Library) or other facilities, access to computing equipment etc.
Section 10: Head of Department Supporting Statement. The supporting statement should include a brief comment on how the project fits with the department’s/school’s research strategy. No application can be accepted without the approval of the Head of Department or equivalent authority. The Head of Department should also rank departmental bids if more than one is submitted.
Deadline for applications: 12 noon on 29 November 2013
Completed applications should be emailed to pgr-scholarships@sheffield.ac.uk. We aim to let all applicants know the outcome by the end of January 2014.