Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarships at the University of Sheffield
Important Update from Wellcome Trust.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wellcome has decided to cancel the Biomedical Vacation Scholarship scheme for 2020. The scheme will re-open in 2021. If you have any questions relating to an existing application, please contact WTVacation@sheffield.ac.uk
The University is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant to provide Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarships for the summer vacation periods of 2020 - 2024. The Scholarship provides the opportunity for an undergraduate to gain a paid, first-hand experience of research working in cutting-edge research facilities at the University of Sheffield.
The University of Sheffield will aim to host six of these scholarships each year.
We recognise that financial, socio-economic and other circumstances can make it difficult for some to continue studying beyond an undergraduate degree. A key priority of the Biomedical Vacation Scholarship is to provide research opportunities for groups that are currently underrepresented in postgraduate research. As such, we aim to award at least 50% of these scholarships to individuals currently underrepresented.
Applicants who do not meet any of these criteria are still eligible to apply.
Projects must take place at the University of Sheffield over a 6 to 8 week period during the summer vacation. All potential applicants must contact an academic member of staff at the University of Sheffield and have the agreement to work on a project in place before applying to this scheme.
The Scholarship |
The Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarship provides the successful applicant with knowledge and experience in a professional research setting, useful for supporting applications for postgraduate study and postgraduate employment. It also provides:
Successful applicants will be registered as employees at the University and will be required to complete eligibility to work checks before the project starts. |
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Projects |
All potential applicants must contact an academic member of staff at the University of Sheffield and have the agreement to work on a specific project in place before applying to this scheme. Approaching a potential supervisor can feel daunting, but most academics will be happy to talk to enthusiastic students about their area of research. Many academics have small projects which are suitable for undergraduate students to work on over a short period. They often look for students who are interested and show enthusiasm for their area of research and have an open mind to try the project they have on offer. Equally, if a student has already formed an idea for a project which aligns with their research, it demonstrates that they will be engaged with the project and that is also desirable. Regardless of whether you have a particular project in mind or just a broad area of research, it is good to contact a potential supervisor as soon as possible. An email is a good starting point, but one where you outline the scholarship (some potential supervisors may not be aware of the scheme) and suggest a phone call to discuss your ideas. To help you find a potential supervisor for your Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarship project, please use the supervisor search tool. This tool is designed for potential postgraduate students, but many of the supervisors featured are happy to support undergraduate students with vacation scholarships. |
Eligibility and suitability |
To apply you must: We are particularly interested in applications from students who meet one or more of the following criteria: • a mature student (aged 21 or over when they started their first undergraduate course); Please note, you are ineligible to apply if you: Successful applicants will be registered as a member of staff at the University of Sheffield for the duration of the project and will be required to complete eligibility to work checks before the project commences. |
How to apply |
The scheme has been cancelled in 2020 as a result of Covid-19. It will run again in 2021. You will need to complete an application form and obtain a reference from your tutor. These must be completed on the templates available to download from the right. Completed application forms and references must be uploaded to this google form. The google form also contains equality and diversity and widening participation information. All applications will be assessed based on academic merit and potential to do research in biomedical sciences, as evidenced on academic record and answers provided in application form (e.g. motivation, contribution to host lab, skills to be gained). We will be in touch on the outcome of your application by e-mail. Please ensure that your email is entered correctly. |
The Wellcome Trust has taken the decision to cancel the Biomedical Vacation Scholarship Scheme for 2020 as a result of the rapidy developing situation surrounding COVID-19. The scheme will run again in 2021.
Any queries please email: WTVacation@sheffield.ac.uk
Privacy information:
The University of Sheffield takes the security and integrity of all the personal data it holds seriously. The University's privacy notice can be found here.
For all applicants, your data will be kept for the duration of the Scholarship Programme (a minimum period of 5 years) for planning and reporting purposes. It will not be published or used in a way that identifies you.
If you are successful in securing a place on the Scholarship Programme, your personal data will also form the basis of your record of employment.
The University makes certain statutory disclosures of information and your data may be used for those purposes. Your data will be used to report specifically to Wellcome on the Scholarship Programme.