Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded PhD in UK or Ireland

Applications for the 2026 Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship are now open for all international students. Astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell launched the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Institute of Physics.

It aims to support full-time or part-time graduates who wish to pursue a doctoral degree (PhD) in physics and are from groups currently underrepresented in the field.

The fund is administered by the IOP, drawing on Dame Bell Burnell’s endowment (about £2.3 million) to ensure sustainability.

It’s designed explicitly for physics departments/schools in the UK and Ireland that meet specific accreditation (e.g., Juno or Athena SWAN awards).

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Summary

Benefits of the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship

Here’s what winners of the scholarship typically receive:

• Financial support toward a PhD in physics, including fees, living support, and additional costs (such as accessibility or carer‐related support) if needed.
• Flexibility: The award can cover full-time or part-time study.
• The funding is tied to the student, so if you move universities (within eligible institutions), the support moves with you.
• Membership of the IOP (some costs covered) and access to a network of past recipients and alumni.

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Eligibility Requirements for the Bell-Burnell PhD Scholarship

Here are the main eligibility criteria:

• You must be a graduate who wishes to study toward a doctoral programme (PhD) in physics (or physics‐related topic) at a recognised degree‐awarding institution.
• The host institution’s physics department/faculty must hold a Juno or Athena SWAN award on the date the student commences their studies, and the institution must reside in UK or Ireland.
• You must be from a group that is underrepresented in physics. The IOP’s definition (for now) includes:
  • Women
  • Students of Black-Caribbean, Black-African, and other minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME)
  • Students with disabilities or requiring additional inclusive learning support
  • LGBT+ students
  • Students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may struggle to find funding
  • People with a qualifying refugee status who meet the above criteria
• The programme can be full-time or part-time.

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Required Documents for Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

1. A research proposal for your PhD (topic, supervisor, institution)
2. An academic offer or a conditional offer from the university for the PhD programme (or evidence that you will apply)
3. A personal statement or statement of motivation describing:
   • Why do you wish to undertake a PhD
   • Which underrepresented group do you identify with, and how do you meet eligibility requirements?
   • How the award would benefit you and how you might act as an ambassador for the scheme
4. Evidence of academic qualifications (BSc, MSc if applicable) and research experience (especially if applying with a BSc only)
5. Supervisor support letter (or details of a lead supervisor)
6. Details of the hosting institution/department, including that it holds the required accreditation (Juno/Athena SWAN)
7. Additional considerations may include accessibility needs and carer responsibilities (if relevant) to provide extra support.

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How to Apply for the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship

1. Identify an eligible physics PhD programme at a UK or Ireland institution whose physics department holds Juno/Athena SWAN accreditation.
2. Secure an offer of admission (or be about to apply) to the PhD programme.
3. Prepare the application for the fund: fill in the IOP application form (downloadable from their site).
4. Provide supporting documents: research proposal, supervisor support, personal statement, qualifications, etc (as above).
5. Apply by the deadline. Late applications are usually not accepted.
6. The IOP will review applications for eligibility (Stage 1), then conduct a panel assessment (Stage 2), and subsequently shortlist candidates for interviews (Stage 3).
7. If awarded, you’ll receive the grant and need to report progress during your PhD as required by IOP (progress reports).

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Application Timeline for Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

Here are the key dates for the 2025-26 cycle:

• 15 October 2025: Application opening date.
• 8 December 2025, 12pm-1pm (UK time): Panel Q&A webinar for applicants.
• 19 January 2026: Application submission deadline (5pm UK time).
• 20 January – 9 February 2026: Stage 1: Grants Manager review for eligibility.
• 11 February – 1 March 2026: Stage 2: Panel’s assessment of eligible applications.
• 14 February – 1 March 2026: Stage 1 unsuccessful applicants notified.
• 9-23 March 2026: Stage 3: Interviews of shortlisted applicants; panel selects awardees.
• End of April 2026: All interview candidates notified of outcome.

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