Hi,

I'm aware that there are various trusts and funding bodies which offer phd studentships with enhanced stipends for graduates with top grades. Does anyone know of a website which provides information on trusts such as these, as it seems pretty difficult to find out about many of them? I havn't graduated yet, so I dont even know if I'm going to get a good enough grade to apply for them, but I dont want to start my phd, only to find out later on that I could have applied for one! It would be particularly useful if there were some website with info about enhanced funding for phds abroad (i.e. not in the UK in my case), as, would I be right in thinking, its more difficult to get funding for phds abroad?

Thanks to anyone who can help

Hello?

You will generally find that any form of PhD stipend requires a graduate to have 'top grades', those who do not don't get funding - simple as. Furthermore, a condition of most funding is that you do not have funding from another source (ie you cannot receive funding from 2 research councils or from a university and funding council). As such, I do not know - and I would hazard a guess that most people here do not know - what you mean by 'enhanced stipend'.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'enhanced funding' either. Primarily, you should be concerned with securing your general funding, and not necessarily be looking for top-ups. To my knowledge, I don't know of any general bodies that offer a type of additional funding for graduates with top grades.

I have heard of ESRC enhanced funding. This is for students doing PhDs in areas which are under-represented such as large scale quantitative/longitudinal social science research. I think it is £3000 more than the ESRC pays for a normal studentship.

Like everyone else I have never heard of enhanced funding for having 'top grades', and I also agree that you should concentrate on getting any kind of funding before worrying about enhanced funding.

Thanks alot for the replies.  I am surprised that no-one seems to be aware of these enhanced stipends; I suppose this shows that they are not at all well advertised. The Welcome Trust are the only organisation I am aware of which actively advertise them.  More definitely do exist, though, as I have friends who have applied to several. One such friend has been told about 4 or 5 by her supervisor and is in the process of applying for them.  Admittedly she is very smart and the top in her year for Chemistry. I have been encouraged to apply for an specific enhanced stipend phd by one of my lecturers, having shown interest and aptitude for the lecture course she was teaching.  In fact, it was this which first made me aware there were such phds available.

It would seem that talking to academics is the best way to find out about these enhanced stipends. This is fine, but as I am yet to decide on an area to specialise in it would be useful if there were a resource which provided info on all the different ones available, as being offered one might sway my decision.

Im sure there is alot of extra funding out there if you know where to look, and not just for phds.  This friend I mentioned has had a steady income of more than £1000 for each year she has been an undergraduate from various prizes she has received from her uni, foundations, pharmaceutical sponsorship etc. I was lucky enough to get a several thousand pounds from a foundation during my second year, and I am by no means top in my year.  I hope I have not come across big headed in any way by posting this; I was simply hoping someone might know a way of tapping into this enhanced funding which I know is out there somewhere. (btw I was badgered by my lecturer to apply for the studentship I was awarded as I thought I didnt have a chance of getting it - they were looking for "exceptional students" - so I recon these extended stipends are definitely worth thinking about if you have decent grades and are prepared to work hard on a project proposal (and if you can find them!))

These are a pure science thing. Many people on here (the majority?) are not scientists so they won't know about them, in which case your slightly patronising spin on things probably won't be appreciated.
Getting on science PhDs is very different to getting on, say, arts and humanities PhDs, where unless you've top grades you probably won't see a penny (and indeed, quite often you won't despite the top grades).
Be grateful that these are on offer, but try not to rub them in other peoples faces....

pamplemousse, my intention was not in any way meant to patronise, just as I would like to think that your intention was not to imply that I am boasting about my academic achievements on an internet forum. 

Nearly all my friends who are doing/planning to do a phd are scientists, which is why I assumed most people on this forum would be in a similar situation to me. As I understand it funding is much more difficult to find for non scientists, so I can see why my asking for enhanced funding may seem pretty insensitive, and that suggesting it is attainable if you really want it may be seen as patronising.  I apologise if anyone took it this way, but as I was talking about Chemistry friend I would be quite surprised if they did (I study biology). I only mentioned the fact I had been awarded a studentship to point out that this money is aviable, and that you dont need to need to be a genius with super high grades to get it.

In any case, my question still stands, so if anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

It's a good idea to start bit by bit, secure your first funding and so on...Also, since u r in the field (of science) naturally your profs and/or peers are well placed to provide information.

As for other issues, yes, I agree, it is a totally different ball game for arts, social sciences, and then for those outside the EU, who need to pay full tuition and have no access to even research council funding (and I am one of these)

So, all in all, the going is very tough, and it is often a dream to think of any kinds of extra boosts or enhancements (which more often than not, come for some of us, in the form of slightly crappy part time jobs...)

Best.

Mojopin85, your question may have fostered a more fruitful response has you named your discipline in the title. I'd hazard a guess that there are less scientists than non-scientists on this forum, and therefore, you'll be given quite generic responses.

If you ultimately want the most lucrative funding deal look towards the private sector, you'll be able to get more than a top-up/enhancement, but in my experience, additional funding comes with additional responsibilities.