I'm from the Isle of Man and am interested in doing a PhD. However, I'm confused about funding. I'm not eligible for NERC funding as I don't count as a UK or EU citizen. I can apply for funding from the Manx government but have heard its difficult to gain and is often fees only. I was wondering if anyone has been/is in a similar situation and what the outcome was, or if anyone knows any alternative means of funding.

Isle of Man, despite an independent government, does belong to the UK. Hence, funding as UK member is available. If really questioned this, VERY unlikely IMHO, just move to the mainland UK (which you would do as PhD student in any case, I assume?) and state that you lived their for three years previously.

"independent parliament", not government.

Thanks for quick reply but having lived in the UK for the purposes of education does not count;

From NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) "The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the EU...A candidate from the Isle of Man will not have established eligibility for a NERC award through any period of residence in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland during which he or she has been in full-time education."

(Also, from gov.im, "Status: An internally self-governing dependent territory of the Crown which is not part of the United Kingdom" )

Unbelievable. And certainly not fair in terms of equal opportunities, IMO. That means, you are living in the middle of Europe, actually nearly in the UK but you are treated like someone from Madagascar in terms of the NERC??

Sorry that I wasn't of any help here, but I think they are just ridiculous.

Yeah, its stupid. Like I said, I can try and get postgrad funding from the government, but have heard this is difficult, although this is just hearsay, I don't actually know anyone from home who has done a PhD. I also don't know what position funding bodies for other subjects take. If I make it clear that I can only get funding from the government (as far as I am aware) then it may be easier to be awarded it... But I really need to find someone who knows! Or just pester the government, but I've never found them to be particularly helpful!

There is some information on their website, apparently they support about 120 postgrads per year. Maintenance payments are £7190 pa outside London, and £9270 inside.; unless you are over 30, in which case they only pay for fees. They spent £2.2m in maintenance grants and £7.1m in tuition fees, which does suggest that most awards are fees only, although they are all means tested.

I guess the most sensible option then is internal institutional funding. Not as prestigious, and some do still use the research council rules, but it is more discretionary. if you can find a uni to accept your project that offers internal funding you stand a much better chance. What exactly are you hoping to do?

also, what is your citizenship? what sort of passport(s) do you have? if you have (perhaps a second) EU citizenship, then you can't be treated differently to other EU citizens, that is, the clause that "residency for sake of education does not count" would not apply to you.

and then, the exact requirements change faster than the NERC guidelines. you could check out www.ukcosa.org and/or call them, they can be very helpful.