A new round of scholarships worth up to £1.5 million has been launched by the University of Aberdeen.
The 2016/17 Elphinstone Scholarships will meet the tuition costs of the highest achieving PhD applicants drawn from the UK and around the world.
Named in honour of the University’s founder, Bishop William Elphinstone, the awards are open to students of all nationalities and will fund up to 100 places.
The scholarship scheme began two years ago, in recognition of the 500th anniversary of the death of Bishop Elphinstone, and since then it has supported 139 students from all corners of the globe.
In addition to the Elphinstone awards, 25 Partnership Scholarships will also be created supported jointly by the University and industry partners.
Professor Bryan MacGregor, Vice-Principal for Research, said: “The University has an outstanding history of pioneering discoveries which have changed thinking and practice in medicine, science, arts and humanities over five centuries.
“Aberdeen offers a unique and inspiring environment for postgraduate students seeking a career in research.
“We are delighted to be able to support gifted postgraduate students through the Elphinstone Scholarships and Partnership Scholarships.
A previous recipient of an Elphinstone scholarship is Claire Hein Blanton, from Houston, Texas, who is working towards a PhD in Divinity.
She said:“I came to the University of Aberdeen because the theology program is one of the strongest in the world. The department has a reputation of taking the discipline seriously and pressing its students to ask what the importance of their study is in the outside world, which is an important distinction. I didn’t want to go to a program that would be academically rigorous but not care about public engagement - the divinity department manages to do both.
“Fees for international students are substantial so the Elphinstone Scholarship has been very helpful. Having the ability to conduct my studies without the worry of seeking employment means that I am able to treat my project as my full time job.
“Following graduation I plan to seek employment either in higher education or engaging in research on church-state relations, and the University is helping to prepare me for this. I am trying to take advantage of the various workshops that are on offer, and my skill set for research, writing, and presentation will be very strong when I leave because of the opportunities I am finding here.”
Further details of the Elphinstone Scholarships and how to apply can be found at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-study/elphinstone-phd-scholarships-266.php