After You’ve Relocated to the UK
Richard Stapley Educational Trust Scholarships
This trust provides funding for mature students (aged 24 and above) pursuing postgraduate degrees in the UK, including PhDs.
🔗 stapleytrust.org
After Your First Year of Study
Graduate Women International Fellowships
After completing your first year, you can apply for fellowships through GWI, which supports women around the world pursuing advanced degrees.
🔗 graduatewomen.org
Year Three
British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
BFWG grants scholarships to women who are in their third year of doctoral research at a British university.
🔗 bfwg.org.uk
Final “Write-Up” Year
In your final year (or last two years for part-time students), you have access to new funding opportunities:
– Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust
Final-year PhD students can apply for this scholarship supporting international students studying in the UK.
🔗 fergusontrust.co.uk
– Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG)
Offers emergency and foundation grants for women facing financial difficulties in the final stages of their PhD.
🔗 ffwg.org.uk
– AAUW American Fellowships – Dissertation Completion Grant
Available to U.S. citizens in the last year of their dissertation writing. This grant can be used while studying in the UK.
🔗 aauw.org
– The Reid Trust for Women’s Education
Provides small grants to women advancing education for themselves or others, including doctoral students.
🔗 thereidtrust.co.uk
– The Witting Trust
Supports mature female students pursuing higher education. Those in their final year may qualify.
📄 Witting Trust Guidelines PDF
Depending on Your University
South, West and Wales (SWW) Doctoral Training Partnership
If your institution is part of this DTP, you may be eligible for studentships that include stipend support.
🔗 sww-ahdtp.ac.uk
Pursuing a PhD in the UK as an American can be financially challenging, but these resources can help—especially during those crucial final years. Be sure to review each grant’s eligibility requirements and check deadlines ahead of time. Reaching out to the administrators for clarification on any criteria or to confirm your eligibility is always a smart move before submitting an application.
