Vacation scholarship funding opportunities
Vacation scholarships provide students with an excellent opportunity to sample real-life research (independent from assessed work) and are particularly useful for students considering postgraduate research degrees.
Psychology students who are interested in gaining research experience during the summer vacation should contact a member of staff in the first instance. Staff members are not obliged to take on vacation students. If the staff member is interested in providing research experience, the student should then apply for scholarship funding in collaboration with the researcher.Below is a list of potential schemes, which vary greatly in eligibility (e.g. year of study). Please note that most of the deadlines are early in the year (especially January to March).
Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
To enable undergraduates to undertake supervised research projects, which fall within the field of animal behaviour, lasting from 1 to 8 weeks during academic vacations. Undergraduates may also apply for awards for work to be carried out in the vacation immediately following graduation.
Deadlines: 1 March 2012, 1 July 2012 and 1 November 2012.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Purpose: to give promising undergraduates a first-hand opportunity to gain greater experience of research in the biosciences; to raise the profile of research careers amongst undergraduate students; to interest students in postgraduate research in strategically important areas for BBSRC.
Deadlines: Apply to the University of St Andrews Undergraduate Research Internship Programme and ask your supervisor to state in the supporting letter that the project falls within the BBSRC remit.
British Association for Psychopharmacology
Applications for the 2011 in vivo Training initiative funds are now welcomed (up to 8 summer vacation student projects at £500/award). Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate access to other supporting funds in the form of a summer vacation scholarship and/or commitment of matched funding from the host institution.
Deadline: 1 May 2012.
British Psychological Society
Awards will be made to researchers to allow them to provide an undergraduate with 'hands-on' experience of research during the summer vacation, to gain an insight into scientific research and to encourage them to consider an academic career.
Deadline: 9 March 2012.
British Society for Neuroendocrinology
To provide some financial support for a student who undertakes a vacation lab project. Undergraduate students or students immediately after graduation or prior to starting MSc or PhD studies are eligible. Awards will be £130 per week for a maximum of 8 weeks.
Deadline: 15 May 2012.
Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
Undergraduates attending a Scottish University, who were born in Scotland or who have a parent born in Scotland or who have at least two years of secondary education in Scotland, may be considered for the award of a Vacation Scholarship, usually in the vacation between their second and third year.
Deadline: Nominees can come from any Faculty and nominations by Deans must be received by 1 April 2012.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Our vacation bursary programme provides funding for undergraduate students to gain first-hand experience of research. We do not invite individual applications for vacation bursaries. The awarding university is responsible for administering all aspects of the award including selection of a suitable undergraduate student.
Deadline: Apply to the University of St Andrews Undergraduate Research Internship Programme and ask your supervisor to state in the supporting letter that the project falls within the EPSRC remit.
Experimental Psychology Society
This scheme will finance a limited number of bursaries (5) to support undergraduates in the summer vacation immediately prior to their final year. Awards will be made to members of the Society and will provide up to 10 weeks’ support (£200 per week) for their nominated undergraduate.
Deadline: 14 March 2012.
Institute for Behavioural and Neural Sciences (IBANS)
Applications are invited for IBANS vacation scholarships. Each scholarship will provide funding of up to £2000 to include a stipend of at least £150 per week. The scholarship is available to undergraduate students in any year of study who wish spend time conducting an independent research project with a St Andrews IBANS member.
Deadline: 1st May 2012.
Medical Research Scotland
Medical Research Scotland Vacation Scholarships provide promising undergraduates with hands-on experience of research for a 6 - 8-week period during the summer vacation and have the aim of encouraging them to consider a career in research. They provide a weekly stipend of £180, plus £50 per week for the sponsoring laboratory.
Deadline: 17 January 2013.
Physiological Society
Vacation Studentships offer undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of full-time study, in a higher education institute or equivalent, the opportunity to undertake physiological research projects. Vacation studentships are available for a maximum of eight weeks at a rate of no more than £150 per week.
Deadline: 1 April 2012.
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)
UFAW aims to encourage students to develop their interests in animal welfare and their abilities for animal welfare research. Animal Welfare Student Scholarship consists of £170 per week subsistence allowance for the Scholar plus £30 per week to the department for departmental expenses (for up to 8 weeks).
Deadline: 28 February 2012.
University of St Andrews Undergraduate Research Internships
Under the Undergraduate Research Internship Programme, the University of St Andrews funds 20 undergraduates to carry out research over ten weeks during the summer vacation. The students work on independent projects under the guidance and supervision of a member of academic staff.
Deadline: Details of how to apply for the 2012 URIP scheme will be available in February 2012.
Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarships
These awards provide promising undergraduates with hands-on experience of research during the summer vacation, with the aim of encouraging them to consider a career in research. Scholarships are available for up to eight weeks' work and currently provide a stipend of £180 (£190 in London) per week.
Deadline: 17 February 2012.