Russell Trust Awards (Postgraduate Research)

Application period opens
Thursday 1 October 2026
Application period closes
Sunday 31 January 2027
Notification date
The week commencing Monday 15 February 2027

The Fife-based Russell Trust was founded in memory of Captain Pat Russell, an alumnus of the University of St Andrews who was killed in the Second World War. The Trust has been a supporter of the University for many years, providing generous contributions to fund scholarships, and provide resources for Library computer clusters, Museums of the University of St Andrews and underwater archaeological research.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, up to £10,000 of funding will be made available by the Russell Trust to postgraduate research students who require funds to travel in order to further a project connected with their studies. The maximum amount that can be awarded to any one student is £1,500.

There are two rounds of applications:

  • Semester 1 application deadline: 31 January 2027
  • Semester 2 application deadline: 31 May 2027

Value of award (per year)

Up to £1,500

Duration of award

One-off payment

Application restrictions

Study level

Available to students studying at:

Postgraduate research

Subjects

Available to students studying:

No restrictions

Domicile for fee status

No restrictions

Schools

Available to students in the following Schools and Departments:

Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, Divinity, Earth and Environmental Sciences, English, Film Studies, Geography and Sustainable Development, History, International Relations, Mathematics and Statistics, Medicine, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology and Neuroscience, Social Anthropology, Business School, International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute

Application assessment

Evidence based (e.g. sport/music/travel)

Available to

Current students

Mode of study

Full time, Part time - daytime, Online

Geographical criteria

No restrictions

Additional criteria

To be considered for an award applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be registered for a PhD programme at the University (full-time or part-time). Students registered on Masters by Research programmes or Taught Masters programmes (Postgraduate Diploma, MSc, MRes, MLitt, MPP) are not eligible to apply.
  • Funds are awarded to active research projects only; applications to assist with attendance at meetings/participation or costs associated with attending conferences or training will not be considered.
  • Former recipients of the Russell Trust Awards (Postgraduate) are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants will be required to upload a budget outline, as well as a reference from the applicant’s research supervisor.
  • Applicants must have approval for their travel and must have completed any relevant risk assessments. This must be uploaded as part of the application for the award.  Applications without this will not be considered. 
  • Applicants must have ethics approval for their travel, which must also be included in the application. Applications without this will not be considered.
  • If a referee prefers to submit their reference directly, they should do so via email to: stlc@st-andrews.ac.uk. Applicants must then upload a document in the reference section of the portal stating who the referee is and noting that the reference has been sent directly.

How to apply

  1. Log into MySaint and go to the My Applications tab, open eVision applications, and then Scholarships and funding. 
  2. Click View the scholarships and funding catalogue to apply.
  3. Select 2026/7 as the Academic Year and click Refresh list.
  4. Locate Russell Trust Awards (Postgraduate) - Semester 1 or Russell Trust Awards (Postgraduate) - Semester 2 in the list of scholarships (using the filter box if necessary), click Apply and complete the application form.

Scholarship application form guidance

Terms and conditions

Please read the general University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab)

  • Awards are made for the costs of travel only, and cannot assist with the payment of tuition fees, accommodation or any other expenses incurred during the trip.
  • Projects must have the support of the applicant’s supervisor.
  • Applications should relate to travel which takes place between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
  • Please be aware that any application for funding may be partially awarded.
  • Awards cannot be made to students who have previously received the Russell Trust Award.
  • Successful applicants are required to submit a report for the Russell Trust outlining the use of funds and how their trip has benefitted their studies. The Development Stewardship team will request the report during semester 2 and will issue guidelines.

When will I know the outcome?

Students will be notified of the outcome of their applications about two weeks after the application deadline. Applications will not be assessed before the deadline.

Contact

stlc@st-andrews.ac.uk