Studentships and bursaries

We offer Jacobsen Studentships for research in certain fundamental parts of philosophy, including speculative metaphysics, critical metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, epistemology, philosophical logic, philosophy of life, determinism, the nature of life, evolution, moral philosophy, and political and social philosophy. 

Application Form →

Applications for the academic year 2024/2025 are now closed. 

To receive updates about the next funding round, please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when applications next open.

Supported by the Jacobsen Foundation, the Royal Institute of Philosophy offers studentships and bursaries for research in philosophy. These grants focus on fundamental areas such as speculative metaphysics, critical metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, epistemology, philosophical logic, philosophy of life, determinism, the nature of life, evolution, moral philosophy, and political and social philosophy.

Thanks to the generosity of the Jacobsen Foundation, the Royal Institute of Philosophy funded 5 postgraduate studentships and 11 postgraduate bursaries for the 2023/2024 academic year. These awards have been invaluable, allowing students to dedicate more time to their studies, deliver new research, and attend conferences. The Jacobsen studentship program has significantly enriched the academic research community.

2025/2026- Grant Programme

The Royal Institute of Philosophy seeks candidates whose work, while rigorous, avoids needless technicality and unnecessary jargon, and is in the tradition of philosophy as a humane discipline. The Royal Institute of Philosophy offers two levels of financial support: the Studentship scheme, which provides grants up to £9,600, and the Bursary scheme, offering grants up to £3,000. The total support will not exceed AHRC Doctoral studentship maintenance rates and fees for 2024/25, taking into account all other successful funding applications.

Terms & Conditions

  1. Applicants must be studying for a doctorate.
  1. Applications will not be considered unless you have already completed at least one year of work towards the degree by the start of the academic year in which the award is given.
  1. Applicants must be engaged in full, or part, time study of Philosophy, in a department at a UK institution during the year of the award.
  1. For your application to be considered, you are required to provide 1 written reference from your academic supervisor that must be sent directly from their academic email account.
  1. The Institute aims to support those lacking funding, and will take into consideration other awards, if any, received by applicants.
  2.  A previous application, whether successful unsuccessful, does not prevent a new application for 2025/26.