Faculty of History Trust Funds
General Guidelines and contact for queries
Where a fund invites applications for grants and/or studentships, neither late nor retrospective applications shall be considered.
Where referees are required to vouch for an application, applicants are responsible for contacting their chosen referees.
References must be submitted by the application deadlines.
If you intend to submit one application covering multiple funds, your referees should submit one covering letter for the combined application rather than a separate letter for each trust fund.
Studentship applications are only accepted in Easter Term, to take effect in the following academic year.
Some funds do not reimburse for costs of subsistence. Please check the fund guidelines below.
Please direct all queries to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk.
Please use the summary table, found here, to see what Trust Funds you are to apply eligible for. Further information on how to apply, along with deadline dates, can be found under the individual Trust Fund headings on this page.
Archbishop Cranmer Prize, Grants and Studentships
The Archbishop Cranmer Prize is “to be awarded for an essay, the subject of which shall relate to the intention and result of the changes in doctrine, organisation and ritual within the Church of England between the years AD 1500 and 1700; also the bearing of these changes upon the political and economic, the national and international, the literary and social, the religious and home life of the English people”.
Unexpended income may be used for the following purposes:
- To make grants for the furtherance of research in English ecclesiastical history in the period 1500-1700 encompassing the same criteria as those for the award of the prize (see above);
- To provide one or more Archbishop Cranmer studentships, tenable for one academic year in the first instance, which may be renewed and the value reviewed for a maximum duration of three academic years. Holders must devote themselves to the pursuit of original research in English ecclesiastical history between the years 1500 and 1700 encompassing the same criteria as those for the award of the prize (see above).
Prize: £1,000
Studentship: up to £7,000
Grants: up to £1,000
Prize:
Candidates must be members of the University and of not less than three years standing from their first degree (from whichever university) at the time of the award.
Grants:
Applicants must be members of the University and/or current PhD students. Preference will be given to applicants from Faculty of History.
Studentships:
Applicants must be, or about to become, registered as a graduate student in the University by 1st October 2023. Studentships are awarded subject to the criteria laid out under “purpose of the fund” (above).
Prize:
Candidates should self-nominate by contacting trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk with the subject of their proposed essay before the deadline of 24th November 2023. Titles will be reviewed by the fund managers, who will confirm which candidates may proceed to submit an essay. Candidates who have successfully submitted a dissertation for another prize or the degree of PhD or M.Litt must declare that the essay to be submitted is not substantially similar to their previous dissertation.
Approved candidates must submit an essay of not more than 8,000 words in length (excluding footnotes) to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk by the deadline of 1st March 2024. Candidates must state in a preface or in notes the sources of their information, the extent to which they have availed themselves of the work of others and the portions they claim as original.
Submitted essays will be sent to adjudicators for review and comment. The managers of the fund shall decide the winner of the prize at their meeting in Easter term 2024, on the basis of the adjudicator reports.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the two deadlines:
20th November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Applicants must ensure, when applicable, that both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Studentships:
Applicants must complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must specify two referees.
The completed application form, an academic CV and a statement of proposed research (1 A4 side maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 6th May 2024. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Ellen McArthur Fund
The Ellen McArthur Doctoral Prizes are “for any work on Economic History…by any graduate of the University or by any person who is registered as a graduate student in the University”. From academic year 2020/21, to also award one or more Ellen McArthur Masters Prizes for the best MPhil dissertation in Economic and Social History and to award one or more Ellen McArthur Undergraduate Prizes for a dissertation on some aspect of Economic History submitted by a candidate for the examination in Part II of the Historical Tripos, Economics Tripos, History and Politics Tripos, or the History and Modern Languages Tripos.
An Ellen McArthur Lecturer is appointed every other year, to deliver in English a course of between four and eight lectures on some aspect of Economic History.
Unexpended income may be used for the following purposes:
- To make contributions towards the cost of publishing any work for which an Ellen McArthur Doctoral Prize has been awarded or towards the cost of an Ellen McArthur lecture or series of lectures;
- To provide for no more than three Ellen McArthur studentships tenable for one academic year in the first instance, which may be renewed and the value reviewed for a maximum duration of three academic years. Holders must devote themselves to original research in Economic History;
- To make grants in aid of research within the University in the field of Economic History;
- To further the study of Economic History in the University by any other means.
Ellen Annette McArthur (1862-1927) left the bulk of her modest estate to Cambridge University to establish a prize for economic history. A brief biography of Ellen McArthur is available below.
A list of past prize recipients and an archive of the Ellen McArthur are also available.
Prize: £500 (Doctoral prize); £300 (Masters in Economic & Social History prize); £250 (Undergraduate Prize)
Studentship: up to £10,000
Grants: up to £2,500
NB: subsistence costs shall not be funded. Please use standard University travel rates in grant budgets, available to view HERE.
Prize:
For the Doctoral and Masters Prizes - Any graduate of the University or anyone registered as a graduate student in the University
For the Undergraduate Prize - Any candidate for the examination of the Part II Historical Tripos, Economics Tripos, History and Politics Tripos, or the History and Modern Languages Tripos, from the preceding academic year
Studentship:
Any person who is or is about to become registered as a postgraduate student in the University on 1st October 2023. Studentships are awarded subject to the criteria laid out under “purpose of the fund” (above).
Grants:
Any person who is or is about to become registered as a graduate student in the University on 1st October 2022. Academic staff working within the field of Economic and Social History are also eligible, regardless of whether they are members of the Faculty of History. The managers of the fund shall prioritise applications for travel costs, however other proposed expenses might be considered.
Prize:
For the Doctoral Prize, the fund managers shall assess awards of PhD degrees in the field of Economic History by the Degree Committees of the Faculties of History and of Economics made in the previous academic year. The Masters Prize shall be awarded for the best MPhil dissertation in Economic and Social History from the previous academic year. The Undergraduate Prize shall be awarded for the best dissertation submitted for examination for Part II of the Historical Tripos, Economics Tripos, History and Politics Tripos, or the History and Modern Languages Tripos, from the previous academic year.
Prizes shall be awarded in the Michaelmas term.
Studentship:
Applicants must complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must specify two referees. One of the referees must be the current or prospective PhD supervisor (or, where applicable, main supervisor).
The completed application form, an academic CV and a statement of proposed research (1 A4 side maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 6th May 2023. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant and include a detailed, itemised budget. Two referees should be stated by applicants, unless the applicant is an academic member of staff, in which case references shall not be required. One of the referees must be the current or prospective PhD supervisor (or, where applicable, main supervisor).
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the three deadlines:
13th November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
30th January 2024 (Lent term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Applicants must ensure, when applicable, that both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
George Macaulay Trevelyan Fund and Lectureship
The income of the George Macaulay Trevelyan Fund is intended to meet the cost of lectures on historical subjects. Primarily the annual income supports the biennial George Macaulay Trevelyan Lectures, through the appointment of a Lecturer charged with the delivery of between six to eight lectures
The managers of the fund invite applications from members of the University and those registered as graduate students in the University in support of the costs of hosting lectures and/or conferences on historical subjects, specifically the costs of travel, accommodation and entertainment of invited speakers external to University of Cambridge.
For University and College Teaching Officers, awards shall not exceed £2,000 per application
For all other applicants, awards shall not exceed £1,500 per application
Senior members of the University and those registered as graduate students in the University. Preference will be given to members of the Faculty of History.
Applicants should complete all sections of the G.M. Trevelyan Fund application form (see "Application Forms", above).
Applicants should also submit: the aims and objectives of their conference/event (1 A4 side maximum), a draft event programme or outline and a detailed budget specifying the elements for which GM Trevelyan support is requested. References are not required.
Applicants must submit the application form and the additional documents to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the two deadlines:
8th November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term). NB: Applications in this round must be for events scheduled to take place in University financial year 2024/25 or later.
Holland Rose Studentship
The Holland Rose Studentships encourages the study of the recent history and present problems of the Commonwealth (previously the British Empire). Holders should “undertake full-time study of some subject connected with the general history or constitutional, social or cultural development of the British Empire since 1815, of the Commonwealth, or of the present problems of the Commonwealth…”.
Unexpended income may be used to provide grants in aid to those registered as graduate students in the University, for the encouragement of study subject to the same criteria as those set for holders of the studentship.
Studentship: up to £2,000
Grants: up to £1,000
Studentship:
Applicants must be already researching or intend to undertake research on the history of a Commonwealth country or former Commonwealth country. Applicants should have graduated with “high honours” in History or in some other subject deemed relevant by the fund managers.
Applicants must have either not received their first degree from any university earlier than 1st October 2019 or shall have been registered as a graduate student in the University of Cambridge for not more than nine terms by 1st May 2023. Applicants must promise to adhere to the criteria for study set out under purposes of the fund.
Topics of research may include UK history, where the focus is linked to the history of UK foreign and Commonwealth policy.
Grants:
Any person who is or is about to become registered as a graduate student in the University on 1st October 2022. Grants shall be awarded subject to the criteria set out under purposes of the fund.
Topics of research may include UK history, where the focus is linked to the history of UK foreign and Commonwealth policy.
Studentship:
Applicants must complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must specify two referees.
The completed application form, an academic CV (1 A4 side maximum) and a statement of proposed research (2 A4 sides maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 29th April 2024. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 29th April 2024.
Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Dr Lightfoot's Scholarships and Prize
To encourage the study of History, especially Ecclesiastical History.
To provide for one or more Lightfoot Scholarships, the holders of which must devote themselves to the study of Ecclesiastical History.
To award the Lightfoot Prize for Ecclesiastical History (awarded by the examiners for Part II B of the Theological and Religious Studies Tripos; NOT subject to open competition)
Unexpended income may be used for the following purposes:
To award grants in aid of research in History, especially Ecclesiastical History, to members of the University.
Studentships: up to £7,000
Grants: up to £2,000
Studentship:
Any person who is or is about to become registered as a graduate student in the University on 1st October 2023. Studentships are tenable for one academic year in the first instance but may be renewed subject to re-application in subsequent years.
Grants:
Academic staff and those who are or are about to become registered as graduate students of the University on 1st October 2022.
Studentship:
The Lightfoot Scholarship is awarded subject to an essay competition. The essay must be on a subject in Ecclesiastical History.
Applicants must initially complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed however under the section titled “brief statement of your current research…” applicants should state the title of their proposed essay. Applicants must specify two referees.
The completed application form, an academic CV and a statement of current and proposed research (1 A4 side maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 15th January 2024. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Approved candidates will be notified and must submit their essay to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk by the deadline of 3rd April 2024. The essay must be between 7,000 and 15,000 words in length (including footnotes)
Submitted essays will be sent to adjudicators for review and comment. The managers of the fund will confirm the award of any scholarships at their meeting in Easter term 2023, on the basis of the adjudicator reports.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the following deadlines:
16th January 2024 (Lent term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Members' History Fund
To award the Members History Prize for the best dissertation on an historical subject submitted for the MPhil degree in the preceding academic year.
Unexpended income may be used to award grants in aid to those registered as graduate students in the University, specifically those under the supervision of the Degree Committee of the Faculty of History. Grants may be made for the study of any field of history.
Prize: £500 (first prize) and £250 (second prize).
Grants: up to £1,000.
Prize:
Any member of the University who has been approved by the Board of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Degree Committee of History, for the award of the MPhil degree during the preceding academic year
Grants:
Those registered as graduate students in the University, specifically those under the supervision of the Degree Committee of the Faculty of History. The fund managers request that applicants should direct applications firstly to the most appropriate, field-specific, trust fund before requesting funds from the Members' History Fund.
Prize:
Directors of MPhil subject groups shall submit to the Fund Managers the names of the highest scoring recipients of the MPhil degree from the preceding academic year. The Fund Managers shall review the examiner reports for candidates and award the first and second prizes in the Lent term.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the following deadlines:
3rd November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
15th January 2024 (Lent term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Prince Consort and Thirlwall Prize and Fund
To award the Prince Consort & Thirlwall Prize for a dissertation involving original historical research.
To provide a bronze medal to be awarded to the winner of the prize
Unexpended income may be used for the following purposes:
- To award grants in aid towards the cost of the publication of any works for which a Prince Consort & Thirlwall Prize has been awarded;
- To provide one or more Prince Consort Studentships;
- To make grants in aid to those registered as graduate students in the University in aid of historical research;
- PhD students needing funding for their fourth year of study who have been unable to secure the necessary support from other available sources are eligible to apply for either the Prince Consort Studentship, or for special hardship grants, depending on when they apply;
- To further the study of History in the University by any other means.
Prize: £1,500
Studentship: up to £2,000
Grants: up to £750
Grants (fourth-year PhD hardship/maintenance): up to £1,000
Prize:
All doctoral graduates of the University and all those who are registered as doctoral graduate students in the University.
Studentships:
Only registered PhD students (who have passed their RAE) will be considered. NOTAF PhD students may be considered in exceptional circumstances. The fund managers request that applicants should direct applications firstly to the most appropriate, field-specific, trust fund before requesting funds from the Prince Consort Fund. Studentships may be awarded for the study of any field of history.
Grants:
Graduate students and/or graduates of the University of Cambridge. The fund managers request that applicants should direct applications firstly to the most appropriate, field-specific, trust fund before requesting funds from the Members' History Fund. Grants may be made for the study of any field of history.
Grants (fourth-year PhD hardship/maintenance):
Students who discover in their fourth year of their PhD that they are in hardship, and who did not apply for a Prince Consort Studentship in the previous May, are eligible to apply for these awards. They need to set out their financial circumstances and to supply a feasible timetable for completion of the PhD.
Prize:
Candidates should submit the title of their proposed dissertation to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk by the deadline of 6th May 2024. At their meeting in Easter term 2024 the Fund Managers shall confirm which candidates should proceed to submit copies of their completed dissertations by the October deadline.
Accepted candidates must send a digital copy of their dissertation to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk by the deadline of 31st October 2024. Submitted dissertations shall be sent to adjudicators for review and comment. The managers of the fund shall confirm the award of the prize at their meeting in Lent term 2025, on the basis of the adjudicator reports.
Studentship:
Applicants must complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must specify two referees.
The completed application form, an academic CV and a statement of proposed research (1 A4 side maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 6th May 2024. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees. Applicants must specify other sources of funding applied for, whether applications were successful or unsuccessful, and whether any applications are pending.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the following deadlines:
3rd November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
15th January 2024 (Lent term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Sara Norton Prizes and Fund
To award the PhD, MPhil and Undergraduate Sara Norton Prizes for the best essays on some aspect of the political history of the United States of America.
Unexpended income may be used to award grants in aid to further the study of the political history (broadly conceived) of the United States. Priority shall be given to applications to cover costs of research trips however, applications to cover other cost categories (e.g. conference attendance) may be considered.
Prizes: £500 (PhD Prize); £300 (MPhil Prize); £250 (Undergraduate Prize)
Grants: up to £2,000 (PhD candidates) or up to £600 (MPhil candidates)
Conference Attendance Grants (PhD candidates only): £500
PhD Prize:
Any member of the University of Cambridge who has been approved by the Board of Graduate Studies for the award of a PhD degree during the calendar year preceding the year an award is made (i.e. 2022 calendar year).
MPhil Prize:
Any member of the University of Cambridge who has been approved by the Board of Graduate Studies for the award of an MPhil degree in American History during the academic year preceding the year an award is made (i.e. 2021/22 academic year).
Undergraduate Prize:
This is awarded by the examiners for the Part II of the Historical Tripos for a dissertation on some aspect of the political history of the United States of America.
Grants:
Any person registered as a graduate student in the University. Priority will be given to students in their first or second year of postgraduate study and to those who contribute to the US History postgraduate subject group. While costs of conference attendance shall be considered, priority shall be granted to requests for assistance with the costs of research trips. Please note that there is one round only open to MPhil candidates.
Postgraduate Prize:
In February 2024 the Fund Managers shall solicit nominations from supervisors of eligible candidates awarded the PhD degree in calendar year 2023. Candidates will be ranked by the Fund Managers who will proceed to invite adjudicators to read and review the dissertations of the chosen candidates. Adjudicator reports shall be reviewed by the Fund Managers at the start of the long vacation 2024 whereafter a decision will be made on the award of the prize.
Grants:
PhD applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). NB: Applications to the Sara Norton Fund require only ONE reference.
PhD applicants applying for a Conference Attendance Grant must complete the Sara Norton Conference application form (see "Application Forms", above). NB: Applications to the Sara Norton Fund require only ONE reference.
MPhil applicants must complete an alternative application form (see Sara Norton Fund MPhil Application Form in "Application Forms", above). Please note, only one letter of reference, from your supervisor, is required for applications from MPhil students.
All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify their referees where required.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before one of the following deadlines
21st November 2023 (MPhil and PhD candidates)
3rd June 2024 (PhD candidates only)
Applicants must ensure their referee submits a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadlines.
Stanley Baldwin Fund
To encourage the study of British political history in the years 1919 to 1939.
To award one or more Stanley Baldwin Studentships to be tenable for one year in the first instance.
Unexpended income may be used to award grants in aid to graduate students working within the remit of the fund as stated above.
Studentships: up to £3,600
Grants: up to £1,000
Studentships:
Any postgraduate student pursuing or intending to pursue a course of study or research in the field of British political history in the years 1919 to 1939. The studentship once awarded may be renewed (subject to reapplication) for up to three academic years.
Grants:
Any postgraduate student working on the period specified under the purpose of the fund.
Studentship:
Applicants must complete the application form for studentships (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must specify two referees.
The completed application form, an academic CV and a statement of proposed research (1 A4 side maximum) should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 6th May 2024. Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Grants:
Applicants must complete the application form for grants (see "Application Forms", above). All sections must be completed. Applicants must detail the intended purpose of the grant, include a detailed budget and specify two referees.
The completed application form and an academic CV should be emailed to trustfunds@hist.cam.ac.uk before the deadline of 6th May 2024.
Applicants must ensure both of their referees submit a reference of no more than 1 A4 sheet in length to the same e-mail address by the same deadline.
Smuts Memorial Fund
The fund was established after the death of Jan Christian Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, with the aim of advancing Commonwealth Studies at the University.
The fund seeks to encourage, support and celebrate Commonwealth Studies in a variety of ways, including awarding research grants to both staff and students.
Postgraduate students (PhD): up to £1,000
University staff: up to £1,500
The Fund is managed by a Board of Managers, meeting termly. The International Student Office supports the Board of Managers in administering the fund.
Full details of applicant eligibility and the application process is available HERE.
For all queries, please contact the Smuts Fund administrator: international.students@admin.cam.ac.uk
Michaelmas term: 1st October. Notification, late November.
Lent term: 1st January. Notification, late February.
Easter term: 1st March. Notification, late May.
Cambridge Historical Society
Candidates must be, or about to become, registered as PhD students in the University, undertaking historical research. Grants will not normally exceed £100.
Grant applications to the Cambridge Historical Society, Members’ History Fund and Prince Consort Fund are considered together so applications to more than one of these funds will normally receive a grant from just one. This should not deter applicants from applying to two or all of these three funds.
Deadlines for grant applications are as follows:
3rd November 2023 (Michaelmas term)
15th January 2024 (Lent term)
6th May 2024 (Easter term)
Forms
Application Forms
Grants
Trust Fund Grants Application Form
Studentships
Trust Fund Studentships Application Form
Sara Norton Fund
Sara Norton Fund MPhil Application Form (Michaelmas term only for MPhils)*
Sara Norton Fund Conference Grant Application Form (PhD candidates only)
G.M. Trevelyan Fund