The Dr Brian R. Phillips Scholarship for Chemistry Research

The trustee of the estate of Dr Brian R. Phillips has made a generous donation to the University of Edinburgh to provide funding for an annual PhD scholarship in the name of Dr Brian Ross Phillips.

Dr Brian R Phillips was born in 1935 in England to Percy R. Phillips (pigment chemist) and Muriel Arnold.  His early years were spent in Manchester, England.  Then the family moved to Edinburgh, Scotland.  Dr Phillips was a 1958 and 1961 graduate in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. 

Award

Each scholarship covers the University tuition fee as well as a stipend for 42 months equivalent to the UKRI stipend rate (for 2024/25 the stipend rate is £19,237, this may increase in future years depending on UKRI stipend levels).

Eligibility: This Scholarship is open to UK students applying to start their first year of study for an on campus research degree in 2025 - 2026.

Applying

Applicants who wish to apply for admission to the Chemistry PhD (PRPHDCHEMY1F) and the Brian R Philips Scholarship are first required to secure the support of a prospective supervisor whose research aligns with the applicant’s own interests.

Please note: the Personal Statement for your scholarship application should clearly state why you are applying for this scholarship, why you are interested in the research topic of your choice, and what benefit the scholarship will have for your research and career plans.

Application Timeline

  • 18th November 2024 – Applications open for the Brian R Phillips Scholarship. 
  • 16th December 2024 – Admissions deadline for Chemistry PhD (PRPHDCHEMY1F) programme to be submitted via EUCLID.                                 Online Application Form
  • 6th January 2025 – Applications deadline for the Brian R Phillips Scholarship.  Please email your application form to: Chemistry.Gradschool@ed.ac.uk
  • 20th - 24th January 2025 - Invitations will be issued for interview
  • 3rd - 7th February 2025 - Interviews will be held

Supporting Documentation

When making your application for Chemistry PhD (PRPHDCHEMY1F) via EUCLID please upload the following documentation to support your application for the Scholarship 

  • Research proposal (no more than 1 page)
  • Degree transcripts
  • Personal statement

Two reference letters are also required and they should be uploaded to EUCLID by the referees as part of the admission application process.  These references will used to support your Brian R Phillips Scholarship application.

Criteria

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate level.

The University will not generally consider candidates who have already obtained a PhD, or formal equivalent, as a result of direct research training.