The University of Cambridge now receives applications to its prestigious Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme (HDPSP) which runs annually thereby creating a cohort of the strongest PhD students in any given year across a diverse range of subject areas.

The Harding Scholars programme is a fully funded, and each year at least 25 PhD students will receive a prestigious award.

Scholarship Description

The Cambridge Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme runs annually, creating a cohort of the strongest PhD students in any given year across a diverse range of subject areas.

The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme (HDPSP) aims to support academically outstanding University of Cambridge PhD students from all parts of the world, and in any discipline, to contribute to society by producing intellectually rigorous research which makes a positive difference to the academic community and beyond.

Award Benefits

A Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship covers the following costs:

• the University Composition Fees at the appropriate rate for the duration of your course.
• a maintenance allowance (living costs) of £20,000 per year for the duration of your course, with the option to request maintenance funding during the 12 month writing-up period, should this be required.
• a personal research allowance (for expenditure on personal research expenses and research-related activities, for example, books and conference attendance) of up to £6,000 over the duration of your course.
• the cost of an inbound student visa and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (for the duration of the visa granted), as applicable for international students

Level and Area of Studies

Postgraduate in any area.

Place of Study

University of Cambridge, UK

Eligibility Criteria

Those eligible for the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship are:

• Candidates applying to pursue a full-time or part-time PhD course of study at the University of
• Candidates applying for a PhD via a fully integrated MRes+PhD (1+3) route are also eligible.
• Scholarships are open to PhD students of any nationality.
• Scholarships are open to PhD students in any discipline.
• Scholarships can be held at 23 eligible Colleges.

Application Procedure

You can apply for admission to a PhD course, a College place and various sources of funding (including a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship) via the University’s online Applicant portal.

To be considered for a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship you must:

1. Tick the box in the ‘Funding your Study’ section in the Applicant Portal indicating that you wish to apply for funding.
2. Complete the ‘Harding’ section in the Applicant Portal by submitting a personal statement describing how you believe you fit with the three values of the HDPSP.
3. Apply by the funding deadline for your course.
4. Be assessed as being academically excellent by the Department or Faculty to which you have applied.

Website and Application Link