125th Anniversary Scholarship terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions refer only to PhD researchers who have successfully been awarded the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers at the University of Birmingham, and who are studying on one of the twelve applicable projects outlined below in clause 2. The below terms and conditions are separate from the PhD researcher's terms and conditions relating to their doctoral research degree studies at the University of Birmingham. 

All 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers offers are bound by the below terms and conditions. You should familiarise yourself with all of the below terms and conditions before applying to and accepting the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers.

1. Definitions

In these terms and conditions the following expressions shall have the following meanings:

1. "125th Anniversary Scholarship" means the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers.
2. “125th Anniversary Scholar” refers to candidates for a PhD award at the University of Birmingham who holds, or has been offered a 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers at the University of Birmingham.
3. “The Academic Year” means the University’s year of academic study.
4. “Leave of Absence” means the temporary withdrawal by an 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers scholar from the University.
5. “Scheme” means the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers.
6. “Scholarship” means the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers.
7. “University” means the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT.
8. “College” means the College at the University of Birmingham where the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers is registered to undertake their PhD study.
9. "Study offer" means the formal offer that an applicant receives for their academic studies at the University that is subsequently bound by its own terms and conditions for entry onto the respective course at the University of Birmingham.
10. "Oversight Group" means a committee consisting of University representatives that will ratify all selected nominees for receiving the Scholarship by each project's lead supervisor(s).

2. Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers, you must be:

1. Classified as 'Home' for tuition fee payments.
2. Self-identifying as a member of one of the following ethnic groups:
   • Black African
   • Black Caribbean
   • Black Other
   • Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
   • Mixed – White and Black African
   • Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)
3. Not already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham.
4. Applying to one of the twelve eligible PhD projects applicable to the scheme:

• • Christian Connections and Faithful Citizenship: Black Majority Churches in Birmingham
  • ‘WHOSE AFRICA?’: Connecting Art and Communities through the University of Birmingham’s African Collection
  • Connecting Communities and Promoting Inclusion: Black Majority Churches as Alternative Anchor Institutions
  • Between ‘Global Britain’ and national health: The role of Parliament in tackling immunisation inequities of minoritized groups
  • Energy, efflux and resistance in bacteria
  • Data-driven population dynamics for biofiltration
  • Recycling of Carbon Fibre Composites with Deep Eutectic Solvents
  • Space-based solutions for improved space sustainability
  • A new toolbox to monitor molecular switches
  • Understanding the health benefits of exercise on the liver within the paradigm of small extracellular vesicle crosstalk
  • Transforming the development and use of diagnostics to optimise and accelerate clinical care pathways
  • Exploring Antimicrobial Resistance in the human GI Microbiome  

In addition to the above eligibility criteria of the scholarships, applicants must meet the University's entry requirements for the doctoral degree that is being applied to. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the specific entry requirements on each project's individual webpage. Acceptance of the study offer and enrolment onto the doctoral degree is imperative to be able to receive the 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers. Any delays in accepting the study offer and completing Online Registration will result in the delay of the processing and payment of the Scholarship.

If your application is successful, all offers are based upon the terms and conditions of the scholarship and further eligibility checks will be undertaken. All offers are made upon the assumption that any and all information you submit is truthful and accurate; the scholarship can and will be revoked if you are found to be in violation of the scholarship's terms and conditions at any point.

Applicants must submit an application to the Scholarship before the deadline(s) outlined on the main webpage for 125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers; any applications to the scholarship after the date(s) will not be considered.

Due to the high volume of applications, the University reserves the right to close the scholarship scheme early, meaning that any successive round(s) after the first round of applications may not be executed, despite any initial plans of operating multiple rounds, if all scholarships are allocated to successful applicants.

3. Scholarship and Scholarship Tenure

1. Whenever the University agrees to award a Scholarship to an 125th Anniversary Scholar the terms and conditions set out herein shall apply unless otherwise expressly excluded in whole or in part.
2. The tenure of the scholarship can be for up to 3.5 years (42 months) for full-time Scholars or up to 7 years (84 months) for part-time Scholars.
3. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar's scholarship tenure has been agreed to be over the standard PhD minimum registration period of 36 months, the registration status of the 125th Anniversary Scholar must continue to be that of “Normal Registration”. This should be confirmed via a progress decision reported by the College to Registry.
4. The period of maximum registration (48 months for full-time and 90 months for part-time) and submission date on the PhD must not be extended in the cases where an 125th Anniversary Scholar's scholarship tenure has been agreed to be over the standard PhD minimum registration period of 36 months.
5. The 125th Anniversary Scholarship does not cover writing up fees, or provide a maintenance grant to 125th Anniversary Scholars in writing up status.
6. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar withdraws from their study, transfers to writing up status, or submits their thesis before the end of their minimum period of registration, the 125th Anniversary Scholarship should cease with immediate effect.

4. Selection

1. Only applicants who meet the Eligibility Criteria, outlined in clause 2, are able to apply to the Scheme; any ineligible applications will not be considered. Scholarship offers will be made upon the basis of academic merit as determined at the discretion of each individual project's lead supervisor(s). An Oversight Group will ratify all nominations for receiving the Scholarship.

5. Payment

1. Payment of the Scholarship is the responsibility of the University budget holder for the Postgraduate Research Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship compromises of:
   1. A stipend at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rates, which is set at £19,237 per year for the 2024-2025 academic cycle, and will be paid to you in regular instalments.
      1. The stipend will increase annually in line with the minimum fee and stipend levels as recommended by the UKRI as and when uplifted rates are confirmed by the UKRI for subsequent academic years.
   2.  A research training support grant at £2,250 across the duration of PhD, intended to support conference attendance, fieldwork, and other essential activities that enhance 125th Anniversary Scholar's research and academic growth.
   3.  Tuition fees paid at a minimum of £4,786 per year.
2. Payment of the Scholarship's stipend offering shall normally be made:
   1. by BACS transfer to a bank account held by the 125th Anniversary Scholar in the United Kingdom.

Although of no monetary value, and thus cannot be exchanged for any monetary value, 125th Anniversary Scholars will also have the opportunity to access:

• Mentorship and Guidance: 125th Anniversary Scholars will benefit from mentorship opportunities and guidance from accomplished faculty members who are dedicated to helping them succeed in their academic and research endeavours.
• Research Opportunities: 125th Anniversary Scholars will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant scholarly community.
• Community Building: A key component of the scholarship programme is the creation of a supportive community of Black British researchers pursuing PhDs. This network will foster collaboration and peer support among scholars.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: The University is dedicated to building an inclusive academic environment that values diversity and ensures equitable access to education.

6. Termination

1. In any of the circumstances set out in this clause below the Scholarship shall be withdrawn and the University shall make no (or no further) payments of the Scholarship:
   1. the 125th Anniversary Scholar permanently leaves the University due to illness (whether or not following a Leave of Absence);
   2. the 125th Anniversary Scholar leaves the University for reasons other than illness;
   3. the 125th Anniversary Scholar is required to withdraw from the University pursuant to disciplinary or fitness to practice proceedings;
   4. the 125th Anniversary Scholar transfers to another course or programme of study;
   5. the 125th Anniversary Scholar transfers to another institution;
   6. the 125th Anniversary Scholarship fails to uphold the responsibilities detailed in the University of Birmingham Student Charter;
   7. the 125th Anniversary Scholar otherwise fails to achieve an academic standard of progression assessed as being to the level befitting of a 125th Anniversary Scholarship at the end of each academic year;
2. The University reserves the right to demand the repayment of any instalment or instalments (or part thereof) of the Scholarship made to the 125th Anniversary Scholar during the Academic Year in the circumstances set out in 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4 and 6.1.5 above.
3. In the event of an 125th Anniversary Scholarship being terminated before the end of the award the 125th Anniversary Scholarship must cease, and cannot be awarded to an alternative Scholar.

7. Leave of Absence

1. In the event that the 125th Anniversary Scholar takes or is required to take, a Leave of Absence during the Academic Year, payments as set out in clause 4 will cease for the duration of the Leave of Absence until such time as the 125th Anniversary Scholar has re‐registered.
2. An 125th Anniversary Scholar’s minimum and maximum periods of registration will automatically be adjusted in the event of a Leave of Absence being approved.
3. If the 125th Anniversary Scholar fails to return to the University after such Leave of Absence then the provisions of clause 6 above will apply.
4. 125th Anniversary Scholars are not permitted to take retrospective Leave of Absences unless under exceptional circumstances such an illness, or unforeseen circumstances that made the 125th Anniversary Scholars unable to apply for the Leave of Absence earlier.

8. Extensions to periods of Registration

1. Where a 125th Anniversary Scholar’s normal registration period is extended beyond the tenure of the scholarship, the 125th Anniversary Scholarship payments will not continue into this extended period.

9. Transfers of Modes of Registration

1. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar and project transfers to another School, Department or Supervisor or College, the 125th Anniversary Scholarship payments should continue.
2. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar transfers to another institution, payments of the 125th Anniversary Scholarship must cease from the date of the transfer is effective.
3. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar is transferred to a lower degree classification during the normal registration period the 125th Anniversary Scholarship must cease.
4. Where an 125th Anniversary Scholar is awarded a lower qualification as a result of their PhD Viva Examination they will not be required to repay the 125th Anniversary Scholarship.

10. Miscellaneous

1. Subject to academic progression assessed as being to the level befitting of an 125th Anniversary Scholarship in each Academic Year of the programme, and unless otherwise agreed in writing, the eligibility of the 125th Anniversary Scholar for a Scholarship shall continue for the full duration of the 125th Anniversary Scholar's normal period of registration at the University and, shall result in the payment of the Scholarship to the 125th Anniversary Scholar in each Academic Year of registration.
2. If the Scholarship ceases to be payable due to the 125th Anniversary Scholar's failure to achieve academic progression assessed as being to the level befitting of an 125th Anniversary Scholarship, the Scholarship cannot subsequently become payable again if the 125th Anniversary Scholar achieves academic progression assessed as being to the level befitting of an 125th Anniversary Scholarship.