Funding and opportunities
The Legacies of Enslavement Special Initiative connects researchers and institutions with funding options that enable studies on the legacies of enslavement.
On this page, you’ll find:
- visitor schemes and fellowships
- studentships and scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study
- small grants for events and projects
- vacancies and other opportunities to work with the Initiative
Explore the sections below to learn how you can apply, connect and contribute.
Visiting Fellowships (Global South, 2027)
In 2027, the Legacies of Enslavement Special Initiative is partnering with the Centre for Research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge to offer funded Visiting Fellowships for scholars from the Global South.
The theme for the 2027 Fellowships is Enslavement: histories, legacies and afterlives. Applications are welcome from any discipline and should explore these themes in interdisciplinary ways—historical, contemporary, or both. Fellows will collaborate on an event during their residency, co-hosted by CRASSH and Legacies of Enslavement, and may contribute to public engagement activities.
Appointments will be for Lent Term 2027.
Application deadline: 16 February 2026.
For full eligibility criteria, application details, and how to apply, visit the CRASSH Global South Fellowships page.
We welcome proposals for events or other projects and outputs that contribute to the aims of the Legacies of Enslavement Special Initiative. We’re keen to support a wide range of activity — from research‑led or creative projects to conferences, workshops, seminars, exhibitions and other forms of academic or public engagement. Student-led events are encouraged.
Funding available
We can contribute up to £5,000 toward the cost of an event or project.
What we are looking for
Anyone within the University is welcome to apply, including staff and students. Community partners are very welcome to collaborate on projects but cannot apply directly. All funding must be administered through a host faculty or department within the University.
Timeline
Applications are open until 27 February.
Please plan for your event or project to take place within 6 months of receiving funding.
How to apply
All applications must be completed and submitted online. Please complete the Legacies of Enslavement funding application form.
Undergraduate scholarships
Cambridge Bursary Scheme (Funding, not a scholarship)
Financial support for UK undergrads based on household income.
Stormzy Scholarship
Full funding for Black UK undergraduates.
Geography Scholarship
Up to £12k/year for Black or mixed-heritage Geography students.
Formula 1 Engineering Scholarships
For under-represented groups entering Engineering.
Postgraduate scholarships
CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Programme
PhD programme supporting Black researchers.
Cambridge Trust Caribbean Scholarships
Available to Masters and PhD applicants from the Caribbean.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme
Fully funded master’s for African students.
Centre for Development Studies African Scholarship
Full bursaries available to Development Studies MPhil applicants whose primary citizenship is African.
Small Island Developing States Scholarship
For PhD students who are citizens of Small Island Developing States of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Cambridge Scholarship
Available to applicants from developing member countries of the Commonwealth, at Masters or PhD level.
Chevening/Cambridge Scholarship
Available to Masters applicants from all Chevening eligible countries.
Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship
Full-cost scholarships for PhD students from any country in Africa.
Commonwealth Shared Cambridge Scholarship
Available to Masters applicants from certain developing member countries of the Commonwealth
College funding opportunities
Yusuf Hamied Emerging and Developing Countries Bursaries (Christ’s College)
The Corpus Christi College and Judith E. Wilson MPhil Studentship in English
Darnton Vice-Chancellor’s Studentship (Darwin College)
Moorman Fellowship (Magdalene College)
The Alexander Crummell Master’s & PhD Scholarships (Queens’ College)
John Lawrence Studentship (Queens’ College)
Balgobin Family Scholarship (Wolfson College)
We’d also recommend checking individual college webpages for updated eligibility information and any newly available funding.
Additional resources
Cambridge Global Challenges maintains list of Cambridge College Studentships which supports research aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international development.
In addition to the examples above, The Cambridge Trust offers a wide range of scholarships for overseas students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses at Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge also provides guidance on Undergraduate Fees and Finance and Postgraduate Funding.
We welcome expressions of interest from senior University members for research projects that contribute to the aims of the Legacies of Enslavement Special Initiative. The remit is broad, and proposals may focus on historical work across any discipline or explore contemporary legacies and afterlives of enslavement and forced labour. Projects may draw on archival, material, legal, social, cultural, or community‑engaged approaches. Interdisciplinary work is encouraged.
Funding available
The Special Initiative will support two research projects, each hosting a two‑year Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA). Funding will cover the salary costs of the Fellow, appointed through the host Faculty or Department.
Who can apply
Applications are open to senior members of the University (Assistant Professor level or equivalent) who will act as Principal Investigator and supervisor to the PDRA.
Timeline
Expressions of interest must be submitted by 27 February 2026.
How to apply
Expressions of interest should be submitted using the Legacies of Enslavement research project application form.