BBritish Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
Partially funded
BFWG Academic Awards
British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG), United Kingdom
Scholarship overview
The British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) Academic Awards are merit awards for women doctoral students at universities in England, Wales or Scotland, usually in their second year of doctoral research (or part-time equivalent) when they apply. They are given for overall academic excellence, not financial need.
BFWG has made academic awards since 1912. Five to eight awards are usually made each year, depending on funds and the quality of applications. In 2025, four awards totalling £20,000 were made. Applicants from any nationality may apply; students seeking help mainly because of financial need are directed to Funds for Women Graduates, and may apply to both.
Award Information
- Woman working towards a research or professional doctorate; master's students are not eligible.
- Registered at a university in England, Wales or Scotland (not Northern Ireland).
- Resident, at least temporarily, in England, Wales or Scotland; distance learners permanently based overseas are not eligible (fieldwork absences are accepted).
- 2026 round: full-time students expecting to submit between March 2027 and February 2028, or part-time students expecting to submit between March 2027 and February 2029; do not apply if submitting before the end of February 2027.
- Confident of registration for 2026/27; payment requires evidence that fees for the year from October 2026 are paid or waived.
- First-time applicants only; you can apply only once.
- Awards from £1,000 upwards, averaging around £3,000, maximum £6,000 (2026 round).
- Paid in October/November, with a further payment the following spring.
2026 round: applications closed at 9am on Monday 2 March 2026; references were due 9 March 2026. Shortlisted candidates were informed by early July and presented in July 2026. The 2027 round opens in early January 2027.
- Check eligibility using the BFWG online questions.
- Download and complete the application form.
- Pay the non-refundable £25.00 application fee via PayPal.
- Email the application form to [email protected] with the subject 'AWARD APPLICATION'.
- Ask your referees to email references to [email protected] by the reference deadline.
- If shortlisted, give an 8-minute presentation on your research to an academic panel, followed by questions.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Completed BFWG application form
- Proof of £25.00 application fee payment
- Referee reports covering academic progress, capacity for independent research, thesis progress and outreach
- Evidence that fees for the award year are paid or waived (before payment)
How selection works
- Applications are judged on overall academic excellence, quality of research and the ability to communicate it, using the application form, referee reports and outreach activities.
- Shortlisted candidates give a short in-person presentation (usually in London in July; online in exceptional cases).
- Final selection is made in June/July.
