FFunds for Women Graduates (BFWG Charitable Foundation)
Partially funded
Funds for Women Graduates Foundation Grant
Funds for Women Graduates (BFWG Charitable Foundation), United Kingdom
Scholarship overview
Foundation Grants from Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) help women graduates with living expenses in the final year of a PhD, DPhil or equivalent research or professional doctorate at an approved higher education institution in Great Britain. They do not cover fees.
FfWG is an educational charity and the trading name of the BFWG Charitable Foundation, a subsidiary of the British Federation of Women Graduates. Women from Great Britain and overseas can apply, in any subject. Since 1993 the charity has awarded over £4.5 million to more than 2,400 women.
Grants are needs-based and awarded on proven need and academic calibre; competition is strong and not all grants are for the maximum amount.
Award Information
- Woman graduate from Great Britain or overseas.
- Registered for study at an approved institution of higher education in Great Britain, doing the bulk of the study in Great Britain, and resident in Great Britain during the final year.
- In the final year of a PhD, DPhil or equivalent research or professional doctorate.
- Part-time PhD/DPhil students may apply from their third year onwards (not for a fourth year part time).
- Any subject or field of study.
- No upper age limit.
- Evidence of ability to pay fees is required.
- A final year starting in January may be funded from January only.
- Previous Foundation Grant holders cannot apply again (they may apply for an Emergency Grant).
- Up to £6,500 towards living expenses for one academic year (2026).
- The amount is decided by FfWG and is based on need; not all grants are for the maximum.
- No funding for fees, overseas fieldwork, or the period after thesis submission (e.g. waiting for a viva).
2026 round: applications opened 28 January 2026 and closed 27 March 2026; results in July 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are currently closed.
- Complete the online eligibility check on the FfWG website.
- Complete the online application form with course, financial and personal details.
- Provide contact details for two referees (one must be academic); FfWG emails them with guidance and the reference deadline.
- Submit before the closing date.
Official links
Documents you will need
- University course with start and end dates
- Number of children (if relevant)
- Degrees and qualifications
- Employment record
- Reason for applying for a grant
- How the previous year was financed
- Other funding sources applied to
- Income and expenditure
- Two referees, one academic and one academic or professional
- Evidence of ability to pay fees
How selection works
- Applications are assessed by a grants committee of women from a range of backgrounds and subjects, including BFWG representatives.
- The committee considers the reason for the funding shortfall, financial need and the referees' reports, alongside academic calibre.
- Grant holders must submit a written report at the end of the funded academic year.
