Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Program 2026-27

To be eligible, an applicant must:-

• apply for a full-time or part-time PhD course at the University of Cambridge
• be applying for a PhD (including MRes+PhD 1+3 route)
• be assessed as academically excellent by the Department or Faculty
• not have started their PhD at the University of Cambridge before the application
• not hold a PhD degree or have previously received an HDPSP award (unless approved for exceptional interdisciplinary research)
• be willing to reside in the UK for the majority of study (excluding fieldwork or internships)
• hold admission or be willing to transfer to an eligible Cambridge College (excluding Trinity College or St John’s College) if offered the award

The selected candidates will receive:

• full University Composition Fee for the entire course duration.  
• maintenance allowance of £21,360 to cover living expenses.  
• optional maintenance funding during the 12-month writing-up period, if needed.  
• personal research allowance of £6,000 for books, conferences, and other research-related costs  
• cost of the inbound student visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the full visa period.  
• one round trip in economy class — from the student’s home to Cambridge at the start of the course, and back home after completion.

This scholarship also offers a set of discretionary benefits that are subject to approval in case of necessity. This includes:

• sickness pay equivalent to up to 13 weeks of maintenance within any rolling 12-month period. 
• financial assistance for unexpected situations such as illness, bereavement, or other unforeseen changes since the start of the PhD. 
• parental leave combining paid and unpaid options during an approved study break (intermission) to support new parents.
• child dependant allowance, including visa, IHS, and travel benefits, for Scholars with accompanying children.

Eligible candidates can apply for the scholarship through the following steps:-
Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below. 
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).
Step 3: When applying for the course at the University of Cambridge, applicants must tick the box indicating 'Yes - I wish to apply for funding' to be considered for funding.

Application deadline 1: 02 December 2025
Application deadline 2: 07 January 2025

The dates vary as per the courses. Kindly check before applying.