Bernard Afrifa
Clare Hall, one of the most prestigious graduate colleges at the University of Cambridge, is offering two exceptional research fellowship opportunities for 2025: the Betty Behrens Research Fellowship and the Isaac Newton Trust Research Fellowship. These fellowships are tailored for early-career researchers in the fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences, providing financial support, a collaborative academic environment, and invaluable networking opportunities to foster academic growth.
Types of Clare Hall Fellowships
Clare Hall offers two key fellowships with different focuses, but both provide a platform for researchers to make significant academic contributions:
1. Betty Behrens Research Fellowship
Start Date: October 2025
This three-year funded fellowship is dedicated to promoting research on understanding and alleviating antisocial behaviors that result in significant personal and societal issues. Previous fellows have focused on criminology, developmental psychology, and related fields.
Benefits:
- Annual Allowance: £37,233.09 (subject to inflation).
- Complimentary Meals: Provided to fellows.
- Accommodation: Limited lodging options available for fellows, partners, and families.
Eligibility Requirements:
- PhD: Recent graduates or near completion of PhD (thesis submission required by application deadline).
- Research Focus: Should align with antisocial behavior and personality disorders.
- Previous Fellowships: Applicants must not have held a research fellowship at Oxford or Cambridge previously.
2. Isaac Newton Trust Research Fellowship
Start Date: October 2025
This fellowship, supported by the Isaac Newton Trust, is available for researchers in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This is also a three-year fellowship designed to support early-career researchers who wish to continue developing their research projects.
Benefits:
- Annual Allowance: £37,233.09 (subject to inflation).
- Complimentary Meals: Provided to fellows.
- Accommodation: Available on a paid rental basis.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Post-Doctoral Research: Must have completed post-doctoral research within the last five years.
- PhD: Must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Previous Fellowships: Preference is given to those who have not previously held similar fellowships at Oxford or Cambridge.
How to Apply for Clare Hall Fellowships
To apply for either of these fellowships, follow these steps:
- Prepare Required Documents:
- Cover Letter: One-page application letter.
- CV: Two-page CV including a list of publications.
- Personal Statement: One-page statement outlining your research path and motivation.
- Research Proposal: Maximum 1500-word proposal covering your research background, methodology, and anticipated outcomes.
- Work Sample: A research article or a section of your thesis.
- Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation and a statement from your department head confirming resource availability.
- Submit Application:
Complete the application through the Clare Hall Fellowship Application Portal. - Wait for Selection:
Once the application period closes, await the outcome of the selection process.
For more detailed information, visit the official application page:
Clare Hall Research Fellowships at University of Cambridge
FAQs
1. What are the eligibility criteria for the Clare Hall Fellowships?
For both fellowships, applicants should either have completed or be near completing their PhD. Candidates must have research interests aligned with the fellowship focus (antisocial behavior for Betty Behrens, and arts, humanities, and social sciences for Isaac Newton Trust).
2. What benefits do fellows receive?
Fellows receive an annual stipend of £37,233.09, complimentary meals, and accommodation options. The fellowship also provides a collaborative research environment and networking opportunities.
3. Can I apply if I have already held a similar fellowship at another institution?
Preference is given to applicants who have not previously held a similar research fellowship at Oxford or Cambridge.
