STAR (student travel and research) grants

STAR grants are available to assist St Antony’s students in their research related expenses or to fund attendance at conferences to which students have been invited to present their research findings. 

About STAR grants

Grants are offered from a range of College funds such as the Antonian Fund, Peter Fitzpatrick Fund and Chigusa Trust Fund. Award letters will state from which fund successful students have been supported.

The resources supporting the STAR grants are currently limited and we receive a high number of applications every term. In general, DPhil students should not normally expect to receive total grants in excess of £600 during their time at the College and Master’s students should not expect to receive grants in excess of £200 for each year of their course. It is imperative that students consider all avenues for funding and do not develop proposals for which a STAR grant in excess of these amounts would be required.

Increasing the funds that are available for student travel and research is a recognised College priority. The recent success of the Telethon fundraising campaign for the Antonian Fund has seen the funds available for STAR grants starting to grow and we hope that, as a result, a greater number of students will be able to receive awards. 

DPhil Oriental Studies student Abigail Zammit used a grant from the Carr & Stahl Fund to support her fieldwork in Israel in 2015. During her trip she was able to photograph ostraca (inscribed pottery sherds) discovered in the 1930s as well as visit archaeological sites relevant to her research. Abigail says: “I carefully scrutinized all four inscriptions under the lens to confirm or dismiss any suspicions I may have had, especially wherever the ink is fading or has faded badly, and I further had an enriching first-hand experience while exploring the archaeological sites themselves. With my close-up observations, digital photographs, and other collected data, I will be able to contribute further to my research topic, and to confirm, revise or reject my readings of the Lachish Letters’ inscriptions where possible, to be presented in my doctoral thesis.  I wish to express my sincerest thanks to the Carr and Stahl Fund for their contribution to my research project in Israel, which turned out to be a worthwhile opportunity and a personally rewarding academic experience.”

Selection criteria

Preference will be given to DPhil students towards either fieldwork or for presentation at a conference.

Applications will also be considered from:

Due to the limited funding available, we are unable to offer grants for:

Students are strongly urged to seek funding from other sources, including their Departments or Faculties. The University’s Fees and Funding website has a guide to funding for current graduates. Given the limited funding available, evidence of students’ initiative in securing additional funding may be taken into consideration as part of the selection process. 

How to apply

Applications consist of three parts:

  1. An application form below. The form includes information about the purpose of your application and your budget and funding situation. Please complete the form in full. The form will be available to complete from approximately four weeks before the application deadline each term.
  2. Your Curriculum Vitae/résumé (maximum two pages)
  3. A reference, which must be emailed to the Academic Office Team for the Senior Tutor’s attention. The reference should comment on your academic achievements and suitability for a STAR grant.

When to apply

There are three application deadlines each academic year. You should apply at the deadline closest to your intended travel/research activity. Retrospective applications i.e. for funding for events which will have taken place by the deadline, will not be accepted.

Applications should be emailed to the Academic Office Team by 5pm on Monday of 6th week*:

Ensure your reference is sent directly by your supervisor by the same deadline.

Successful applicants will be notified within 3 – 4 weeks of the closing date.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

*It may be possible to review funding applications at other times if applicants can demonstrate that they were not able to apply by one of the three deadlines (e.g. because a conference was not announced/confirmed).

Apply here:

Student Travel and Research (STAR) Grants Application Form 2023-24

Where next?

Apply to The Antonian Fund

Find out more

Apply for a Writing-Up Bursary

Find out more

Other funding for current students

Find out more