Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship

The Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarships were set up in memory of Christine Bolt and funded by Ian Bolt. University of Kent states that successful applicants will be awarded up to £10,000 each (to include tuition fees) to support a sustained period of research in America for up to one year. For applicants who cannot or do not wish to travel in person, the funds can also be used to access and acquire digital and electronic copies of original material from the USA.

University of Kent states that scholarships are aimed at students whose area of research has an American element and/or where the centre of expertise or an important source of research material is located in the United States of America. The scholarship is available for up to three scholars, and applicants must either hold a course offer for a September intake for full-time or part-time postgraduate research or taught degrees at the University of Kent, or be a current Kent postgraduate student within one of the listed Academic Schools.

University of Kent states that successful applicants are selected based on academic excellence, achievements to date in the chosen field, and communication skills. Preference is given to students and candidates who have not had the opportunity to live or study for an extended period of time in the USA. Candidates must also be available for a video interview via Microsoft Teams in late August or September (exact date confirmed later).

University of Kent states the award can support a sustained period of research in America for up to one year, and in exceptional circumstances scholarship holders may be invited to re-apply for a further one year of funding. The scholarship criteria also require applicants to act as an ‘ambassador’ for both the University and their subject, and to convey their project clearly to non-experts without jargon.

• Hold an excellent bachelor's degree (1st or 2.1), or a master's degree (merit or distinction).
• Hold a course offer for a September intake for a full-time or part-time postgraduate research or taught degree at the University of Kent, OR be a current Kent postgraduate student within one of the listed Academic Schools: Kent Law School; School of Arts and Architecture; School of Humanities; School of Psychology; The Language Centre; School of Social Sciences; or degree courses within the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology of the School of Natural Sciences.
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and be able to explain the project clearly and without jargon to non-experts.
• Convey passion for the project to a wider audience and convince the panel of the project's wider value.
• Act as an ‘ambassador’ for both the University and the applicant’s subject.
• Scholarship is aimed at students whose area of research has an American element and/or where the centre of expertise or an important source of research material is located in the United States of America.
• Have preference given to students and candidates who have not had the opportunity to live or study for an extended period of time in the USA.
• Be available for video interview via Microsoft Teams in late August or September (exact date confirmed).

• Award value: up to £10,000 each (to include tuition fees).
• Support for a sustained period of research in America for up to one year.
• For those who cannot or do not wish to travel to America in person, funds may be used to access and acquire digital and electronic copies of original material from the USA.

1. Apply by submitting separate documents via the Kent Vision portal before the deadline.
2. Submit a research proposal of approximately 2000 words.
3. Submit a CV.
4. Submit a covering letter stating the reasons why the applicant would wish to receive the scholarship; include the names of two referees.
5. Submit a proposed budget showing use of the scholarship funds.
6. Submit academic references from two referees, written in English on official headed paper (via email directly from the referee if that is not possible).
7. Ensure all documents are uploaded before the deadline, as the application will not be considered until all documents have been received.

• Research proposal of approximately 2000 words.
• CV.
• Covering letter stating reasons for wanting to receive the scholarship, including the names of two referees.
• Proposed budget showing use of the scholarship funds.
• Academic references from two referees, written in English on official headed paper (via email directly from the referee if this is not possible).
• For each reference: suitability on both academic and general grounds; full name and status/title of referee; name, address and telephone number of referee’s institution or place of work; details of referee’s relationship to applicant; full name of applicant; reference to the Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship.
• All documents must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.