College competitions and studentships

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 31 March 2026. 

You should expect to hear the outcome of your application by the end of Easter Term 2026. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The following awards are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students via competition. For current students, and as a reminder of the awards available each year, they are advertised in the Downing Electronic Newsletter (DEN) in the Lent Term. Only applications completed in full and submitted by the published deadline can be considered. Should you have any concerns regarding an application or submission, please email tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk or call into the Tutorial Office on B staircase to discuss in advance of the submission deadline. 

All these require an individual application via Microsoft Forms using your Downing credentials; please see the application guidelines below.

Applications from non-Downing students

If you are making an application for the following competitions and studentships, but are currently a non-Downing student, the following awards are conditional upon you becoming a member of Downing College. Please express your interest in one or more of the following by email to tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk. 

 

College competitions for undergraduate students

Prize and eligibility

 

Application guidelines

 

Award

 

Charlie Ellington Fund in Biological Sciences

 

For undergraduate students in Biological Sciences only.

 For undergraduate students in biological sciences to undertake field trips and laboratory-based research out of term.

Two grants of £1,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Harrison Prize for a biological dissertation 

 

The late Professor Sir Richard Harrison MD FRS, a former Honorary Fellow of the College and Professor of Anatomy in the University, endowed an annual prize for an outstanding Dissertation describing practical work in a Biological Subject carried out by a Downing undergraduate in their final year.

To all undergraduates in their final year reading Biological subjects in Part II or Part III of their Tripos.

 Applicants for the prize are invited to supply an electronic copy of any dissertation to be submitted as part of this year’s practical requirement (please note that BBS Dissertations are not eligible). The Dissertation will be considered by a panel of Biological Fellows at Downing. Please ask your Project Supervisor to provide a reference for your application.  

£100

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 12 noon.

Judy C. Petty Prize for Music and the Arts for undergraduates

 

This award, generously funded by Edward G. Blankenship, is open to Downing undergraduates who have made an outstanding contribution to Music and the Arts whilst at Cambridge. 

Any junior member of the College who hopes to graduate in June is eligible to apply. 

 Please provide a statement (maximum one side of A4) outlining your contribution to music and the arts whilst at Cambridge. Please ask your Tutor and a nominated Downing Fellow to provide a supporting statement which you must submit with your application. 

Up to two Prizes of £200 available.

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Pilley Prize for undergraduates 

 

In accordance with the provisions of The Pilley Trust, the Governing Body offers up to four Pilley Prizes every year to those who have shown proficiency in University examinations and who have also displayed good influence and qualities of leadership in the College through participation in College team sports. 

Any junior member of the College who hopes to graduate in June is eligible to apply. 

 Please ask your Tutor and a nominated Downing Fellow to provide a supporting statement which you must submit with your application. 

Up to four Prizes of £200 each are available.

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

John Treherne Prize for creative writing for undergraduates

 

Following a generous benefaction from P.D. James (Baroness James), Honorary Fellow of the College, three John Treherne Prizes are offered every year for creative writing by undergraduate members of Downing College. The Prizes are named after the late Dr John Treherne, a Fellow of the College for many years, who died in 1989.

Prizes are awarded for works of poetry, autobiography or fiction. The entries will be judged by a Committee of Fellows. All candidates retain copyright of their submission.

All winning entries will automatically be published in the next edition of ‘The Leaves’. Candidates who are unsuccessful in this competition are welcome to submit their entry to ‘The Leaves’ for publication.

1. The overall maximum word count for submissions is 3,000 and all pieces of work must be typed.

2. Applicants can submit work in any of the following categories: (a) Poetry; (b) Chapter of a novel; (c) Autobiography; (d) Short story. Entries including more than one genre or more than one poem are welcomed as long as the overall submission does not exceed the maximum word count (see 1). Only one document can be uploaded per category.

3. All pieces of work must contain the statement ‘I declare this work is entirely my own and has not been written in collaboration with any other person’. 

4. The judging of the competition is anonymous, so documents should not include names, initials or any other information identifying the author.

Three prizes of £500, £250 and £100.

 

Prizes will only be awarded for work which is judged to be of sufficient merit. 

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

R.J. White Prize for an essay in History for undergraduates 

 

This prize is offered each year for the best essay on any historical subject by an undergraduate of Downing College. Entries may be composed specifically for the competition or relate to existing Tripos work. The competition will be judged by a committee of Fellows. 

For undergraduates only.

1. The overall maximum word count for submissions is 3,000 and the essay must be typed and documented where appropriate.

2. Applicants must submit one essay on a historical subject. Entries may be composed specifically for the competition or relate to existing Tripos work.

3. Entries must contain the statement ‘I declare this work is entirely my own and has not been written in collaboration with any other person’.

£200

 

The Prize will only be awarded to work judged to be of sufficient merit.

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

 

College competitions for postgraduate students

Prize and eligibility

 

Application guidelines

 

Award

 

Florence and David Jacobs Memorial Prize for undertaking medical research for postgraduates 

 

The Governing Body invites applications for the Florence and David Jacobs Memorial Prize for a Postgraduate student undertaking medical research. This Prize was endowed by a legacy in memory of Florence and David Jacobs from their son, Ivor Jacobs, who came up to Downing in 1945 to read English. 

 Please submit a one page CV and statement of research (not exceeding 600 words), as well as supporting statements from two senior persons acquainted with your research.

£200

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Howard Foundation Travel Scholarship for STEM subjects

Postgraduate students only. 

 Contribute towards the cost of national and international travel to academic conferences or meetings, as well as accommodation and registration fees. This is open to postgraduate students in STEM subjects currently matriculated at Downing College to advance their research and foster collaboration internationally. 

£2,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Oon Khye Beng Ch'Hia Tsio Studentship in Preventative Medicine

Postgraduates students only.

 Applications welcome from Postgraduate students registered for the PhD Degree entering the 2nd or 3rd year of their PhD studies. Candidates should indicate how they intend to spend the award on their research (for example, attend supplementary training, a conference, or go on a research placement) and should have a specific need such as these

£2,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Percy Lander Studentship

Postgraduate students only.

 To fund a specific research or training need in Preventative Medicine. The Bursary is not intended to fund the writing up or submission of a thesis and can only be taken up following submission.   

£1,500

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Treherne Studentship for PhD

Treherne Studentship for PhD students entering the 2nd or 3rd year

Postgraduate

 To fund a specific research or training need in Preventative Medicine. The Bursary is not intended to fund the writing up or submission of a thesis and can only be taken up following submission.  

£1,500

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

 

College competitions for both undergraduate and postgraduate students

Competition and eligibility

 

Application guidelines

 

Award

 

Glynn Jones Scholarship in Management

 

Applications are invited from students who have studied for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree as members of Downing who wish to further their education for careers in the business and management fields and wish to pursue a course leading to the MBA or a qualification of equivalent standing not commencing in advance of the start of the forthcoming academic year.

Applicants must have fulfilled the requirements of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree as members of Downing by the start date of the course for which the award is made. 

 

Award is conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing College.

Full cost of for an MBA or equivalent Management programme.

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

John Butterfield Harvard Award 

To attend a course at Harvard University in the US

 Current postgraduate or undergraduate student to attend a course at Harvard University in the US, which could be a summer school course, a course on the visiting student, Masters’ or Doctorate programme, or any other appropriate academic course.   Online courses are not eligible for funding. 

Up to £5,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

John Maples America Fund 

To attend a Summer placement, internship or other vacation study in the US

 

Read more information on the John Maples America Fund

 

 Supporting the travel and maintenance costs of current undergraduate and postgraduate members of Downing College during a Summer placement, internship (paid or unpaid) or other vacation study project in the US in the broad areas of business, law, politics or international relations.

Up to £2,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

John Whitworth Postgraduate Studentship in Natural Sciences or Geography

 One fully funded Studentship to the level of home fees only (partial award should overseas fees apply) in Natural Sciences or Geography to support a postgraduate course at Downing. Applicants must have fulfilled the requirements of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree as member of Downing by the start date of the course for which the award is made.

£12,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Matthew/McKinley Travel Fund

To attend an academic conference in North America

 

 For travel and associated costs to support current Downing students whether Undergraduate or Postgraduate, attending an academic conference in North America, to either present a poster pr give an oral presentation. Preference will begiven to students in the fields of Chemical Engineering or Natural Sciences (although not exclusively)

Up to £800

 

NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

Oon Khye Beng Ch’hia Tsio Small Grant

To assist research in any aspect of preventive medicine

 To assist research in any respect of preventive medicine interpreted in the broadest sense) by undergraduate or postgraduate members of Downing. Such research could be undertaken by clinical students during their period of elective study and some projects by Part II or Part III Biological Natural Scientists might also be eligible. 

Up to £500

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.

Angharad Dodds John Bursary in Mental Health and Neuropsychiatry

 

To support a postgraduate student’s residence in Cambridge in order to undertake further research and scholarship, with a specific view to the publication of their research findings.

 Candidates must be registered for the PhD Degree in University of Cambridge and should be entering the 4th year of their PhD studies and be a position to publish.

Up to £12,500

 

NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

Ralph Lewin – F E Fritsch PhD Studentship in Phycology

 

One fully-funded studentship in Phycology (the study of algae) at the Department of Plant Sciences available to UK and EU applicants with a 'Home' fee status intending to register for the PhD Degree in the Department of Plant Sciences.

 The studentship is tenable for up to three years to cover College and University Fees, as well as a contribution towards research expenses and a living allowance. The Department of Plant Sciences administers the studentship with the College as part of their admissions' process. The Award is conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing College, if not already a member. The Department of Plant Sciences assist Downing with the appointment of the studentship.  NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

Alf Monk for a Masters course in English

 

One-year MPhil course of study in English to UK applicants with 'Home' fee status.

 Award is conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing College, if not already a member.

£12,000 

 

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the application process via the central Postgraduate admissions funding process.

Percy Lander for a Masters course in Medical Sciences

 One year MPhil course of study in Medical Sciences with a preference for cancer/chemotherapy to UK applicants with 'Home' fee status.

£12,000

 

No separate application form required, assessed as part of the application process via the central Postgraduate admissions funding process.

Robson Postgraduate Studentship in Electrical Sciences

Towards the cost of a Masters’ Course in the fields of Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science.

 The studentship is conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing College, if not already a member, regardless of fee status. Students in the fields of Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science are encouraged to apply.

Up to £12,000

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 12 noon

Sutcliffe Postgraduate Studentship for a Masters’ course in Maritime Archaeology

 Towards the cost of a Masters’ course in Maritime Archaeology at Downing. Award is conditional upon the recipient becoming a member of Downing College, if not already a member.

Up to £12,000

 

NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

Tazaki Cambridge PhD Studentship 

With a strong computer element to Japanese Nationals.

 One fully funded studentship in Computer Science or other related subjects with a strong Computer Science element to Japanese nationals. 

No separate application required, assessed as part of the application process via the central Postgraduate admissions funding process.

 

The Cambridge Trust website.

The Rowan Williams Cambridge Postgraduate Studentship

Available at any College, to applicants at all levels (undergraduate and postgraduate), in any subject and tenable at any College. 

 

Applicants should be from an area of instability or zone of conflict and/or have been at risk of discrimination, persecution, suffering, violence or other abuse of their human rights.

No separate application required, assessed as part of the application process via the central Postgraduate admissions funding process.

 

The Cambridge Trust website.

Jardine Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

  

IMPORTANT UPDATE 

The Jardine Foundation has announced that, following a strategic review, it will be increasing its focus and investment in Asia, expanding opportunities for local students to study at leading universities in the region.

As part of this renewed focus, the Foundation will make no further awards for Oxford and Cambridge undergraduate courses with effect from the 2027 academic year onwards. This means that scholarships already granted to students commencing their undergraduate studies in autumn 2026 will be the final awards made under the Oxbridge undergraduate scheme, and no further applications will be accepted.

All current undergraduate Jardine Scholars at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as 2026 awardees, will continue to receive full financial and other support until the completion of their studies.

This change applies only to the undergraduate scholarship scheme with Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The Foundation’s support for its existing postgraduate scholarship programmes with Oxford and Cambridge Universities will continue unchanged.

Jardine Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

 Offer holders from Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam may be offered a scholarship to study at Downing. 

The College Postgraduate Admissions Officer will contact you if you have received an offer of admissions and are eligible by the deadline. 

The deadline is normally approximately mid-March each year.

Parke Davis Postgraduate Studentship in Biological Science

 One fully-funded Studentship available for a postgraduate course of study available to citizens of the United States (at the time of application) with an 'Overseas' fee status. 

Administered by the Marshall Aid Commission.

How to Apply – Marshall Scholarships.

Voellm-Hruska Graduate Studentship

 To work on Professor David Wales' Project on machine learning and critical care NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Twining Egginton Prize in Fine Art

 

For both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 Awarded by the Governing Body for original work which is judged to be of sufficient merit (painting, drawing or sculpture in any medium, and photographic or digital art) by any current undergraduate or postgraduate member of Downing.

Applications administered by the Keeper of The Heong Gallery.

Expressions of interest to gallery@dow.cam.ac.uk required by March 2026.

Darley Sands Masters’ Studentship

 To be use for postgraduate research into the diseases of ageing, ageing management and longevity. NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2026/2027

The Downing Enterprise Grants

 

For both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 Grants to support costs associated with enterprise projects: Internship with a start-up, research into a new enterprise, building of a prototype, any other project deemed to be of an entrepreneurial nature.

Up to £500

 

Apply here via Microsoft Forms.

 

Deadline: 31 March 2026 at 12 noon.