Applications for 1851 Industrial Fellowships invited

(14 November 2013) - Applications for 2014 awards of 1851 Royal Commission Industrial Fellowships are now being invited. The Fellowships are worth up to £80,000 over three years, and the most recent cohort included three EngD candidates.

Anyone considering an EngD project may wish to apply for an Industrial Fellowship from the 1851 Royal Commission. The Fellowships aim to encourage profitable innovation and creativity in British industry by supporting research leading to a patented product or process in conjunction with a PhD/EngD. They are open to outstanding first degree graduates in engineering, science or medicine either nominated directly through a sponsoring company or enrolled on a UK university EngD/industrial doctorate programme.

In 2013 three of the eight Industrial Fellowships awarded went to EngD students all of whom are benefitting from increased funding for their projects, thus enabling more in-depth research to be carried out (2013 case studies).

Candidates from SMEs are particularly encouraged, as the Fellowships pay a substantial proportion of the costs involved; university fees are paid, there is an enhanced stipend for EngD candidates, and £3,500 per annum for travelling expenses. In addition, a £10,000 grant to the university department is paid on completion.

One EngD research engineer said:

"Being an 1851 industrial fellow has contributed a great deal to my EngD studies. Not only has the generous funding allowed for work on the project which otherwise couldn't have been completed, it has allowed for greater travel between my industrial sponsors and the university, which has strengthened the collaborative relationship."

Further information is available on the 1851 Royal Commission website. Applications need to be submitted by Thursday 23 January 2014.

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Editor's notes

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 was established in 1850 by Queen Victoria to organise the hugely successful Great Exhibition in South Kensington, London, in 1851. Sufficient funds remained for the Royal Commission to set up, in 1891, an educational trust to perpetuate its aims. In spite of generous funding of many worthy enterprises right from the outset, these slender resources have been carefully husbanded over the years. Today, with capital assets of over £60m, annual charitable disbursement approaches £2m.

Giving fellowships and grants to pure research in science and engineering, applied research in industry, industrial design and other projects, the Commission supports the development of science and technology, and its profitable exploitation by British industry.