PETER KIRK EUROPEAN TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS

WHAT WE OFFER

Ten to twelve Scholarships each worth £1,500 are offered annually.

Special conditions are attached to two of the scholarships:

• One is reserved for an agricultural or associated subject (code A);
• One award, from the French Huguenot Church, gives preference to the members of that church and those of French Huguenot descent (code F).

You must use the award money to undertake research in a European country or countries other than your own. It is not intended to cover all your expenses – you must be prepared to supplement it. Money will be given out in two parts: for a £1,500 award - normally £1000 in time to book travel; £500 on acceptance of your report.

The Scholarships are open to British nationals, and those of any other European country. Applicants are required to have been in full-time education at some time during the 12 months preceding their application and should be aged 18 - 26 at the time they travel. Your application will be considered in the light of your age and experience.

When drawing up the list of candidates to be interviewed, and when deciding who should be awarded scholarships the selectors consider academic qualifications to be less important than enthusiasm and the ability to carry through an independent project in a foreign country.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

A. Before you submit your application

• Choose an aspect of modern European life which interests you.
• Prepare a summary of an investigation, which you would undertake in at least one other country. You may use your own country for comparison but the costs of this part cannot be funded from the scholarship. You would normally be expected to visit another country or countries for between 6 weeks and 3 months. One of the countries could be outside Europe provided your project concerns the effect(s) of some modern European influences on that country.

B. If you are awarded a scholarship

• Provide a written report within three months of your return from fieldwork.

A FEW EXAMPLES OF RECENT PROJECTS:

• A photographic record of everyday life in Paris.
• Examining the role of smart and sustainable architecture in the Netherlands.
• Exploring the differing levels of visibility of homelessness within major European capital cities.
• Florentine culture: a prevalent artistic force in modern Italy or simply a relic of its Renaissance past?
• Ostalgia: what has happened to memories of East Berlin?
• The lasting legacy of war in Europe.
• The role of minority languages in France and Spain.
• Traditional summer festivals in Scandinavia and the study of their origins.
  

Click on Comments from previous scholars to read about the experiences of some former scholars.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Peter Kirk Scholarships are awarded for independent study projects. SCHOLARSHIPS CANNOT BE USED TO PAY FOR COURSE WORK WHICH IS REQUIRED AS PART OF AN ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION but applicants sometimes find it possible to undertake an independent project alongside studies abroad. Contact mail@kirkfund.org.uk if uncertain of your position.

Your attention is drawn to the IMPORTANT NOTE at the foot of How to apply.