The ACU has this week announced the launch of two new UK-based studentships to fund research projects with a Commonwealth theme. With 53 member nations across the globe, the Commonwealth is a unique international community of cultures, races, languages and faiths, bound by a shared commitment to development, democracy, and peace. By enabling research which relates directly to the Commonwealth as a whole or has particular relevance to its member nations, these new studentships will promote collaboration and reinforce the shared values and goals of the Commonwealth network.

These unique annual awards are jointly funded by The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and its publisher, Routledge, and delivered in association with the ACU.

The first award is available to registered PhD students from UK universities, resident in the UK, and has a value of £4,000.

The second is open to registered PhD students from ACU member universities from outside the UK, as well as Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars. This studentship has a value of £8,000.

Dr Joanna Newman, ACU Chief Executive and Secretary General, said: 'The ACU is committed to supporting high-quality research across our member institutions, and we are delighted to launch these new studentships in collaboration with The Round Table and Routledge. The research funded through these opportunities will help highlight and demonstrate the value of the Commonwealth as a framework for collaboration on the key issues of our time.'

Commenting on this launch, Richard Bourne, former Chair of The Round Table, said, ‘In offering these new graduate studentships The Round Table, the oldest international affairs journal in the UK, is committing itself afresh to the ongoing intellectual vitality of the Commonwealth. We look forward to welcoming quality research projects from successful applicants, and thank our publisher, Routledge/Taylor & Francis, and our valued collaborator, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, for supporting these innovative awards.’

Dan Trinder, Associate Editorial Director, Routledge, added, ‘As long-standing publishers of The Round Table we are delighted to be able to support the new graduate studentships. The journal itself and the graduate studentships themselves form part of a broad range of activities designed to engage with and enrich understanding of Commonwealth issues', more details of which can be found at www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk.

To find out more, check your eligibility or apply for the scheme visit the web page.

Applications open on Wednesday 15 May, and close on Sunday 30 June.

For all enquiries, please email Alex May.