Announcing the new Essex Summer School Scholarship for PhD students in the Global South(*)

The Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis is excited to announce the Essex Summer School Scholarship for PhD students in the Global South. These awards intend to provide advanced methodological training for graduate students in political science in the Global South. We offer access to the training and the materials used in our intermediate and advanced methods courses.

The Global South scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in Political Science PhD programs in institutions located in the Global South. The scholarship provides a tuition waiver to attend  one of our two-week intermediate or advanced sessions in the 2025 Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis (ESS). Students can attend in person or virtually. Introductory courses do not qualify for the Global South scholarship, but applicants are welcome to enrol in introductory courses at their own expense.

Please submit the following materials to essexsummerschoolssdascholarship@essex.ac.uk indicating the email subject “Global South Scholarship.”

  1. A cover letter stating:

 

          • Your research area and how your experience at the ESS will assist you in completing your degree programme. Please indicate 1) which course you intend to take, 2) how this course would strengthen your dissertation work, and 3) if you plan to attend virtually or in person (please check the website for virtual, in-person, and hybrid course offerings).
          • Prior statistical/methodological training that ensures the participant meets the prerequisites for the course proposed (please check the background knowledge required for the course you intend to take).
  2. A current CV.
  3. Proof of current enrolment in a PhD program in political science in the Global South (it is not necessary to submit official documents).

 

Deadline: 15 May 2025, 5 pm (BST).

Decisions: Awardees will be notified by 27 May 2025.

Given the volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to notify non-recipients or to provide feedback on applications.

Selection criteria: Scholarships will be awarded in a two-stage process. First, complete applications that meet the criteria ( [1] current enrolment in a PhD/doctorate in political science [2] in an institution in the Global South, [3] applying to a non-introductory course and [4] sufficient background knowledge to take that course) will be assessed based on how the applicant’s experience at the Essex Summer School would assist them in completing their degree programme (i.e., how the course would help the applicant’s dissertation work). Clear connection between the proposed course and the dissertation project is key. Second, all applications that meet that threshold will be entered in a random draw.

Points to note:

Successful applicants will be required to submit an ESS application form within 2 weeks of receiving notice of the award. If the application form is not received within this timeframe, ESS maintains the right to withdraw the award and offer it to another candidate.

By accepting the scholarship, you are agreeing to be included in ESS promotional material, including photography that could be used on the ESS website.

 

FAQs

  • What does the Global South scholarship cover?

The fellowship provides full tuition coverage for participation in a one two-week course during the summer of 2025. Courses may be attended either virtually or in person. Applicants must specify their preferred mode of participation when applying.

For in-person participation, fellowship recipients are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, and any required visas. For virtual participation, applicants should consult the Summer School website to confirm that their selected course is offered in a hybrid or online format before applying.

  • Can I apply for the Global South scholarship to take any ESS course?

No. The course you are applying for must be classified as ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced,’ as Global South scholarships do not cover introductory courses. However, applicants are welcome to enrol in introductory courses at their own expense.

  • I had planned to use the Global South scholarship for in-person participation, but just learned that my visa was denied, so I cannot travel to the UK. Can I take the course virtually instead?

Yes, provided the course is offered hybrid or online.

  • I am a citizen of a Global South country conducting my PhD studies in an institution in the Global North. Can I apply to the Global South scholarship?

No. The scholarship is not based on citizenship, nationality, or residence of the applicant. It is based on the location of the institution where you are pursuing your PhD/doctorate degree in political science.

  • I am pursuing a doctorate in international relations. Can I apply to the Global South scholarship?

Yes, the Global South scholarship is open to those pursuing a PhD/doctorate degree in political science broadly understood (including international relations, political theory, discourse analysis…). The application needs to be clear regarding how the course you propose to take will help advance your dissertation work.

  • Can I apply to the Global South scholarship if I have already applied to the ESS?

Yes. In case of receiving the scholarship, the ESS will issue a refund.

  • Can I apply to the ESS before the Global South scholarships’ decisions?

Yes. If you are planning to apply before the scholarship decision, please indicate you are also applying to the Global South scholarship. In case of receiving the scholarship, the ESS will issue a refund.

  • Do I need a recommendation letter?

No, it is not necessary to include references or recommendation letters.

  • If I applied for virtual participation and receive the scholarship, what do I need to take the course?

You will need to be able to attend to all sessions of the two-week course. For that, you will need a computer and internet access during the time of the classes (please be aware of time zone differences). The course materials (i.e. digital publications) are provided by the ESS as part of the scholarship.

(*) Global South includes countries in Africa, developing Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East/North Africa, the Pacific, and South and Southeast Asia. In case of doubt, consult the United Nations’ Finance Centre for South-South Cooperation list of countries.