The CPES Trust was established in 1985 by the Cambridge Political Economy Society, which produces the Cambridge Journal of Economics, Contributions to Political Economy, and the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. Its stated aims are (1) to advance the education of the public in political economy and related matters, and (2) to promote research in matters pertaining to political economy and to publish the useful results of such research. The Trustees interpret research in political economy to include work of a theoretical, applied, interdisciplinary, history of thought or methodological nature, having a strong emphasis on realistic analysis, the development of critical perspectives, the provision and use of empirical evidence, and the construction of policy.
Awarded biennially this scholarship is intended to provide funding for three years of Ph.D. research. The scholarship competition is open to candidates who have been accepted (or expect to be accepted by 30th September) by the University as Graduate Students beginning a Ph.D. programme within the field of Political Economy (as described above) in any Faculty or Department of the University of Cambridge. This Scholarship is not open to current University Graduate Students, either registered for the Ph.D. degree or on a probationary track towards Ph.D. registration, who have already commenced their three years of Ph.D. research. Nor is the scholarship open to students who are about to commence an MPhil, MRes or similar degree for the purpose of advanced training prior to being registered for the Ph.D. Students on such programmes only become eligible for the scholarship once they have been accepted (or expect to be accepted by 30th September) by the Ph.D. programme concerned.
The Trust may offer the successful candidate either a full scholarship or a fees-only award. The full scholarship covers payment of university and college fees, and a maintenance grant (which for the academic year 2023/24 is £18,622). Applications are open to citizens of European Union Countries and overseas students. The Trust is aware that funding of graduate studies in economics and related disciplines for UK citizens is very limited and particularly encourages well-qualified candidates who are UK citizens to apply. However, decisions on the award of the Scholarship will be on academic merit and on the relevance of the proposed research to the aims of the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to make no award if no suitable candidates present themselves.
An application form for the Research Scholarship may be obtained from the Chairman of the Trustees, by email trust@cpes.org.uk or downloaded HERE. The next deadline for Research Scholarship applications is currently not set but it is likely to be in 2026. Please do not submit applications more than one month prior to the application deadline, as they will not be considered.