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.
Applications for Supplementary or Emergency Funding are welcomed from students currently undertaking a full time PhD within the field of Political Economy (as described above) in any Faculty or Department of the University of Cambridge.
Supplementary Funding
Supplementary funding awards are made by the Trustees in (1) cases where an award will enable a research student registered for the full time PhD degree to complete a PhD dissertation or (2) cases where an award may help the procurement of funds from elsewhere. Although all eligible students may apply, priority is normally given to those nearing the end of their studies.
The Trust does not aim to make a particular number of supplementary funding awards each year. Nor does it set a specific upper limit on the size of awards, although in practice most are relatively modest (in the region of a few thousand pounds). Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and applicants are asked to give a full budget breakdown to show how they have arrived at the figure being requested. Please note that the Trustees wish to use their funds to support as many students as possible and therefore expect applicants also to apply for any other sources of funding (e.g. Colleges, University, outside bodies) for which they are eligible.
The current deadlines for applications for supplementary funding are 10 January and 1 July. Applications should not be submitted earlier than one month before the deadline.
Emergency Funding
The Trustees may make up to ten grants annually, to a maximum of £1,000 each. These grants are only for eligible research students who can show that they are in immediate and unanticipated financial need. There is no deadline. Applicants should demonstrate that they have exhausted all other funding possibilities and have no other means of meeting the expenses for which they are applying.
Application forms for both funding schemes can be downloaded from this page. Enquiries should be addressed to trust@cpes.org.uk