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The Warwick PATHWAY Programme

Warwick PATHWAY Programme event

About

The under-representation of black academics is a pressing issue in UK higher education. To help tackle this, our National Centre for Research Culture (NCRC) is launching the Warwick PATHWAY Programme.  

The programme will address issues along the entire career pathway, from undergraduates to postdocs, to early career researchers and professors.  

In addition, the Warwick PATHWAY programme will create a community of aspiring black researchers.

We will create "a career pipeline that does not leak”, and develop a thriving community of black researchers across all faculties, presenting a clear vision of career pathways for black academics in higher education.

Read about our PATHWAY launch event which took place on 22 November.

What does the Warwick PATHWAY Programme involve?

The Warwick PATHWAY scheme consists of various initiatives targeting different career stages. It also provides opportunities for networking and community building to generate synergy across these different initiatives.  

The various schemes are outlined below.

 

Undergraduates: URSS (Undergraduate Research Support Scheme) 

Who is it for? Warwick undergraduate students.

About: We will add new ring-fenced URSS funds (25 awards) for black students. This is a scheme provides Warwick undergraduate students funds to carry out research in the summer, under supervision of academic staff at Warwick. 

For further information, please email .

Applications for the summer 2024 URSS are now closed

The Undergraduate Research Support Scheme enables Warwick undergraduate students to carry out a non-assessed, self-directed 6-10 week research project, with supervision from a Warwick academic.

You can apply for a bursary of up to £1500 to contribute to your living expenses and other associated costs whilst carrying out your project.

Read the stories of past URSS applicants here

A total of 25 URSS places have been ringfenced for the PATHWAY programme, with successful candidates benefiting from additional mentoring.
Prospective applicants should undergo the usual URSS application route.

Please email researchculture@warwick.ac.uk with any queries, or if you are supervisor interested in hosting a PATHWAY URSS student.

Eligibility:
To gain a place on the PATHWAY programme, applicants should be

  • Black - African
  • Black - Caribbean
  • Black - Other
  • Mixed - White/Black Caribbean
  • Mixed - White/Black African
  • Other - Any Other Black Backgrounds

    PhD Studentships  

    N.B. Applications for 2024 entry are now closed

    Who is it for? Prospective students who would like to pursue a PhD at Warwick.

    About: We will create ring-fenced scholarships (up to three PhD studentships will be available) for black students. The scheme will cover both UK and international tuition fees. Students can be hosted in any department, and can pursue any topic.  

    For further information, please email .

     

    Early Career Fellowships at Institute for Advanced Study at Warwick, for recent PhDs 

    A call for applications for 2024-25 Fellowships will open in May/June.

    Who is it for? Doctoral candidates at Warwick in their final year.

    About: We will create two ring-fenced Fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at Warwick. The Fellows will be able to take IAS’s highly effective career enhancement training in order to take a next step in the research career. 

    For further information, please email .

     

    The Warwick PATHWAY career development grant for Research Fellows  

    Who is it for: Postdocs currently employed at Warwick

    About: This will be a newly established funding scheme for career development activities (e.g., training courses, travel for networking, developing an application for independent research fellowships) for postdocs employed at Warwick who are not supported by the PATHWAY programme. 

    For further information, please email .

    Networking and Community Building Activities  

    The National Centre for Research Culture will hold networking opportunities for researchers participating in the above schemes, through workshops, conferences and networking events.

    We'll also facilitate conference attendance and external networking for those who are on the PATHWAY programme, set up mentoring schemes and hold information events for undergraduates and PGTs.

    More information coming soon.

    > National Centre for Research Culture > Resources for Researchers > Work With Us > Our Research