The Warwick PATHWAY Programme
About
The under-representation of Black academics, particularly at senior levels, is a pressing issue both in UK higher education and at Warwick. The Warwick PATHWAY Programme is a positive action which supports aspiring Black researchers to explore and lay the foundations for a career in research.
The programme provides funding at the early stages of developing a research career - from undergraduate to postdoctoral researcher - alongside opportunities to participate in networking and career information events.
The Warwick PATHWAY programme creates a community of aspiring Black researchers at Warwick across all faculties.
What does the Warwick PATHWAY Programme involve?
The various schemes within the Programme are outlined below.
Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS)
N.B. Applications for summer 2026 awards are now open, with a deadline of Friday 6 February, 2026.
Who is it for? Current Warwick undergraduate students who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage.
About: We have ring-fenced 25 URSS bursaries of up to £1500 for Black students to carry out a non-assessed, self-directed 6-10 week research project in the summer, under the supervision of academic staff at Warwick.
PhD Studentships
Applications for 26/27 entry have closed.
Who is it for? Prospective students who would like to pursue a PhD at Warwick and who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage.
About: Up to three ring-fenced PhD scholarships per year are available. Students can be hosted in any department, and can pursue any topic.
Early Career Fellowships
*APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN* for a PATHWAY ECR Fellowship from October 2026. See link above for details.
Who is it for? Doctoral candidates at Warwick in their final year who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage
About: Two ring-fenced Fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) are available per academic year. Early Career Fellows receive a bursary, training to develop their academic leadership skills and support to produce career enhancing outputs from their thesis.
Postdoctoral Awards
*APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN* for PATHWAY Postdoc Awards for the period Jan-July 2026.
Who is it for: Postdoctoral researchers currently employed at Warwick who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage
About: This scheme provides bursaries for career development activities (e.g., training courses, travel for networking, developing an application for independent research fellowships) for postdocs employed at Warwick and who are not already supported by a PATHWAY Early Career Fellowship.
For further information about any of the above schemes, please email .
Networking and Community Building Activities
The Warwick PATHWAY programme includes talks, networking and research career information opportunities for students and researchers participating in the above schemes. These events will also be open to the wider community at Warwick and any student or staff who are interested in Black researcher development are welcome to attend.
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