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. To help tackle this, we have established the Warwick PATHWAY Programme - a positive action programme which supports aspiring Black researchers to progress their careers.
The programme provides funding at different research career stages - from undergraduate to postdoctoral researcher - alongside opportunities to participate in networking and career information events.
The Warwick PATHWAY programme presents a clear vision of a research career trajectory and 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 2025 awards have now closed and will re-open in late 2025 for summer 2026 projects
Who is it for? Current Warwick undergraduate students who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage
About: We have ring-fenced 40 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
N.B. Nominations for 25/26 entry will open on 9th March 2025.
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
N.B. Applications for Fellowships starting in October 2025 and May 2026 will open in Spring 2025.
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
N.B. Applications for 24/25 awards have now closed.
Who is it for: Postdoctoral researchers currently employed at Warwick who self-identify as Black or of Black heritage
About: This is 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 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.
Term 2 events
Talk with Azzedine Dabo from GSK - Wednesday 12th March
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