Hans Rausing Scholarships

Award details

The Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine invites applications for Hans Rausing Scholarships to begin in autumn 2026. The scholarships are available in two schemes, 1+3 award or 3-year award, to Overseas, EU and UK applicants to study the history of science and/or technology at Masters and PhD-level at the Centre.

Applicants should have an outstanding academic track record and outstanding research potential in the history of science and/or technology. Candidates are expected to have, or in some cases to develop, masters-level expertise in the history of science and/or technology.

Please note that research projects in the history of medicine are not eligible. However, clearly some topics in the history of medicine overlap with the history of science and technology. One way to think about it is the degree to which you are formally trained in the history of science and technology, whether the intellectual resources for your project need to come from history of science and technology, and whether your project would be publishable in journals of history of science and technology. Topics in life sciences and technologies allied to medicine are in scope if so addressed. Please consult with your prospective supervisor as to whether your project is within scope.

Award value

• Tuition and fees (Home or Overseas rates)
• Monthly stipend*
• Research allowance

​Please note we are not able to cover visa application expenses, or fund a 4th year of the PhD programme.

* Equivalent to that offered by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council for the duration of the award. Indicative previous year maintenance rates can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/publications/maintenance-and-fee-rates/ (last updated to June 2025)

Eligibility criteria

Applicants should have an outstanding academic track record and outstanding research potential in the history of science and/or technology. Candidates are expected to have, or in some cases to develop, masters-level expertise in the history of science and/or technology.

Please note that research projects in the history of medicine are not eligible. However, clearly some topics in the history of medicine overlap with the history of science and technology. One way to think about it is the degree to which you are formally trained in the history of science and technology, whether the intellectual resources for your project need to come from history of science and technology, and whether your project would be publishable in journals of history of science and technology. Topics in life sciences and technologies allied to medicine are in scope if so addressed. Please consult with your prospective supervisor as to whether your project is within scope.

Application process

The Hans Rausing Scholarship is offered in two schemes: 1+3 year and 3-year awards. Applicants are advised to contact a prospective supervisor to discuss research interests and proposal before submitting their applications. Click here to see staff at KCL working in the history of science and technology and related fields.

1+3 year award

​This scheme funds the student to pursue one of the taught History postgraduate programmes (full-time), with progression to doctoral study (conditional to satisfactory completion of the MA). Applicants for a 1+3 award should apply to one of the MA programmes via the King's College London electronic application system for entry in September 2026. Click here for further guidance on MA History programmes and entry requirements.

​There is no separate form for the Hans Rausing Scholarship. To be considered for the award, applicants must submit with their electronic application a sample of written work and a 1-2 page personal statement of academic interests, reasons for undertaking postgraduate study in history of science and technology, and possible areas of doctoral research. Applicants should also produce a research proposal (1,000-1,500 words) plus bibliography outlining the historical questions being addressed and their significance, relevant historiography, and sources. Please indicate to your prospective supervisor that you wish to be considered for the Rausing scholarship.

Applications for the MA programme are currently being reviewed as they are received. Applications must be sent by the 17th of April, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+1) to be considered.

​3-year award

​This scheme funds 3 years (full-time) of doctoral study. Applicants for the 3-year award should apply for the History Research MPhil/PhD programme via the King's College London application system. Click here for further guidance on entry requirements and how to apply.

​Students must already have a Master’s, or be studying a degree in the History of science, technology, or related discipline, or a Master’s degree in History (or a related humanities or social science field) with either a strong history of science and technology taught component or history of science and technology research experience.

There is no separate form for the Hans Rausing Scholarship. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must submit a sample of written work, a 1-2 page personal statement of academic interests and reasons for undertaking doctoral research, and a research proposal (1,000-1,500 words) plus bibliography outlining the historical questions being addressed and their significance, relevant historiography, and sources. Please indicate to your prospective supervisor that you wish to be considered for the Hans Rausing scholarship.

Applications are invited for 3-year awards applications for entry in October 2026 (or exceptionally in January 2027). Applicants may be called for interview. Please send your applications in by the 17th of April, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+1).

Contact Details

Hans Rausing Scholarship, Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine.

Visit: https://www.kingschostm.com/funding-opportunities