Smuts Memorial Fund
The Smuts Memorial Fund was established after the death of Jan Christiaan Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, for the advancement of Commonwealth Studies in the University.
The Fund is managed by a Board of Managers, which meets termly.
- On this page
- Cambridge Scholarships
- Commonwealth Lecture Series
- Librarian
- Library Grants
- Professor of Commonwealth History
- Project Grants
- Research Associates
- Study Grants, Audio-Visual Equipment and Photocopying Assistance
- Visiting Fellowship in African Studies
- Visiting Research Fellowship at Wolfson College
Cambridge Scholarships
The Smuts Fund and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust/Cambridge Overseas Trust annually fund up to two international students on PhD courses.
A successful applicant:
- may be a citizen of any country outside the EU
- must be liable for fees at the overseas rate (see Your Fee Status)
- must apply to study a PhD at the University of Cambridge and be offered admission (see Prospective Graduate Students)
- must complete Section B of the application form to indicate that s/he wishes to be considered for scholarship funding, and must submit the completed application by the published deadline (normally at the start of December in the year before the start of the PhD)
- must propose a PhD research topic that is specifically related to a Commonwealth country or countries (excluding the UK), normally in the fields of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Each scholarship will be awarded for three years, and will pay the University Composition Fee, the approved College Fee, and an annual stipend sufficient for a single person. The scholarships are tenable at any College within the University of Cambridge.
For further information please contact either the Fund Administrator [email: internationalstudents@admin.cam.ac.uk] or the Cambridge Trusts (email: info@overseastrusts.cam.ac.uk).
- Further information
Commonwealth Lecture Series
The Managers fund a biennial series of four lectures offered by a distinguished practitioner, which address topics of interest in Commonwealth Studies. The lectures are organised in conjunction with a department or faculty in such a way as to be integrated into that institution's own teaching plans.
The next round of Commonwealth Lectures will be in 2012/13. An application form and a copy of the memo sent to departments inviting bids, are available below.
Librarian
The Smuts Managers contribute towards the funding of the Royal Commonwealth Society/Centre of South Asian Studies Librarian. Rachel M. Rowe is the current Smuts librarian.
- Further information
Library Grants
In June of each year the Smuts Managers invite selected Cambridge libraries to apply for funding of up to £1000 for purchases in the field of Commonwealth Studies.
See 'Library Grants' for more information.
Professor of Commonwealth History
The Chair has been held by a list of distinguished academics. Current Smuts Professor, Professor Megan Vaughan, was appointed in 2003. Professor Vaughan is also a Manager of the Smuts Fund and Director of the Centre of African Studies until 30 September 2011.
Project Grants
Departments/staff/students can apply for Project Grants to help fund Projects that are being conducted in the field of Commonwealth Studies within the Department. Applications can be for one Project or for a series of Projects to be held over several months/years.
The Managers consider applications for Project Grants termly, at their meetings in November, February and June. See 'Project Grants' for more information.
Research Associates
The Smuts Managers contribute towards the funding of Research Associates in the Centre of African Studies and the Centre for South Asian Studies. These are three year research posts which are advertised by the Centres when the posts are available.
The current Smuts Research Associate at the Centre of African Studies, appointed in October 2010, is Dr Matteo Rizzo.
The current Smuts Research Associate at the Centre for South Asian Studies, appointed in October 2009, is Ms Philippa Williams.
- Further information
Study Grants, Audio-Visual Equipment and Photocopying Assistance
The Managers of the Smuts Memorial Fund make a number of awards to Cambridge graduate students and to senior members of the University to assist them in Commonwealth related work. These usually take the form of assistance towards the costs of travel, fieldwork or audio-visual fieldwork equipment.
See 'Study Grants, Audio-Visual Equipment and Photocopying Assistance' for more information.
Visiting Fellowship in African Studies
For information about the Smuts Visiting Fellowship in African Studies, please see the Centre of African Studies website.
- Further information
Visiting Research Fellowship at Wolfson College
The Smuts Memorial Fund also elects one or two Smuts Visiting Research Fellows a year, in association with a Visiting Research Fellowship at Wolfson College, to come to Cambridge to study for 9 months.
See 'Visiting Research Fellowship at Wolfson College' for more information.