The UCL Mary Douglas Research Scholarships offer fully funded doctoral places within one of the world’s top-ranked anthropology departments. Named in honor of the distinguished British anthropologist Mary Douglas and backed by the Sigrid Rausing Trust, the scholarships are among the most competitive doctoral awards available to aspiring anthropologists globally.
About the Mary Douglas Research Scholarship Program
Administered by UCL Anthropology within the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, the program supports exceptional researchers whose work demonstrates originality, academic rigor, and genuine potential to advance the field. The department encompasses Social Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Material and Visual Culture, Digital Culture, and Biological Anthropology, giving applicants significant breadth in defining their research direction. Successful candidates join a cosmopolitan doctoral community and a department consistently ranked among the top five anthropology departments worldwide. The scholarship commences in September 2026.
Funding Size
- Full tuition fees covered
- Annual living stipend
- Additional support for equipment, fieldwork, and travel costs
- Duration: 3 years, with the possibility of a fourth year of support for dissertation completion
Who Can Apply
- Applicants with a demonstrably strong background in anthropology, ideally with first-class or distinction-level undergraduate and master’s degrees
- Candidates whose proposed research aligns with the active research strengths of UCL Anthropology
- Open globally; international applicants are eligible, though fee funding for non-UK applicants is capped at the UK fee level
- Applicants must be available to begin doctoral study in September 2026
Geographic Eligibility
- Open globally
- Study takes place at University College London, United Kingdom
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Social and cultural anthropology
- Medical anthropology
- Material, visual, and digital culture
- Biological anthropology
- Any research area falling within the department’s established strengths
Application Process
Applicants submit a complete PhD application package directly to UCL Anthropology, clearly indicating “Mary Douglas Scholarship” in their correspondence. The package must include all required materials in a single submission before the deadline.
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Required Materials
- Full UCL PhD admissions application
- Research proposal of no more than one page demonstrating originality, significance, and feasibility
- Writing sample from a master’s or undergraduate dissertation or equivalent
- Academic CV
- Two academic references
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 16 June 2026
- Scholarship start date: September 2026
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Selection Notes
- Competition is highly selective; academic excellence and a well-developed, feasible research proposal carry the most weight
- Applicants are encouraged to identify a potential supervisor within the department before applying and ensure their proposal aligns with that supervisor’s research area
- All enquiries and applications should be directed to UCL Anthropology directly