In a powerful step toward reshaping the future of physics, the Institute of Physics (IOP) has once again opened applications for the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund 2026, an extraordinary initiative inspired by one of the most distinguished scientists of our time, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.
Breaking Barriers in Physics
This scholarship fund isn’t just another academic award—it’s a social movement in itself. Established through Professor Bell Burnell’s generous donation of her £2.3 million Breakthrough Prize, the fund directly supports students from underrepresented backgrounds to undertake PhDs in physics across the UK. The goal is simple yet revolutionary: to make physics more inclusive and reflective of the world it aims to understand.
The fund offers financial support for both full-time and part-time doctoral students who aspire to study physics at UK institutions. It seeks to reduce barriers for talented individuals who, due to socio-economic, ethnic, gender, or cultural factors, might otherwise find a PhD out of reach.
Why This Fund Matters?
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who famously discovered pulsars during her time at Cambridge, has long championed fairness and diversity in science. Speaking about the fund, she emphasized that brilliance exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Her vision through this initiative is to change that imbalance by removing systemic barriers and providing real financial pathways for those historically excluded from physics research.
Funding, Support, and Administration
The Institute of Physics manages and administers the fund, ensuring a rigorous yet supportive selection process. Successful scholars receive financial assistance to cover living costs, tuition fees, and research-related expenses. Beyond financial aid, recipients gain access to the IOP’s professional network, mentoring, and opportunities to showcase their work at events and conferences.
The program’s impact has already been remarkable, with past fellows contributing to frontier research in areas like astrophysics, materials science, and medical physics.
Application Details and Timeline
Applications for the 2025-26 Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund are now open. Eligible candidates must be planning to begin or continue a PhD in physics at a recognized UK university and identify as belonging to a group currently underrepresented in the field.
Application Timeline (2025-26):
- 8 December 2025 (12 pm–1 pm): Public Q&A webinar session
- 19 January 2026 (5 pm): Application deadline
- 20 January – 9 February 2026: Eligibility review
- 11 February – 1 March 2026: Panel assessment
- March 2026: Interviews and final selection
- April 2026: Notification of results.
Voices of Inspiration
Past scholars such as Stephanie Merritt (Queen’s University Belfast), Ozioma Kamalu (University of Edinburgh), and Selina Dhinsey (University of Liverpool) have spoken about how the scholarship transformed their academic journey—both financially and personally. They credit the fund with giving them confidence, visibility, and a sense of belonging in a discipline that has often been seen as inaccessible.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before 5 pm on Monday 19 January 2026 via the IOP’s official portal. For those not applying but inspired by the cause, the IOP also welcomes contributions to expand the fund, ensuring more deserving candidates can benefit in the coming years.