About the prize
The Ri Freer Prize Fellowships are intended as writing-up awards for doctoral candidates researching the history of science; history of the Royal Institution; or heritage conservation science. Ri Freer Prize Fellowships are awarded based on candidates’ ability to identify and communicate the significance and potential of their research in a compelling way that can engage a general interest audience. For further details see the Criteria for Assessment.
About the Ri and Philip Freer
Founded in 1799, the Ri is a world-famous independent charity dedicated to enhancing public understanding of science and the role of science in society. Among its many luminaries, the analytical chemist and pioneer of modern experimental physics, Michael Faraday, is the most famous. Philip Freer was a collateral descendant of Faraday and a great philanthropist who established the Philip Freer Trust to support postgraduate students to “make a difference in the world”.
Application information
Type of award: Prize Fellowship for doctoral candidates in their unfunded writing-up year.
Areas of research supported: history of science and technology; heritage conservation science; and history of the Royal Institution.
Stipend: £18,000 (the Fellowship will pay maintenance but not fees).
Duration of Fellowship: 12 months.
Eligibility: At the point of taking up the award, applicants must be registered for graduate study at their home institution (and so have access to institutional resources).
Deadline for applications: 18/03/2024
How to apply
To apply, please send the following documents via this application form.
Personal details
CV (no more than 2 sides)
General interest pitch of the applicant’s doctoral research (750 words)
Introduction to yourself and your research (short film of no more than 3 minutes and should be submitted in the form of a video link via YouTube and should not be public)
Thesis summary (no more than 500 words) which must include the title of your thesis and your expected completion date.
Names and contact details for 2 referees including PhD supervisor (referees will only be contacted at short-list stage).
Help with your application
All written application materials should be in PDF format and all files must be clearly labeled to include your name and title of the document.
If you are unsure of how to submit a video link please follow the following guide on how to do so:
How to upload onto YouTube from Google
How to upload on to YouTube using your phone
How to upload your video from Wix
For further details such as criteria for assessment, more information regarding the fellowship and application terms and conditions please see the links below.
Any queries should be directed to Freer Fellowship Administrator Hannah Pratt hpratt@ri.ac.uk