Fully Funded Fellowship for Global South Women | Margaret Anstee Research Fellowship

Fully Funded Fellowship for Global South Women: Apply for the Margaret Anstee Research Fellowship at the University of Cambridge

Newnham College is excited to offer an exceptional opportunity for early-career female researchers from the Global South through the Margaret Anstee Research Fellowship. This prestigious program supports outstanding scholars dedicated to economic and social development and/or international relations within the Global South.

About the Fellowship

Duration: Full-time research contract from 1 October 2025 to 31 August 2029.
Salary: £38,249 (based on the salary scale from 1 March 2025).
Application Deadline: 28 March 2025, 23:59 GMT.
The successful fellow will be based at the Margaret Anstee Centre, a leading hub for research and engagement that honors the legacy of Dame Margaret Anstee, the first female Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and a distinguished alumna of Newnham College.

Research Focus

The Margaret Anstee Centre is dedicated to fostering inclusive social and economic change on a global scale. Its research explores international development trends and runs initiatives like the Archives of the Disappeared, which documents communities, social movements, and cultures impacted by violence.

The Centre seeks scholars engaged in translational research—work that bridges academic inquiry with real-world applications. Fellows will benefit from dedicated support through the Knowledge Exchange Co-ordinator, ensuring their research reaches a broader audience and influences practical change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to outstanding female candidates who have completed and been awarded their doctoral degrees.
Aimed at early-career researchers looking to advance their academic careers while making a meaningful impact on global challenges.
Applicants must be citizens of the Global South, the UK, or Ireland, intending to pursue careers in economic and social development and/or international relations.
Candidates with a maximum of five years of postdoctoral research experience are eligible to apply. Career breaks for professional, medical, or family reasons will not be a disadvantage.

Benefits & Support

A generous stipend with an additional £10,000 fund for organizing conferences, workshops, or seminar series.
Access to the University of Cambridge’s vibrant academic network, fostering collaboration across departments and research centers.
A supportive environment at Newnham College, offering the perfect setting for research, discussion, and external engagement.
Fellows can apply for College accommodation, access free meals, and receive additional research support.

Application Information

There is no age restriction; however, the Margaret Anstee Fellowship aims to support promising women at an early stage in their academic careers. It is available to those who have already been awarded a doctoral degree and have no more than five years of postdoctoral research experience. Applicants who have taken career breaks for professional, medical, or family reasons will not face any disadvantage.
As per Dame Margaret Anstee’s will, this Fellowship is exclusively for women who are citizens of the Global South or hold UK or Irish nationality. Candidates must intend to pursue a career in economic and social development and/or international relations, either in academia or other sectors. The Global South is typically defined as countries classified as ODA recipients by the OECD-DAC. Applications from indigenous scholars worldwide are also encouraged. For eligibility queries, contact Dr. Mezna Qato at mac.director@newn.cam.ac.uk.
If a selected candidate requires a visa to work in the UK, their appointment will be subject to successfully obtaining the necessary visa. Costs for the UK visa and NHS Healthcare Surcharge will be reimbursed.
The Margaret Anstee Fellowship has a fixed term of three years and eleven months, commencing on 1 October 2025. It is non-renewable and non-extendable. In exceptional cases, Newnham College may, at its discretion, allow an earlier or later start date, with corresponding adjustments to the end date. A six-month probation period applies.
Fellows are expected to actively contribute to the Margaret Anstee Centre’s activities, including postgraduate mentorship, publications, event and seminar organisation, and public engagement. They will lead a seminar or lecture series for two academic terms (typically three to four seminars per term), with the option to replace one term with a workshop. They will collaborate closely with the Knowledge Exchange Coordinator to enhance the translational impact of their research. This is a full-time role with a starting salary of £38,249 (as of 1 March 2025), increasing annually up to a maximum of SP45. Fellows are eligible for the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
Fellows must reside in Cambridge during Full Term unless conducting approved fieldwork or other research elsewhere.
- Fellows may apply to rent College accommodation at market rates for up to three years, with additional costs for utilities and Council Tax.
- Those living in College accommodation are entitled to free meals (excluding the Iris Café) when the College kitchens are open. Those residing elsewhere receive seven free meals per week.
- Fellows can seek additional research, professional, and conference expense support through the Senior Members’ Research Support Committee.
- IT equipment, typically a Mac or Windows laptop, will be provided by the College.
- Fellows will have access to a desk and shared research facilities at the Margaret Anstee Centre.
Each Fellow will receive £10,000 during their tenure to organise an approved event or series of events (e.g., conferences, seminars) at the College to promote their research.
Fellows are required to engage with the College community through teaching activities such as supervisions, tutoring, postgraduate mentoring, directing studies, and admissions. Compensation for teaching will be provided at standard supervision rates, in addition to the fellowship stipend. Expected teaching commitments are approximately four hours per week during term time.
Fellows will be elected as Class B (Research Fellows under Statute XII) members, granting them full rights and privileges of a Newnham College Fellow, including participation in the College’s Governing Body and governance activities.
If a Fellow is offered a teaching opportunity within the University, they must arrange separate remuneration directly with the University.
Fellows must adhere to College risk assessment policies. Travel to locations where the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel will not be permitted. Research ethics policies must also be followed, and applicants are required to declare any ethical considerations in their proposals.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online by 23:59 GMT on Friday, 28 March 2025.
The application must include:
- A completed online application form.
- A CV.
- A research statement (maximum 1,500 words) addressed to Alison Rose, Principal, Newnham College. This should outline the candidate’s past work, proposed research during the fellowship, and a section (up to 500 words) detailing their experience with translational research and engagement strategies.
- The names and contact details (both postal and email) of two academic referees.
Once the application is submitted, referees will receive an email request. Candidates must inform their referees that references must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Friday, 4 April 2025. Late references will not be considered. References should be specific to the candidate’s suitability for the Fellowship; generic dossier references will not be accepted. Applications missing two references cannot be considered.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply