pamplemousse, my intention was not in any way meant to patronise, just as I would like to think that your intention was not to imply that I am boasting about my academic achievements on an internet forum. 

Nearly all my friends who are doing/planning to do a phd are scientists, which is why I assumed most people on this forum would be in a similar situation to me. As I understand it funding is much more difficult to find for non scientists, so I can see why my asking for enhanced funding may seem pretty insensitive, and that suggesting it is attainable if you really want it may be seen as patronising.  I apologise if anyone took it this way, but as I was talking about Chemistry friend I would be quite surprised if they did (I study biology). I only mentioned the fact I had been awarded a studentship to point out that this money is aviable, and that you dont need to need to be a genius with super high grades to get it.

In any case, my question still stands, so if anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Thanks alot for the replies.  I am surprised that no-one seems to be aware of these enhanced stipends; I suppose this shows that they are not at all well advertised. The Welcome Trust are the only organisation I am aware of which actively advertise them.  More definitely do exist, though, as I have friends who have applied to several. One such friend has been told about 4 or 5 by her supervisor and is in the process of applying for them.  Admittedly she is very smart and the top in her year for Chemistry. I have been encouraged to apply for an specific enhanced stipend phd by one of my lecturers, having shown interest and aptitude for the lecture course she was teaching.  In fact, it was this which first made me aware there were such phds available.

It would seem that talking to academics is the best way to find out about these enhanced stipends. This is fine, but as I am yet to decide on an area to specialise in it would be useful if there were a resource which provided info on all the different ones available, as being offered one might sway my decision.

Im sure there is alot of extra funding out there if you know where to look, and not just for phds.  This friend I mentioned has had a steady income of more than £1000 for each year she has been an undergraduate from various prizes she has received from her uni, foundations, pharmaceutical sponsorship etc. I was lucky enough to get a several thousand pounds from a foundation during my second year, and I am by no means top in my year.  I hope I have not come across big headed in any way by posting this; I was simply hoping someone might know a way of tapping into this enhanced funding which I know is out there somewhere. (btw I was badgered by my lecturer to apply for the studentship I was awarded as I thought I didnt have a chance of getting it - they were looking for "exceptional students" - so I recon these extended stipends are definitely worth thinking about if you have decent grades and are prepared to work hard on a project proposal (and if you can find them!))

Hello?

Hi,

I'm aware that there are various trusts and funding bodies which offer phd studentships with enhanced stipends for graduates with top grades. Does anyone know of a website which provides information on trusts such as these, as it seems pretty difficult to find out about many of them? I havn't graduated yet, so I dont even know if I'm going to get a good enough grade to apply for them, but I dont want to start my phd, only to find out later on that I could have applied for one! It would be particularly useful if there were some website with info about enhanced funding for phds abroad (i.e. not in the UK in my case), as, would I be right in thinking, its more difficult to get funding for phds abroad?

Thanks to anyone who can help

Hi Smilodon, thanks alot for the advice; I really appreciate it. Its great to hear someone else experiences. I think the best thing for me to do is keep searching around to see what is available. Hopefully I will come across a phd that offers what im looking for.

Verypoor, I'm pretty sure a PhD is for me. I do enjoy lab work, and realise its a necessity, but was looking for options which involve some time spent out of the lab too. Thanks a lot for the link Sim, I'll have a look at soon

Thanks for the replies.

It seems I may not have explained my feeling about this very well... I do realise that a PhD is obviously very difficult and that there is no point doing one unless you are really interested in science. I never said I wasn't, just that I don't find ecology, in particular, very interesting. I really do enjoy biology; I spent my second year summer break working full time in a lab and am currently doing a year in industry placement which has also been brilliant. My point was that I have found something I find very interesting, i.e. genetics, and was wondering if anyone new of any ways to incorporate travelling in to such a career, something which seem to be much more common with ecology based work. I am also aware that I am probably clutching at straws here, but thought it was worthwhile asking anyway.

Hi,

Im in my second to last year of uni, studying biology and am having trouble deciding what sort of Phd I want. Basically the area I am most interested in is genetics, but I dont really want a career where I spend all the time in a lab. I'm not particularly interested in ecology, but really like the idea of travelling and doing work outside, in interesting places. For example, I've looking at marine biology phds and the field work seems amazing, while I find the actually science rather boring.

So my question is this: does anyone know of any acedemic career directions in biology which are genetics based, with little ecology, yet involve spending time performing research in a non lab environement?

Thanks for any help :)