UCA-Cambridge Trust Scholarship Programme for Young Scholars 2025-2026

The University of Central Asia (UCA) in partnership with the Cambridge Trust is pleased to announce prestigious scholarship opportunities for master’s and doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The initiative is a part of UCA’s ongoing Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP) designed to promote scholarship among the Central Asian postgraduate community and equip regional talent for careers in academia and particularly at UCA.

Programme Overview

The UCA-Cambridge Scholarship is available to outstanding candidates from UCA’s founding states of  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan[1]. It supports applicants in a wide range of subjects relevant to UCA's strategic goals.

UCA is Central Asia’s sole regional university with fully residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan and Khorog, Tajikistan with further plans for a campus in Tekeli, Kazakhstan. UCA’s Graduate School of Development, based predominantly in Bishkek, with smaller offices in Dushanbe and Khorog, leads the University’s research and development initiatives, and will introduce UCA’s first postgraduate programmes in 2025-26. The partnership between UCA and the Cambridge Trust builds on the quality and standing of both UCA and the University of Cambridge, to enhance the academic quality of UCA’s and Central Asia’s future faculty and research community.

To date, the scholarship has supported one postdoctoral, eight PhD, and four master’s researchers, each making significant contributions to their respective fields and advancing the mission of fostering academic excellence and innovation within the Central Asian region. Scholarship holders are expected to also gain teaching experience and pedagogical training during their doctoral studies, where appropriate.

Key Deadlines:

• Information session (Online): 6 November 2024 at 4 pm (GMT+6) Join Zoom Meeting
• UCA application deadline: 24 November 2024 (midnight, GMT+6)
• University of Cambridge application deadline: 3 December 2024 / 7 January 2025 (depending on the programme)

Fields of Study

The scholarship is available for graduate and postgraduate studies in subjects that align with UCA’s research and education interests and expertise at the School of Arts & Sciences and the Graduate School of Development.

Eligible fields include Earth, Climate and Environmental Sciences, Computer and Data Sciences, Media and Communications, Development Economics, Climate Economics and Public Policy, Cultural Heritage and Society. Other fields may be considered based on UCA’s needs. Where appropriate, preference will be given to research topics engaging with theoretical or applied work especially pertinent to the Central Asian region.

It is expected that the research undertaken will also have direct relevance to Central Asia and that fieldwork would therefore normally be expected to be undertaken in Central Asia during the second or third year of the doctoral programme.

Note: MBA and MFin degrees are not covered by this scholarship.

Scholarship Value

The UCA-Cambridge scholarship will cover:

• University tuition fee (paid directly to Cambridge).
• Annual stipend (sufficient for the student).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Additional support from UCA:

• Annual Research Allowance (PhD only)
• Visa costs
• Travel expenses to and from the UK at the start and conclusion of the studies.
  
  Note: Please note the scholarship does not provide any support or funding for any dependents or family members.

Conditions

Scholarship recipients will be required to work at UCA, in an agreed teaching and/or research role, for a period corresponding to the length of study at the University of Cambridge.

Scholarship recipients will be assigned to a UCA mentor throughout their studies at Cambridge, in addition and supplement to their Cambridge mentor/supervisor. This will support their re-integration to UCA following the completion of their studies.

UCA’s Eligibility Criteria

All applicants will first be required to meet the eligibility criteria that includes:

• citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan[2];
• higher education degree with excellent academic records from a recognised university;
• interest in master’s or PhD programme in departments reflecting UCA fields of interest, outlined above;
• interest in a career within academia, including research and teaching;
• demonstrated competency in chosen discipline;
• demonstrated commitment to undertaking employment with UCA in teaching and/or research following the completion of the CAFDP programme;
• excellent English language skills: IELTS score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component) or TOEFL score of 110 (with 25 in each element); 
• GRE General Test scores for Economics programmes (not required if the applicant has a degree from a UK institution). GMAT tests are not accepted. 

Application Process

To submit your expression of interest please send the following documents in English to cafdp@ucentralasia.org no later than Sunday, 24 November  (midnight, GMT+6): 

• CAFDP Application form;
• curriculum vitae/resume (3 pages maximum);
• all items relevant to the eligibility criteria listed above including a personal statement outlining your short and long-term career goals, field of study and research interests, reason for applying to the CAFDP, and what makes you a good candidate for CAFDP at Cambridge (3 pages maximum);
• a short research proposal (3 pages maximum) if the course chosen is entirely or predominantly research-based or equal taught/research based;
• a copy of your passport;
• academic transcripts and diplomas.

Applications will be reviewed by UCA selection committee and shortlisted applications will be invited to submit a full online application to the University of Cambridge, by 3 December 2024/ 7 January 2025 depending on the chosen programme (please refer to the Postgraduate Course Directory).

All candidates are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the online admission application form in parallel to submitting their application to UCA.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact: cafdp@ucentralasia.org. Early enquiries are welcome. 

The University of Central Asia reserves the right not to consider applications which are not complete by the due date.

[1] Applicants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will also be considered however priority will be given to applicants from the founding states.

[2] Applicants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will also be considered however priority will be given to applicants from the founding states.