United Kingdom
1 Fulbright/Queen's University Belfast Award in in 'Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts'
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
The Fulbright-Queen’s University Belfast Award in 'Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts' covers a taught master’s degree in the school of Humanities, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at the university.
Queen's University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group – a group of leading UK research-intensive universities – and offers world-class education and research. The ninth oldest university in the UK and considered one of the most beautiful, Queen's provides outstanding sporting and research facilities. With 24,000 students, it is a thriving and friendly campus. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton is the University’s Chancellor.
The award, ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’, is limited to students studying for MA programmes in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics. The School is a vibrant interdisciplinary community with specialist teaching expertise, including in the study of peace and conflict transformation, terrorism and security, ethnomusicology, history public history, ethics, cultural and cognitive anthropology, political theory and philosophy.
Our location in Northern Ireland (itself a post-conflict society) provides a unique environment in which to study MA programmes relating to the award theme of ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’.
Many of the School’s graduate programs showcase Queen’s expertise in the study of conflict, security, and the challenges of dealing with controversial histories. Being itself a post-conflict society, and despite the many lessons that can be learned from its successful peace process, Northern Ireland continues to grapple with the challenges of its difficult past. This makes Queen’s University Belfast an ideal location for students to explore and debate the subjects of conflict, security and contested pasts in a scholarly way. Students will also benefit from the many visiting speakers who come to HAPP to discuss such issues, and similar experts hosted by The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s.
The award in ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’, is open to applications for the following programmes*:
- Global Borders and Security
- Conflict Transformation
- Violence, Terrorism and Security
- Geopolitics
- International Relations
- International Public Policy
- Politics
- Philosophy
- Irish Studies
- Anthropology
- Public History
- History
*The coverage of these MA programmes are not restricted to the themes of the award, but applicants should demonstrate their specific interest in studying conflict, security or contested pasts’.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Master's programs in the UK typically last a year. Unless otherwise stated, funding is provided for only the first year of the degree - although the grant period is 10 months, tuition waivers cover the entire first year and student visas are not impacted by grant length.
Stipend amounts are set and do not change based on length of the degree.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
The Commission is seeking applicants who demonstrate:
- Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic or professional excellence
- Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and a particular institution
- A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country
- Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities
- Flexibility and dynamism necessary to active involvement in the host country
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Step into Fulbright in the United Kingdom—a vibrant exchange opportunity that has weaved strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the buzzing energy of large metropolitan cities to the charm of quaint towns, daily life as a Fulbright Postgraduate to the United Kingdom offers a wide array of experiences. Our awards unfold across the UK's diverse landscapes throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Navigating the country is made easy with efficient public transportation networks, allowing scholars to explore cities, countryside, and coastlines. Throughout the year, grantees engage in cultural events and festivals, immersing themselves in the arts, music, and local traditions. To name a few opportunities, previous Fulbrighters have participated in Highland games, organised writing workshops in picturesque locations, and visited National Trust properties across the UK.
With over 160 universities, the UK is home to innovative and globally significant research and teaching projects spanning all disciplines and sectors. Fulbright awards are offered across all 4 nations and the British Virgin Islands, with a range of all disciplines awards and subject-specific awards.
Candidates interested in applying for an award in the United Kingdom are advised to visit the US-UK Fulbright Commission's website for more information on the awards offered by the Commission and to hear from our alumni community.
Explore firsthand accounts from US Postgraduates like Asael Rodriguez, who engaged with his host community of Canterbury through volunteering opportunities, and Katelyn Barnes and Paul Kyumin Lee, who deepened their work in peacebuilding and conflict resolution while researching in Belfast.
Hear about Fulbright experiences from Cesar Cortorreal, 2022-23 Postgraduate Awardee here:
Applicants may also wish to consult Universities UK, Universities Scotland, Universities Wales, and UK Research and Innovation for more information about higher education in the UK.
Applicants may contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission with any queries by emailing fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk
Eligibility
6 Months
The following applicants are ineligible for consideration:
- Applicants who have extensive previous experience in the UK
- Applicants whose proposals are to complete any part of a medical degree, including internships or residencies, or applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin
- Applicants who have previously spent time at their selected university will be at a competitive disadvantage
- Applicants who have spent six or more months in the host country in the year prior to the grant are ineligible for consideration
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select Fulbright Queen’s University Belfast Award in Conflict, Security, and Contested Pasts from the drop down menu.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and must apply for admission according to the relevant university’s admissions procedures. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission/affiliation at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.
Applicants will complete two applications, the Fulbright application and the university’s application (according to the university’s admissions procedures). Applicants must submit their university applications for the award before December 6, 2025. Applicants who fail to do so may be at a competitive disadvantage. The Fulbright Program does not cover the application fee for the university.
Applicants for the award will also need to write a 750-word response as part of the selection process. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email by Queen’s University Belfast to complete this task by January 21, 2026.
The institution does not typically provide letters of recommendation/ affiliation for master’s degree applicants.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Tuition for the first year of study will be waived internally by the host university.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
The UK Research and Innovation’s minimum amounts for studentship stipends are used as a guide for the monthly stipend amounts. The figures are based on the monthly amount over a 10-month grant period.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
For an idea of what to expect with regards to living costs within the UK, please refer to the British Council’s guidance on the cost of study for international students: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying
Dependents
Grant Amount
- Full tuition waiver
- £19,503 living stipend
- $,1500 travel stipend
- A small travel allowance and accommodation to attend required Fulbright Commission enrichment events
The living stipend is intended as a contribution towards general maintenance costs towards the first year in the UK.