Bursaries

The London Critical Theory Summer School offers a series of bursaries for attendance annually, to cover costs of students within Birkbeck and also for international non-Birkbeck students, often based in the Global South.

In addition, applicants based at educational institutions within the Open Society University Network (OSUN) and beyond, who are early career researchers, junior faculty, postgraduate students or in the final year of their undergraduate degree, are eligible to apply for one of the bursaries generously provided by Open Society Foundations which cover the cost of fees and accommodation during the period of the Summer School in central London, and make a fixed rate contribution to travel and visa costs. We especially welcome applications from institutions in the Global South.

OUR FUNDERS

"The Birkbeck Institute for Humanities has a special place by virtue of its decades-long commitment to educating those from myriad, diverse backgrounds while encouraging heterodox thinking and dissident thought. At Open Society Foundations Ideas Workshop, we see our goals to invest in restless critical thought and deepening understanding in perfect concert with Birkbeck's goals and ethos. We are thrilled to be partnering in this endeavour."

Leonard Benardo, Senior Vice President of the Open Society Foundations (OSF)

BACKGROUND

When in 2020 philanthropist and founder of the Open Society Foundations, George Soros, announced the launch of a new university network to better prepare students for current and future global challenges, Birkbeck was invited to be a project partner. The Open Society University Network (OSUN) is now a growing global network that integrates learning and the advancement of knowledge across geographic and demographic boundaries, promotes civic engagement on behalf of open societies, and expands access of underserved communities to higher education.

"The Open Society University Network is thrilled to be partnering with Birkbeck College's Critical Theory Summer School in 2021 to provide access to the summer school to participants from across the OSUN, particularly those from underserved communities. We are convinced that it will be an enriching experience for all participants and have a tremendous impact on OSUN institutions."

Jonathan Becker, Vice Chancellor of the Open Society University Network (OSUN)

How to apply

For a bursary to attend the full Summer School, please fill in the online application form by 10 January 2025.

For a bursary to attend our smaller virtual stream, please fill in the virtual stream online application form by 10 January 2025.