Gladstone's Library: making study breaks accessible
When William Gladstone established his library, he wanted to ensure that anyone who would benefit from a residential period of study at Hawarden should not be prevented from doing so by financial constraint. There are various ways we endeavour to uphold Gladstone’s wishes to keep the library affordable to those who need it most:
- The collection is free to use
- We offer discounts of 40% to students, clergy and members of the Society of Authors
- We offer residential scholarships each year
Scholarships
The application window for our 2024 programme is now closed. The next submission period, for scholarships to be taken in 2025, will open on Monday 3rd June, with a deadline of Wednesday 31st July 2024. The Gladstone's Library team will review all scholarship applications throughout August and September, and will aim to let everyone know by October 2024. All scholarship applications must be submitted via our online form (the link will be in the Submission Guidelines, below, and will go live from Monday 3rd June).
Gladstone’s Library is indebted to the generosity of many benefactors who have endowed our Scholarship programme. We hope these scholarships are primarily to enable those who would find the cost of staying at Gladstone’s Library difficult or prohibitive.
For a list of available scholarships please see below:
The Miranda Kaufmann Black British History Scholarship: For research into the histories of people of African and/or Caribbean origin or descent in the United Kingdom, making connections between the local and global aspects of British History. This is a two-week scholarship, including travel expenses of up to £150. Please note, this scholarship is available exclusively for people who are United Kingdom Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage.
The Eileen Stamper Scholarship: For research and study in to historical or contemporary slavery. Two-week scholarship.
The Jim Cotter Scholarship: For reflection and research (including the use of the Jim Cotter Archive). The scholarships are to be awarded for: broadening the understanding of differing approaches to spirituality; encouraging inclusivity in particular regard to those marginalised by society; and modernising the interpretation of religious materials to improve understanding and relevance. Two-week scholarship.
The Drew Scholarship: In the first instance, for research into aspects of the life, ideas or political / intellectual / spiritual legacy of William Ewart Gladstone. One-week scholarship.
The General Scholarship Fund: One-week scholarship to support research into activities enabling the widening of political engagement, particularly with young people.
The Gladstone Scholarship: For scholars from Bulgaria or Armenia, or of Bulgarian or Armenian heritage. One-week scholarship.
The Richard L. Hills Scholarship: For research into Theology’s relationship to Science / Technology. One-week scholarship.
The Tom Jarman Scholarship: In the first instance, for students and graduates of Bristol University, Wesley College Bristol, Bristol Baptist College and students of the Open University. One-week scholarship.
The Revd Canon Dr Stewart Lawton Memorial Scholarship: Awarded for research into one of the following areas: The Liberal Catholic Tradition in Anglicanism; the Interaction of Science and Religion or and European Philosophical Theology. One-week scholarship.
The Revd Dr Murray McGregor Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to those working on any aspect of Theology. First consideration will be given to applications from graduates, post-graduate students and members of the academic staff of the University of Edinburgh and thereafter from other Scottish universities. Two-week scholarship.
The Bishop J. R. H. Moorman Scholarship: Intended primarily for those researching Francis of Assisi or the Franciscan Order, where access to the Moorman Franciscan Collection would prove beneficial. One-week scholarship.
The Veronica Powles Memorial Scholarship: For either members of the Mothers’ Union or for study and research into women’s ministry and issues. One-week scholarship.
The Dr Daisy Ronco Scholarship: For research into Nineteenth Century Studies with an emphasis on the role of women. One-week scholarship.
The Canon Denys Ruddy Memorial Scholarship: For study in Theology, Liturgy, Spirituality, or Christianity and The Arts. One-week scholarship.
Vera Stantan Scholarship: For research into the ecumenical movement or interfaith dialogue. One-week scholarship.
Canon Symonds Memorial Scholarship: For those studying in the fields of Christian Liturgy, Biblical Studies or Church History. One-week scholarship.
Father John Thorold Scholarship: For study in spirituality or liturgy. One-week scholarship.
Ernest Walder Memorial Scholarship: For research in the Arts and Humanities. One-week scholarship.
Jeffrey David Engel Scholarship: Awarded, in the first instance, to scholars from the Diocese of Liverpool studying pastoral care and counselling. One-week scholarship.
The scholarships have been given by the benefactors to ensure that research into the subjects important to them will be supported by the Library in perpetuity. If a suitable applicants is not found for a specific scholarship, the award will be held over until the following year.
Applications outside of the specified subject areas will not be considered.
Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully:
1. Application
Applications must be made via the dedicated online submission form, found by clicking here.
2. Award
Scholarships are awarded by an internal panel, drawn from Gladstone's Library's academic and professional staff. We are happy to provide feedback on request but cannot accept any appeals.
3. Length of Award
Scholarships are awarded according to each scholarship's stipulations. A two-week award may be split if there is a very strong field.
4. Accommodation
All scholars are allocated a single ensuite room. Only two rooms at the Library are on the ground floor, with the rest on the first and second floors. Applicants should detail room requirements in their application.
5. Collection Use
Although much of our collection is housed on open-access shelving, access to archives and special collections must be booked well in advance. Please see the relevant webpages or email [email protected] with queries.
6. Travel
The majority of our scholarships do not make provision for travel and applicants should ensure they have a reasonably idea of likely expenses before applying.
7. Partners
Partners are welcome to stay, subject to availibility, but will be charged the rate of £30.00 per night for bed and breakfast or £50.00 for two-course dinner, bed and breakfast. For room allocation, applicants must inform us of partners at the time of booking the scholarship award.
8. Charges During Your Stay
As well as the room, scholarships cover the following costs: breakfast (including cooked breakfast), two-course lunch, two-course dinner, with tea and filter coffee. All other refreshments are chargeable to your room, and the bill settled on departure.
9. Accepting an offer
If you receive a scholarship offer from Gladstone’s Library, you will asked to pay a non-returnable £25 administration fee. This will act as confirmation of the scholarship and of the dates you have been offered.
10. Post-scholarship commitments
We will be in touch during and after your visit to discuss how you might like to reflect on your stay with us.
For any enquiries regarding our Scholarship Programme please contact: [email protected]
For further information on how Gladstone's Library can support you please click here.