The 2026 call for applications, with a closing date of  1st  February 2026, is now open.

Any late applications may be able to be considered by contacting [email protected]

For further details on the background to the bursaries and how to apply, please see here.

For an application form please email [email protected]

 

About the bursaries

The two Bursaries have been created and funded by The Secret WW2 Learning Network, (The SWW2LN) a British educational charity, in memory of Dr Stephen Weiss, a WW2 veteran and UK-based academic and writer who died in 2020, aged 94. Steve Weiss was a subscribed Friend and strong supporter of The SWW2LN, a wonderful character who was well-known to many members of the charity. His obituary is given as the appendix to this document.

The purpose of the Bursaries is to enable each award winner to undertake a study, or complete part of a larger study, which would necessarily involve travelling to undertake research. Each Bursary will provide finance to a maximum of £1,000 for travelling, accommodation or other related expenses. Retrospective awards will not be considered.

Eligibility

The Bursaries are open to students of a relevant study course (e.g. History, International Relations, Politics, War Studies) at the University of Chichester or King’s College London and subscribed Friends of The SWW2LN studying at any other university that is approved by The SWW2LN. Two bursaries are available each year, normally no more than one bursary will be granted to each university, though this may be varied according to demand e.g. in the event that one Bursary does not attract a suitable application, it may be allocated as a second Bursary to another university. Awards are open to students registered on full-time traditional or distance learning programmes. Students working and studying part-time who are able to
clearly demonstrate financial need are also eligible.

The Bursaries are intended for:
• undergraduate students (e.g. BA/BSc) who have to undertake a final year project involving original research in a secret/clandestine aspect of the Second World War
• postgraduate taught students (e.g. MA) who have to undertake a dissertation involving original research in a secret/clandestine aspect of the Second World War
• postgraduate research students (e.g. MA by Research, MPhil or PhD) who have to undertake a thesis involving original research in a secret/clandestine aspect of the Second World War.

How to apply
Applications for the Bursaries are accepted only following a call by The SWW2LN and before the deadline specified in the call. You should apply using the form available from [email protected] and to the contacts specified, you should not send requests or applications directly to The SWW2LN.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, please do not apply.

You are strongly advised to consult your academic supervisor before preparing an application. Candidates should inform their supervisor that they intend to submit an application and supervisors will be required to write a short statement of support confirming that applicants are registered students planning to undertake the described research.

Outline proposal
In preparing an application, you should describe the project or discrete piece of research in
the form of an outline proposal of not more than 750 words. Your proposal should provide
the following information:

• the research question(s) to be addressed;
• the research methods to be employed in the research;
• details of how the research methods will be implemented in order to make it clear how the expenditure will be incurred;
• a breakdown of your anticipated budgeted expenditure. This should be expenditure that is directly incurred in the execution of research, for example travel and subsistence costs for travelling to interviews.

The SWW2LN will NOT provide funding for the purchase of general purpose material or equipment, such as laptops, office software or reading material. Neither will The SWW2LN make a contribution to general living costs during the dissertation period. You should indicate the amount requested from the Bursary and also the possible availability of other sources of
funds.

Annual call for applications and programme of dates

• submission deadline: 1st February each year
• award winners of the Bursaries will be informed by 1st March of the same year

A holder of this Bursary should submit expenses up to the amount awarded within three months of incurring the expense. Should an advance be required, this can be considered upon submission of evidence of the costs to be incurred. All claims for
expenses must be supported by receipts/documentation.

If an application for a relevant qualification is being made at short notice and the above annual programme of dates is not feasible, dispensation may be possible upon application to [email protected]

In respect of students from the University of Chichester or King’s College London, applications should be submitted to the following contacts who will then shortlist and submit no more than three applications from each university to the panel of three Trustees of The Secret WW2 Learning Network:

• University of Chichester: Professor Hugo Frey – [email protected]
• King’s College London: Professor Juliette Pattinson – [email protected]

Subscribed Friends of The SWW2LN are asked to submit their application via their academic
supervisor to Paul McCue – [email protected]

Reviewing process
Every shortlisted application will be reviewed by a panel comprising three Trustees of The SWW2LN who will rank applications on the basis of: quality, value for money, and impact. The decision of the panel will be final.

Dissemination
In your application you should also consider the subsequent dissemination of information or understanding gained from the research supported by the Bursary and should discuss possible methods of dissemination. You are strongly encouraged to discuss possible avenues for dissemination with your supervisor. Dissemination plans should aim to reach at least two
relevant organisations/bodies, e.g. academic journals, institutional newsletters, respected blogs etc.

Report to the Trustees
The Bursary winners must acknowledge the award in their research output with the wording:

This research was conducted with the assistance of The Steve Weiss Student Research Bursary, created and funded by SECRET WW2 – The Secret WW2 Learning Network, a UK registered educational charity 

and provide the Trustees with a copy of the research report or dissertation. The Bursary winners must also submit a shorter 1-2 page informative abstract setting out the aim and objectives of the research, the methods used, the key findings, conclusions and recommendations. The SWW2LN may publish the abstract on its website, Facebook page or in its newsletter.

Conditions
The decisions of the Trustees of The SWW2LN are final and they reserve the right not to make an award of a Bursary if they judge there to be no suitable candidates.

The Trustees of The SWW2LN will correspond only with winners of the Bursary and will not enter into any correspondence or other contact with applicants for the Bursary unless there is a need for clarification.

The Trustees will use information provided in applications to publicly announce the award of the Bursary, along with winners’ names and project titles: on The SWW2LN website; its Facebook page; and in the charity’s newsletter. Final reports of funded projects may also be added to The SWW2LN’s website.

Completed forms should be sent to the relevant university contact named above

Further Information
For further information about the Bursary please get in touch with the relevant contact, as detailed above.