Bfwg Charitable Foundation (funds For Women Graduates)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £237,000 (in grants)
• Total Income (2024): £278,662
• Grant Range: £2,500 (Emergency) - £6,500 (Foundation)
• Geographic Focus: Great Britain (UK and overseas students studying in GB)
• Decision Time: 4-5 months for Foundation Grants; 3-4 months for Emergency Grants

Contact Details

Website: www.ffwg.org.uk

Grants Administration Officer: Noelle Darwent

• Phone: 07597 391729
• Email: grants@ffwg.org.uk

Company Secretary: Kate Oprava

• Phone: 07886 261584
• Email: admin@ffwg.org.uk

Note: The provided contact information (secretary@ffwg.org.uk, 1132747988) may be associated with the parent organization BFWG rather than the charitable foundation FfWG. Use grants@ffwg.org.uk for grant-related inquiries.

Overview

The BFWG Charitable Foundation, operating under the trading name Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG), was established in 1992 following the sale of Crosby Hall by its parent organization, the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG). Registered as charity number 312903, the foundation awarded its first grant in 1993 and has since distributed over £4.5 million to several thousand women students.

The charity's mission is to advance education and promote higher learning for women graduates. With an annual grant distribution of approximately £237,000, FfWG provides crucial financial support to women postgraduate students, typically in their final year of PhD or DPhil study. The foundation is governed by eight trustees who serve without remuneration, supported by nine volunteers, and operates with a clear focus on meeting the financial needs of academically excellent women scholars studying in Great Britain. Nearly all grant recipients successfully complete their postgraduate degrees and pursue careers in academia and other professional fields.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Foundation Grant: £1,000 - £6,500

• Assists with living expenses (not fees) for women in the final year of PhD/DPhil
• Applications open: Late January (31 January 2025)
• Applications close: Late March (27 March 2025)
• Results announced: July (for the following academic year)
• Not all grants awarded at maximum amount; based on need and academic calibre

Emergency Grant: Up to £2,500

• One-off payment for unforeseen financial crises during postgraduate study
• Awarded twice yearly: April and December
• Applications accepted three times yearly: March, June, and November closing dates
• Must have completed at least six months of course before applying
• Not intended as a “top-up” award

Theodora Bosanquet Bursary: Accommodation only (no cash value)

• Provides basic student-style accommodation in London hall of residence
• Duration: Up to 4 weeks between mid-June and mid-September
• For women researching History or English Literature requiring summer London residence
• Deadline: 31 October (of preceding year)
• Two bursaries awarded annually
• Apply by emailing grants@ffwg.org.uk for application form

Priority Areas

• Women postgraduate students in their final year of PhD/DPhil (any subject)
• Graduate women facing unforeseen financial crises during postgraduate study
• Women researching History or English Literature requiring London-based research
• Part-time PhD students (eligible from third year onwards for Foundation Grants)
• Students of any age or nationality studying in Great Britain

What They Don't Fund

• Tuition fees (Foundation Grants cover living expenses only)
• Overseas fieldwork expenses
• Time waiting for viva examinations
• Second first degrees
• Students who have already received a Foundation Grant (cannot reapply for Foundation Grant)
• Applications from students who haven't completed at least six months of their course (for Emergency Grants)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees and Governors

Professor Jane Hart - Chair

• Physical Geography professor at University of Southampton

Dr. Carolyn Carr - Grant Committee Chair

• Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Oxford University

Kay Howell - Current BFWG President

• Retired Head of Modern Languages

Aisha Alshawaf

• Dentist and Oral Surgery Specialist, BFWG representative

Judith Aston

• Associate Professor of Film and Digital Arts, University of the West of England

Caroline Graham

• Solicitor specializing in company law and corporate transactions

Shirley-Anne Sherriff

• Global manmade fibres business consultant

Felicity Selcoe

• Investment advisory professional with CFA charter

Governors serve three-year terms with the option of re-election. The diverse board comprises women from academia, law, dentistry, and investment sectors, all passionate about women's education and ensuring the charity operates to the highest standards.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Foundation Grant:

• Applications submitted online through ffwg.org.uk
• Application form cannot be saved; must be completed in one session
• Must read information sheet before starting application
• Requires two referees (at least one academic, second can be academic or professional)

Emergency Grant:

• Online application through ffwg.org.uk
• Cannot save application; complete in one session
• Must provide evidence of ability to pay fees
• Requires one academic reference

Theodora Bosanquet Bursary:

• Email grants@ffwg.org.uk to request application form
• Provide information on qualifications, research topic, and need for bursary
• Supply contact details for two referees

Application Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• University course details (start/end dates)
• Number of children (if relevant)
• Degrees and qualifications
• Employment record
• Reason for applying for a grant
• Previous year's financing details
• Other funding sources applied to
• Current income and expenditure breakdown
• Referee contact information

Decision Timeline

Foundation Grant:

• Application opens: 31 January
• Application closes: 27 March
• Results announced: July
• Timeline: Approximately 4 months from application close to decision

Emergency Grant:

• Applications close: Early January (6 January 2026)
• Results announced: March 2026
• Applications also close in April and June with results in subsequent months
• Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from close to decision

Theodora Bosanquet Bursary:

• Deadline: 31 October
• Awards announced: Following spring

Reapplication Policy

Foundation Grant: Cannot reapply if you have already received a Foundation Grant

Emergency Grant: Can reapply even if previously received an Emergency Grant

Unsuccessful Applicants: The organization does not specify waiting periods or restrictions for unsuccessful Foundation Grant applicants (other than the one-time-only award rule). Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not explicitly documented on their website.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

The grant committee assesses applications based on three primary factors:

1. Financial Need: The reason for funding shortfall and demonstrated financial necessity
2. Academic Calibre: Academic excellence and quality of research
3. References: Strong support from academic and professional referees

As stated on their website: “The criteria for awarding Grants are the proven needs of the applicant and her academic calibre.”

Competitive Environment

• Demand for funding from women postgraduates is very high
• FfWG is “never able to support all the deserving applications that they receive”
• “Competition is very great so not all qualifying applicants will receive a Grant”
• “There are always more applications than can be funded in any one year”
• Most applicants have genuine need for funding, making decisions difficult

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Demonstrate Clear Financial Need: The committee emphasizes that Emergency Grants are not “top-up” awards - applicants should show genuine unforeseen circumstances or funding shortfalls rather than general student financial pressure.

Academic Excellence: Strong academic performance and potential to complete the degree successfully are crucial factors.

Strong References: Choose referees who can speak directly to both your academic calibre and, where relevant, your financial circumstances.

Completion of Degree Work: Foundation Grants specifically target students in their final year who are close to completing their PhD/DPhil, as the foundation's mission is to help women successfully complete their postgraduate qualifications.

Grant Recipient Testimonials

“The grant gave me freedom and stability to concentrate on my studies... without worrying about living expenses.”

“The ability to make so much progress in my thesis has allowed me to secure a role as Research Associate in Law at Newcastle University and pursue my dream of being an academic in law.” - Rebecca Owens, Newcastle University 2021

“It is no exaggeration to say that I would not have made it through last year without the FfWG grant.” - Armi Bayot, University of Oxford 2020

“Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I needed to relocate at short notice... This funding helped me afford secure housing.” - Emergency Grant recipient

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is critical: Foundation Grant applications have a narrow two-month window (late January to late March), so prepare early
• Final year focus: Foundation Grants specifically target final year PhD students - apply when you're in your writing-up or final fee-paying year
• Needs-based assessment: Not all grants are awarded at the maximum amount; awards are calibrated to demonstrated financial need combined with academic merit
• Competition is fierce: With more deserving applicants than available funding, both financial need and academic excellence must be clearly evidenced
• Emergency Grants are reusable: Unlike Foundation Grants (one-time only), Emergency Grants can be received multiple times if genuine crises occur
• Complete applications in one session: The online form cannot be saved, so gather all information (financial details, referee contacts, course information) before starting
• Choose referees carefully: At least one academic referee is required who can speak to your scholarly calibre and progress toward completion

References

• BFWG Charitable Foundation, Charity Commission Register, charity number 312903. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=312903&subid=0
• Funds for Women Graduates official website. https://www.ffwg.org.uk
• Foundation Grant information. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/grants/foundation-grant/
• Emergency Grant information. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/grants/emergency-grant/
• Theodora Bosanquet Bursary information. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/grants/theodora-bosanquet-bursary/
• Application Process. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/grants-bursaries-fellowships/application-process/
• FAQs. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/grants-bursaries-fellowships/faqs/
• Our Governors. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/about-us/our-governors/
• The Value of Our Grants. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/about-us/the-value-of-our-grants/
• About BFWG. https://www.ffwg.org.uk/about-us/bfwg/