The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £95,000
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £4,800
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Geographic Focus: Pakistani nationals only
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines

Contact Details

Website: www.wallace-trusts.org.uk

Email: timbutchard@wallace-trusts.org.uk

Phone: +44 (0)20 8741 0836

Secretary: Rebecca Walton CMG

The Old Manor House, Cholesbury, Tring, Herts HP23 6ND

For Open Fellowship Applications:

British Council Pakistan

Email: cwpt@britishcouncil.org.pk

Overview

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust (CWPT), established in 1981, is a registered UK charity (No. 283337) that provides selective support for higher education and professional development in the UK for Pakistani citizens. Named after Charles Wallace, a British businessman who flourished in India in the late 19th century, the Trust forms part of a family of four trusts established for the countries of former British India.

With an annual expenditure of approximately £95,000, the Trust operates with minimal administrative costs, dedicating almost 90% of its investment income directly to its educational work. The Trust's mission is to advance education for the benefit of the public in the United Kingdom and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through fellowships and bursaries for Pakistani nationals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Open Visiting Fellowships: £1,500/month + £1,000 travel/visa contribution (3 weeks - 3 months)

• Up to 12 fellowships awarded annually for Pakistani academics and professionals
• Applications via British Council Pakistan with mid-June deadline

Doctoral Student Bursaries: £1,000 maximum

• Twice-yearly awards for Pakistani PhD students in UK
• Fixed deadlines: April 30 and October 31
• For students in final year or anticipating final year

Reserved Visiting Fellowships: £1,600/month + travel/visa contribution (3 weeks - 3 months)

• Administered by partner UK institutions including SOAS, University of Nottingham, University of Edinburgh, and LSE
• Applications directly to partner institutions

Priority Areas

• Humanities, arts and creative industries
• Social sciences and social development
• Environmental sciences
• Health sciences and life sciences including medicine
• Junior or mid-career professionals aged 30-50
• Those who have never travelled abroad for study (modest advantage)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals who have studied in UK/US/Canada/Australia/Europe/China in last 5 years (for Open Fellowships)
• Previous beneficiaries of Charles Wallace awards
• Course fees or bench fees
• Full PhD funding (doctoral bursaries are supplementary only)
• Non-Pakistani nationals

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Peter Elborn OBE - Chair
• Professor Sarah Ansari
• Nada Raza
• Dr Shehla Zaidi
• Professor Adnan Khan
• Rosemary Arnott OBE
• Professor Faisal Devji
• Tim Butchard
• Rebecca Walton CMG - Secretary

The Trust is managed day-to-day by the Secretary who reports to the Board of Trustees, which includes distinguished academics with expertise in South Asian studies.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Open Visiting Fellowships:

1. Independently identify and contact UK host institution
2. Obtain formal Letter of Invitation from UK institution
3. Complete application form from British Council Pakistan website
4. Submit to cwpt@britishcouncil.org.pk with Letter of Invitation and CV
5. Applications advertised December/January, deadline mid-June

Doctoral Student Bursaries:

1. Complete CWPT Application Form
2. Obtain supporting letter from PhD supervisor
3. Include 2-page CV maximum
4. Submit to Trust Secretary
5. Deadlines: April 30 and October 31

Decision Timeline

• Open Fellowships: Interviews in July, awards announced late July/August
• Doctoral Bursaries: Trustees meet late May and early December, decisions soon after
• Processing time: Approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline to notification

Success Rates

Specific statistics not published, but Trust notes “given the high number of applications, individual feedback will not be provided,” indicating competitive selection. Approximately 12 Open Visiting Fellowships awarded annually.

Reapplication Policy

• Previous beneficiaries cannot reapply
• Unsuccessful doctoral bursary applicants may reapply if still eligible
• No specific waiting period for first-time unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Academic Excellence: All applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic credentials - the Trust is not primarily a hardship fund.

Financial Need: Must demonstrate genuine financial need alongside academic merit.

Clear UK Host Connection: For Open Fellowships, a strong Letter of Invitation from UK institution is critical. Applicants must secure this independently.

Professional Development Focus: Applications should demonstrate how the UK visit will broaden professional knowledge, skills, and contacts.

Career Stage: Open Fellowships prioritize junior or mid-career professionals (aged 30-50).

Complete Documentation: Given high application volumes, incomplete applications unlikely to receive consideration.

Realistic Budgeting: For doctoral bursaries, the £1,000 grant is supplementary only - demonstrate other funding sources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Individual fellowship program: Trust funds Pakistani individuals, not UK organizations, though UK institutions serve as hosts
• Host institutions play key role: UK organizations willing to host Pakistani fellows should be aware of this funding source
• Age and career stage matter: Open Fellowships target mid-career professionals aged 30-50
• Limited funding requires other sources: Doctoral bursaries provide only £1,000, requiring substantial alternative funding
• Proactive networking essential: Applicants must independently secure UK host invitations
• Competitive but achievable: Approximately 12 Open Fellowships from high application volumes
• Strict deadlines: Fixed deadlines with no late applications accepted

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The British Institute of Persian Studies
• The Sino-British Fellowship Trust
• The Charles Wallace India Trust
• Universities China Committee in London
• The Aziz Foundation
• The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies
• Gift Foundation
• THE CANADA-UK FOUNDATION
• The Northcote Trust
• Council for At-Risk Academics

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust (Charity No. 283337)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/

Accessed: March 2026

1. The Charles Wallace Trusts - Activities of the Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

https://wallace-trusts.org.uk/cwt_pakistan.html

Accessed: March 2026

1. British Council Pakistan - The Charles Wallace Visiting Fellowship Programme

https://www.britishcouncil.pk/study-uk/scholarships-funding/charles-wallace-visiting-fellowship-programme

Accessed: March 2026

1. SOAS University of London - Charles Wallace Pakistan Fellowship

https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-life/finance/scholarships/

Accessed: March 2026

1. University of Edinburgh IASH - The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Fellowship

https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/charles-wallace-pakistan-trust-fellowship

Accessed: March 2026

1. London School of Economics - The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

https://www.lse.ac.uk/south-asia-centre/Charles-Wallace-Trust/

Accessed: March 2026

1. University of Nottingham - Charles Wallace Trust Nottingham Fellowship

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/asiaresearch/

Accessed: March 2026