We are delighted to share that we have awarded forty talented undergrads from across Scotland Vacation Scholarships for 2026. 

Each scholar will spend between four and twelve weeks this summer working on a self-led and designed research project with living costs funded by Carnegie Education Fund (CEF). 

Successful awards include a project which explores the role of stigma and social factors in student interactions with AI mental health tools, another which will examine the utility of novel electrolytes for solid state batteries, and an investigation into reframing Gaelic study to make it popular with Gen Z learners. 

We are also pleased to be funding a Scholarship at Scotland’s Rural College for the first time, with the successful student undertaking a project researching lamb mortality due to cold stress and potential mitigation strategies. 

Hannah Garrow, Chief Executive at CEF said: “The diversity of the 40 projects shows the ambition and imagination of our scholars. These awards will give them the space to test their ideas, build real research and project management skills, and step into their final year with momentum. 

“There’s some really exciting work proposed; we’re proud to support them and can’t wait to see what they produce.” 

The successful cohort of scholars hail from thirteen institutions across the breadth of Scotland, with representation across a diverse range of subject areas. 

Our Vacation Scholarship scheme runs each academic year and offers a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students in the penultimate year of their study to learn in-demand research skills that open doors to postgrad study and research careers.  

The scheme is open to Scottish students from low-income backgrounds who are studying at Scottish universities. Applications for 2027 will open later this year. 

We wish the best of luck to our new crop of scholars and look forward to hearing more about their exploits and achievements throughout the summer.