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Bursaries are now available for physics, maths and natural science undergraduates, going to or currently at UK universities, thanks to a generous legacy from the R W Barnes Bursary Fund.

The fund has been set up through Quartet Community Foundation to offer financial assistance to undergraduates studying engineering, maths or physics, at specific UK universities. Students must live, before going to university, in the following postcode areas: BS, BA, TA, DT plus SP3/7/8, SN10/12/13/14/15, GL9.

Priority will be given to applicants:

  • With no family history of higher education
  • Attending Imperial College, Bath or Cambridge Universities
  • Studying Mathematics or Physics, Natural Sciences (Mathematics plus Physics only)
  • Living within BA8, BA9, BA11 postcodes.

These bursaries are only possible thanks to a generous gift from one local man, Ron Barnes. A Somerset businessman and a scientist with diverse business interests, Ron was passionate about giving young people opportunities. Over his lifetime, he gave 277 grants worth £266,540 to help students with their university studies.

Ron didn’t want the good work to end when he died, so he left a legacy to Quartet Community Foundation to continue the charitable work in his name to benefit hundreds of local students for years to come.

Josh Inoue (pictured) received a bursary to help him through his studies. “The RW Barnes Fund was a real help at university to make ends meet and allowed me to get fully involved in my course and societies over my time there,” he explained. “It provided financial security allowing me to focus on my demanding mathematics degree, dedicating extra time to developing my overall understanding and knowledge in the subject matter, in particular in my final years where there was more focus on independent study.

“Having spent some time away from academia I plan to return to further study toward a PhD in Mathematics, given the fantastic experience I had at university and the love for the subject I cultivated there with the help of the RWB Fund, pursuing what I am deeply interested in.”

The R W Barnes Bursary Grant programme is open for applications. The closing date is 17 July 2020, 1pm. Maximum grant awarded is £2,500

Students can find out more and apply online: https://quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/r-w-barnes-bursary/  or email Julie Newman email hidden; JavaScript is required