Last Friday, the Martingale Foundation welcomed over 40 aspiring doctoral students to the launch of our PhD Navigator Programme. This event, held at the Conduit, marked the beginning of an exciting journey designed to support participants in creating informed and competitive PhD applications to our partner universities.
The day provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to engage with academics, meet representatives from eight of our partner universities, and connect with current Martingale Scholars, who shared their experiences of postgraduate study and life as part of the Martingale community. Their insights added a rich perspective to the event, inspiring participants and demonstrating the strength of the Martingale network.
In addition to practical advice on applications, the event emphasised the importance of building connections and fostering a sense of belonging within the cohort. At Martingale our aim is to be more than a Scholarship provider—we are a community committed to supporting Scholars at every step of their journey. Through shared discussions and activities, participants began forming the connections that will shape their cohort and help them thrive during their PhD studies.
Unlike traditional Scholarships, Martingale supports candidates before they apply to universities, ensuring tailored support that addresses barriers beyond finances, such as navigating the hidden curriculum of academia. Over the coming months, participants will benefit from personalised guidance in identifying the right universities and supervisors suited to them, expert application and interview training, and continued encouragement from the wider Martingale community.
Matt Garraghan, Programme Manager shared “It was fantastic to see so many talented and passionate candidates attending our first ever PhD Showcase last week. This event is a invaluable opportunity for Martingale PhD candidates to network with academics and doctoral students from all of our partner universities and CDTs, and to learn more about the range of opportunities open to them. I wish all of the candidates the best of luck with their PhD applications over the coming weeks.”
We extend our thanks to the academics from our partner universities and to the current Scholars who joined us for their enthusiastic contributions, which made the day such a success!
Best of luck to our PhD Navigator participants as they embark on this transformative journey. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and future opportunities with Martingale, by signing up to our monthly newsletter here.