Announcement

The Centre for Nepal Studies UK (CNSUK) in collaboration of Social Science Baha (SSB) invites applications from students pursuing their Master’s studies in Nepali universities to receive one grant of up to a maximum of NPR 50,000 towards fieldwork expenses and/or the writing of dissertations.

This Motilal Singh Master’s Dissertation Scholarship was established in 2016 by CNSUK to celebrate Nepali migration to the United Kingdom as well as the over two-century-long formal relationship between Nepal and Britain. The primary objective of the scholarship is to support a student studying at a Nepali university to write a well-researched and original Master’s dissertation.

Area of research
The subject of the dissertation research can be any field of social science dealing with Nepal or the Nepali cultural world, broadly understood. The areas of research include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Migration (internal/international)
• Diaspora (including connections to Nepal)
• International relations (vis-à-vis Nepal)
• Development (international development aid and activities in Nepal, and its impact)

Along with a small grant, the selected candidate(s) will be offered guidance (co-supervision) by designated researcher(s) at CNSUK and/or SSB as per their specialty. A summary of the research outcomes will be published in CNSUK’s website and or any other suitable outlets. The student will be encouraged to present a paper based on their Master’s research at the Annual Kathmandu Conference on Nepal and the Himalaya.

Application
Interested and eligible students should submit their applications by email to info@soscbaha.org.
Applications should include the following:

1. A one-page personal statement (stating why the applicant should be funded);
2. A two-page description of the proposed research; and
3. Evidence (e.g., letter from the department/college) showing that the applicant is a current student enrolled in a Master’s programme in a Nepali university.

Shortlisted candidates for the interview will need to submit the following before attending the interview:

1. A budget of breakdown of the expenses to be incurred (not more than one page). The budget should itemise all expenses as accurately as possible, even if the total comes to more than NPR 50,000. However, the maximum amount provided to the successful candidate will be limited to NPR 50,000.
2. A curriculum vitae (not exceeding two pages).
3. A supporting letter from the affiliated university/college indicating the name and consent of the proposed supervisor.

All applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of researchers from CNSUK and SSB, and short-listed candidates will be interviewed either online or face to face at SSB.

Timetable
Application deadline: 15 July 2019
Notification to shortlisted candidates: 25 July 2019
Interview: To be confirmed
Notification of outcome:16 August 2019
Grant period: September 2019 to April 2020

Motilal Singh migrated to the UK much earlier than the well-known visit of Prime Minister Jang Bahadur Rana and his team in 1850. Motilal published an article in New Monthly Magazine and Humorist in 1850 about Jang Bahadur Rana’s visit to the UK. As far as is known, he is the first Nepali to write and publish in the English language. Motilal was born in Bhadgaon in about 1794 and was a Gorkha warrior, who fought in the Nepal-Britain war of 1814. CNSUK has published a book about Motilal Singh which also includes his article translated and edited by Dr Krishna Adhikari. Initially a small fund named ‘Motilal Memorial Fund’ was created through the proceeds from the sale of the book. This scholarship is a part of Motilal memorial activities.