TORCH invites applications for our funding initiative open to Oxford DPhil candidates looking to collaborate with other students across faculties and divisions on multi- or interdisciplinary Humanities themes. The “TORCH Critical-Thinking Communities” will be able to critically consider historical, cultural, or aesthetic ideas or methodological issues. We are particularly keen to receive applications that take a culturally diverse and/or transnational approach to an issue or set of related questions. Lead applicants must include Humanities students, but can also include students from other divisions. They should be from more than one faculty.
The “Critical-Thinking Communities” initiative aims to provide senior mentorship and logistical support to DPhil candidates. In-kind support includes publicity through TORCH’s website and social media, room bookings (if dates available), use of the TORCH Zoom account and advice on events best practice.
Successful applications will receive max. £300 and we expect to see value for money demonstrated in the budget plans. Funds can be used to cover expenses related to the running of reading groups, workshops, seminars and other discussion forums. We are more likely to fund a series of ongoing events than one large one. We do not typically fund other websites, as we offer space on the TORCH website. We will also not cover personal research expenses, the cost of zoom licences or other online platforms, memberships or subscriptions or speaker fees/honoraria.
If you would like to discuss a possible application, or have questions about eligible costs, please contact Sarah Clay, TORCH Centre Manager on sarah.clay@humanities.ox.ac.uk.
Deadlines:
Please submit applications by noon on Monday 5 October 2026.
Activities should start no earlier than a month after the closing date as an absolute minimum and we suggest allowing more time, so that plans can be properly put into place.
Applications should be sent to the TORCH team (torch@humanities.ox.ac.uk). You will be asked to include the names of the proposed applicants (no less than three), and a budget breakdown. Successful applicants will be invited to contribute a blog post on the TORCH website and will be expected to submit a final report.
We aim to respond to all applicants within 3 weeks of the deadline closing.
Critical-Thinking Communities Application Form
TORCH Open Funding Call Privacy Notice
