Coronavirus FAQs

Like all parts of the economy, the Trust’s financial situation has been adversely affected by the pandemic. The Trust’s income depends entirely upon the income generated from its investment with the Cambridge University Endowment Fund and this will likely remain lower than planned or expected for some time. However, the great majority of the Trust’s expenditure is on fixed costs (fees, maintenance and rent for the office and scholars’ room) and these have not changed, while some costs have unexpectedly increased (e.g. the cost of scholars’ flights home during the pandemic).

The UK Charity Commission also requires all charities to review non-core costs, so the Trust is reviewing all budgets outside of those listed above, with a view to reducing such costs where this is possible and appropriate.  Just under 95% of the Trust’s expenditure is on direct scholar costs, with the balance used for administration.

Despite these challenges, the Trust continues to offer one of the most generous international scholarships available, funds a range of community building and professional development events and activities and will always ensure no scholar is in a position of hardship.

You can find full information about Coronavirus using the websites below: ·

• Government guidance
• Public health guidance from the NHS

Staff

The Trust is operating as normal and continues to provide wide ranging support to scholars. Staff meet regularly to ensure the Trust is responding quickly and flexibly to the evolving pandemic. Our staff are working from home but are available by email as usual to support scholars and answer any questions you may have. Please email scholar.support@gatescambridge.org if your question is not answered by these FAQs or the Guidelines for Scholars.

Maintenance

The Trust has made the usual maintenance payments to all scholars who were due maintenance in Easter 2020, Long Vacation 2020, Michaelmas 2020, Lent 2021, Easter 2021 and Long Vacation 2021. Payment of Michaelmas Term 2021 maintenance was made on 22 September 2021.

If you have not received your funds or were not able to sign in during the designated time, please do alert us by emailing scholar.support@gatescambridge.org

Travel and airfare

The Trust has paid for airfares home for those scholars who could and needed to return home in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. The Trust has also covered the cost of flights back to the UK for scholars who needed to return into residence.

Further information is available on our Current Scholars’ page

The Scholars’ Council, funded by the Trust, continues to provide numerous community building activities as well as specific support during the Coronavirus. These include:

• Mutual support
• Buddies of the week
• A list of mental health resources
• A range of virtual community building activities

Full details are available from the weekly e-bulletin.

Scholars who previously had Leave To Work Away because they were doing fieldwork and who are unable to return to Cambridge due to the impact of Coronavirus (e.g.  travel restrictions), but who are still able to study, should submit a further application for working away to the Student Registry and the Trust. You should also inform the University Insurance Office of any extended period of working away. Full updated guidance on Working Away is here:

• Working Away

You should regularly check the FCO travel advice.

You should keep the Trust up to date with your plans and email us if you have any questions about your award while working away.

Intermission

You should discuss both intermission and Leave to Work Away carefully with your supervisor to determine if these are the right courses of action for you.

Intermission is handled by the Student Registry and is based on medical and non-medical intermission. Details are below:

• Medical intermission
• Non-medical intermission

Should you decide to apply for intermission please follow the University procedure outlined above. You should also contact the Trust ASAP by email so that we can advise you about how intermission will affect your scholarship.

Leave To Work Away

If you are working away from Cambridge, you must follow the University’s LTWA procedure outlined here below. You should also email the Trust with details of your plans.

• Working away

PhD Scholars

Fourth year funding (core funding)

Although the Cambridge PhD is formally three years, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides a stipend for up to 4 years at the outset. Most scholars submit their thesis within 3.5 years, so there is an in-built buffer should more time be needed (e.g. when research has not gone to plan). The Trust therefore expects the large majority of PhD scholars to be able to complete within their four year funded period, which includes the impact of the Coronavirus.

• Gates Cambridge 4th year funding form

Fifth year funding (discretionary maintenance funding, case by case)

Scholars in their fourth year who (having discussed their progress with their supervisor) think they will require maintenance beyond the end of their fourth year due the impact of the Coronavirus should complete the discretionary funding form below. The Trust will review applications for part of fifth year maintenance funding on a case-by-case basis. Applications will need to be evidenced and supported by your supervisor.

• Gates Cambridge 5th year funding form

The Trust is only accepting applications for discretionary maintenance funding for part of a fifth year from fourth year scholars at this point. All other Scholars should continue to work towards completing within the four years of their award.  Any delays experienced during Coronavirus and noted in the Annual Report will be taken into consideration should an extension be required at a later date; but it is hoped that the in-built buffer of four years of maintenance should be sufficient in most cases

One-year scholars

The University has made arrangements for virtual learning, teaching and assessment to facilitate the completion of one-year postgraduate degrees, so it is hoped the majority of one-year students will complete their degree as planned. However, if your course has been officially extended or if you have been given extra time to complete your course, please contact the Trust with details. We will review applications for additional discretionary funding on a case-by-case basis.

If you are in residence in Cambridge please alert your College, most probably your College Tutor, so that appropriate support can be provided.  The University has provided guidance on their dedicated Stay Safe web pages.

You should also follow government and University advice and contact the NHS if necessary. Full details are available from:

• University latest guidance
• UK government latest guidance
• NHS latest guidance

The Trust has paid the NHS Health Surcharge for all scholars so that every scholar has free-at-the-point-of-use access to the NHS. The Trust does not have funds to cover private medical insurance or other associated medical costs, but the NHS will provide guidance and, where required, appropriate medical treatment.

The Trust does not have the expertise to advise on visa issues. But the University has provided full details on its Coronavirus page and staff at the International Student Office are available to provide information and advice about visas:

• University Coronavirus immigration information
• International Student Office

It is the Trust’s understanding that the UK Government will aim to be responsive to the unprecedented situation in terms of visas.

Please email scholar.support@gatescambridge.org  with details and one of our team will provide a response as soon as possible. The Trust is available to support scholars and works to respond to individual circumstances in a sympathetic and supportive way.

Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from Wikimedia Commons.