Inaugural cohort of Harding Scholars welcomed

Prof Sir Mark Welland, Mr David Harding and Prof Stephen J Toope with the first cohort of Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars

The first cohort of Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars was welcomed on 23 October 2019 at a special event at St Catharine’s College. The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme - funded by the David and Claudia Harding Foundation - will ultimately fully fund, in perpetuity, more than 100 PhD students in residence across the University at any one time. Scholarships are available to the most talented students for research in any discipline.

David Harding - together with University Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen J Toope and Professor Sir Mark Welland, Master of St Catharine’s College - met the Scholars whose PhD research topics include cancer therapy, quantum gravity, street crime and homelessness.

David Harding said: “The breadth and depth of talent within the first cohort of Harding Scholars is incredibly impressive. We look forward very much to following their progress in the years to come. And that isn’t simply because we want each and every one of them to excel, although of course we do. It’s because we know that through their research, innovation and ideas, the Harding Scholars will become leaders in our society, and key contributors in tackling the world’s greatest challenges – something Cambridge has done with outstanding success for more than 800 years.”