Imperial College London has officially opened applications for the President’s PhD Scholarships 2027, a highly competitive and fully funded doctoral award aimed at attracting exceptional research talent from around the world. These scholarships reinforce Imperial’s commitment to supporting outstanding graduate researchers and promoting scientific excellence across disciplines.
The President’s PhD Scholarships scheme offers up to 50 fully funded places for the academic year 2026–2027, providing successful candidates with comprehensive financial support for the full duration of their PhD.
Generous Funding Package
Recipients of the President’s PhD Scholarships will benefit from:
- Full coverage of tuition fees for the entire 3.5‑year doctoral programme.
- A living stipend of £26,500 per annum, enabling students to focus on research without financial strain.
- An additional £2,000 per year research consumables allowance for the first three years.
- Access to tailored professional development, cohort building, and events offered by Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute.
The scheme is open to candidates regardless of nationality, with support available for both home and overseas students, and allows for both full‑time and part‑time study.
Broad Academic Reach
The scholarships cover a wide range of research areas across Imperial’s faculties, including Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Business and Management, Computing, Mathematics, Life Sciences, and more. Applicants are encouraged to pursue projects aligned with their academic interests under the mentorship of leading supervisors at the college.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Apply for a new PhD programme at Imperial College London (continuing PhD students are not eligible).
- Hold, or be on track to obtain, a First‑Class bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a distinction in a standalone Master’s degree.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential.
- Secure agreement from an Imperial supervisor who will oversee their proposed research project.
Imperial encourages applications from all backgrounds and disciplines, valuing diversity and innovation in research.
Application Process and Deadlines
There is no separate scholarship application form. Candidates apply for PhD admission via Imperial’s online admissions system, and departments nominate eligible applicants for the scholarship based on academic merit and research potential.
Applications are reviewed in multiple rounds, with deadlines for the 2027 cohort typically falling in November 2025, January 2026, and March 2026. Successful candidates are notified following departmental assessment and College‑level review panels.
A Platform for Future Research Leaders
The President’s PhD Scholarships represent one of the most prestigious postgraduate research awards in the UK, offering scholars the financial freedom and academic environment to pursue high‑impact research at one of the world’s leading universities. By investing in tomorrow’s innovators today, Imperial College London continues to shape global research frontiers across sectors.
