Imperial College President's PhD scholarships 2026-2027

Imperial College President's PhD scholarships is open to high performing undergraduate or Master's students who have a strong desire to undertake a PhD programme at the University for the 2026-2027 academic session. The President’s PhD Scholarships allow students undertake a research project of their choice with the support of an excellent supervisor, alongside cohort-building opportunities with other President's PhD Scholars.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorImperial College London
• City to studyLondon
• School to studyImperial College London
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Each of the 50 scholarships available provides the following support during the 3.5 years of study:

• Full funding for tuition fees
• A stipend of £26,500 (2026-27 rate) per annum to assist with living costs 
• A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
• A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI)

Requirements

1. Candidates must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated Masters degree; or if this has not been achieved
2. Candidates must be in receipt of (or where this has yet to be received be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to) a distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification.
3. Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality, although some departments may be unable to support international candidates.
4. The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are not eligible to be considered for a President's PhD Scholarship.

This allows candidates who have demonstrated excellence at Master's level, but not achieved a first class undergraduate degree, to be able to apply to the scheme.

Candidates with only a single undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s must still must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent.

International candidates should check with the relevant Admissions team that their grades meet the requirements of the scheme.

Selection Process

Candidates are assessed by the Faculties and College Selection Panel against the following criteria:

1. Academic excellence – as demonstrated by:
   1. past academic results
   2. transcripts
   3. relative class position
   4. awards
   5. distinctions
2. Research potential – as demonstrated by:
   1. the candidate’s research experience to date
   2. their interest in discovery
   3. the research plan and its potential contribution as described in their research proposal
   4. the departmental statement, which also reflects on performance at interview

Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.

Applicants not selected for the scholarship will automatically be considered for a standard PhD.

Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.

1. Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time)  3 November 2025 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31 January 2026. 
2. Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time) 12 January 2026 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31 March 2026.
3. Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time) 2 March 2026 and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by 31  May 2026.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• You must have made contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise your research project.
• Supervisors are limited to supervise one scholar at any time. Please review the President's PhD Scholarships - Unavailable Supervisors page for more information.
• Submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through our online admissions system and your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential.

In addition

1. For the 2026–27 academic year, the earliest start date for funded places is 1 August 2026, the latest start date is 1 November 2026.
2. Within ‘Supporting documents’, your personal statement should be a 2-page document structured as detailed below:
   1. the first page should be a personal statement (motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, and any other supporting information not included elsewhere on the form that you feel will enhance your application)
   2. the second page should be your research proposal. You may submit updated versions of this statement if required following application submission if your department shortlists you for the scholarship. You are encouraged to write in the first person.
3. The research proposal option under ‘Supporting documents’ should be used to provide a more detailed document if your department requires it.
4. When prompted for the names of two academic referees, these should be people who can provide an academic reference in support of your application (e.g. your personal tutor or your thesis supervisor). You should not include your proposed PhD supervisor. You are encouraged to share this guidance with your two referees, noting, in particular, the recommendation to use ‘they/them’ language (rather than gender pronouns).
5. To be considered for the President's PhD Scholarship scheme, you must select this option in the funding section of the additional questions tab within the online application form.

For more details, visit Imperial College London scholarship webpage