Global Development Fellowship at Imperial College London (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Global Development Fellowship, a fully funded, short-term research placement at Imperial College London for PhD students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Open to all research fields aligned with Imperial’s departments, this fellowship supports 2–4 month lab placements starting in March 2026, with a strict deadline of Friday, 28 November 2025 (23:59 GMT). There is no application fee.

Fully funded by Imperial’s International Relations Office, it covers stipend, travel, visa, and arrival costs, making it an exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers in eligible countries to accelerate their PhD with world-class supervision and facilities. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Host Institution: Imperial College London, UK
• Duration: 2–4 months (must start March 2026, end by 31 July 2026)
• Funding Type: Fully funded (stipend + travel + visa + arrival support)
• Monthly Stipend: £1,900
• Application Deadline: 28 November 2025 (23:59 GMT)
• Application Fee: None

Funding Provided

Successful applicants receive:

• Monthly stipend: £1,900
• One-off arrival payment: £200
• Return economy airfare
• Standard UK visa fee + Biometrics Residence Permit
• Travel support to visa application centres

Note: Funding covers only the fellow — no support for dependents. You must arrange your own accommodation in London (guidance document available after selection).

Also check: Erasmus Mundus MESPOM Scholarship 2026-2028

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

• Be a current PhD student.
• Hold a passport and be a permanent resident of an LDC or LMIC (see OECD DAC List 2024–25).
• Be studying your PhD at an institution in an LDC or LMIC.
• Have completed at least 12 months of your PhD by the placement start.
• Secure a Letter of Support from a host supervisor at Imperial (countersigned by the Head of Department).
• Obtain a Letter of Recommendation from your home PhD supervisor confirming sufficient English proficiency (no formal test required).

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

You are NOT eligible if you:

• Hold British dual citizenship.
• Are a permanent resident of a non-LDC/LMIC country.
• Are studying your PhD outside an LDC/LMIC.

How to Find a Host Supervisor

1. Browse Imperial’s departments & institutes to find a lab that matches your research.
2. Contact academics directly. Use the official Template Letter for Potential Supervisors.
3. Leverage any existing collaborations between your home institution and Imperial.

Application Requirements

Submit everything by 28 November 2025. You will need:

1. Online application form including:
   • Proof of eligibility (background details).
   • Layperson summary of your PhD (200 words).
   • Description of planned activities & value to your PhD (500 words).
   • How you will build skills, competencies & networks (250 words).
2. Letter of Recommendation from home supervisor (PDF).
3. Letter of Support from Imperial host (PDF, signed by Head of Department).

Email both letters to: [email protected]

Review Process & Timeline

• Applications reviewed in early December 2025 by the Fellowship Committee.
• Outcomes emailed as soon as possible.
• Geographical balance will be considered for fairness.

Check for undergraduate study: Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

Key Dates