Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has announced the opening of applications for the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships Scheme 2026, now in its eleventh round. The program invites outstanding applicants with high-quality research projects and strong supervisory support to apply.
Scholarship Details
- Application opens: September 22, 2025
- Deadline: January 30, 2026
- Host institution: Liverpool John Moores University
- Number of awards: Up to 20 scholarships in 2026
- Focus: The scheme supports high-quality, multidisciplinary research projects and encourages collaboration with global institutions.
- Part of: LJMU Strategy 2030 for Research and Knowledge Exchange
Funding Coverage
The scholarship provides:
- Full tuition fee coverage for full-time PhD students.
- Annual living stipend of £20,780 per year, starting from October 2025, paid monthly.
- Annual bench fee of £1,600, awarded to the lead supervisor to support research and laboratory costs.
For part-time students:
Only tuition fees and bench fees are covered; no living stipend is provided.
Eligibility Criteria
For Students:
- Open to both UK and international applicants (home and overseas fee status).
- Applicants currently enrolled in a Master’s program (taught or research) must complete their degree before PhD registration in August/September 2026.
- Applicants who are currently enrolled in a PhD program at LJMU or in any other Level 8 qualification are not eligible.
- The scheme does not support professional doctorates or any other non-PhD Level 8 qualifications.
For Supervisors:
- The Lead Supervisor must be a permanent academic staff member at LJMU holding a position of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, or above.
- Postdoctoral researchers and research assistants cannot act as lead supervisors.
- Staff may act as co-supervisors on multiple applications but can only serve as lead supervisor on one.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Quality of the proposed research project, academic context, and proposed training plan.
- Clarity and accessibility of the Lay Summary (max 250 words), written for a non-specialist audience.
- Relevance of the proposed project to the university’s or faculty’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy.
- Quality of proposed supervision.
- Priority will be given to exceptional projects with innovative potential.
How to Apply
Step 1: Download the Official Application Form
Both the student and the lead supervisor must download the official Application Form Template available on the LJMU website (Word file, approx. 75.6 KB).
They must jointly complete the form, as this step formalizes their collaboration in preparing the research proposal.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form and Upload the Required Documents
The completed form must include:
- Applicant’s personal and academic details.
- A Lay Summary (max 250 words) explaining the research idea and objectives in accessible language.
- A full Research Proposal and training plan.
- A Statement of Link, explaining how the proposed project aligns with LJMU’s Strategy 2030 or the faculty’s Research and Knowledge Exchange plan.
- An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which must be submitted directly by the applicant to the university via the official email address (not through the supervisor).
Step 3: Submit the Application
After completing all required sections, the final application must be submitted by the Lead Supervisor on behalf of the student via email:
📧 [email protected]
Step 4: Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM (UK time) on January 30, 2026.
Late submissions, or applications without an eligible lead supervisor, will not be considered.
Important Notes
- It is strongly recommended that the student and supervisor prepare the application collaboratively from the start.
- Additional materials beyond those requested in the form will not be considered during assessment.
- Successful applicants must complete the official PGR Application Form online to register with the Doctoral Academy in August/September 2026.
Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of the offer.
