Global Development Fellowship 2026 at Imperial College London | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

Imperial College London has announced the opening of applications for the Global Development Fellowship for the academic year 2025–2026, targeting PhD students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

The fellowship aims to support high-impact, short-term research placements in the field of global development by hosting PhD students in Imperial College London’s research labs for a duration of two to four months.

About the Fellowship

This initiative is part of the Global Development Hub at Imperial College London, which works to strengthen research, education, and innovation in developing countries, and to promote international academic collaboration that achieves real-world impact in low-resource communities.

Applications for the 2025–2026 cycle are open until November 28, 2025. Placements must begin in March 2026 and be completed before July 31, 2026.

Funding and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive comprehensive financial and logistical support, including:

A monthly stipend of £1,900.
A one-off payment of £200 upon arrival in the UK.
Round-trip economy class airfare.
Visa application and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) fees covered.
Financial support for travel to visa application centers.

Note: The fellowship funding is for individuals only and does not cover dependents.

Participants are expected to arrange their own accommodation in London during the fellowship period. Guidance and suggestions for housing are provided in the student guidance document.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to candidates who meet the following criteria:

Must be a current PhD student.
Must be a citizen and permanent resident of a country listed as a Least Developed Country (LDC) or a Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC).

(Among the eligible Arab countries under the LMIC category are: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) — along with other nations such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Ghana, as listed by the OECD ODA Recipients List.)

Must be enrolled at a university located in an LDC or LMIC.
Must have completed more than 12 months of PhD study by the time the placement begins.
Must have a Letter of Support from an academic host supervisor at Imperial, signed by the Head of Department.
Must provide a Letter of Recommendation from their PhD supervisor at their home institution.
Must demonstrate a strong command of English, sufficient to fully engage in the program (no formal English certificate required).

Ineligible Applicants

Dual British citizens.
Permanent residents of countries not classified as LDCs or LMICs.
PhD students currently studying in Upper Middle-Income or High-Income Countries.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application form by Friday, November 28, 2025, and include the following documents:

Background details demonstrating eligibility.
A Letter of Recommendation from their home institution supervisor, outlining the applicant’s skills, suitability, and English proficiency.
A Letter of Support from the Imperial host supervisor, signed by the Head of Department, explaining the training and support to be provided.

Important Note: Both the Letter of Recommendation and Letter of Support must be emailed to: [email protected].

Applicants must also answer the following questions within the application form:

A layperson summary of their PhD research (up to 200 words).
A description of what they will do during the fellowship and how it will add value to their PhD research (up to 500 words).
An explanation of how the experience will enhance their skills, competencies, and professional network (up to 250 words).

Finding a Host Supervisor at Imperial

Applicants are encouraged to browse Imperial College’s departmental and institute webpages to identify potential host departments that align with their PhD research interests, and to contact academics directly to explore hosting opportunities.

A template email for contacting potential supervisors is available on the program’s website.

Review and Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Global Development Fellowship Committee, in collaboration with relevant faculty representatives.

Results will be announced in December 2025, and successful candidates will be contacted via email with further details on receiving the grant and arranging the placement.

The committee will ensure fair geographical representation among selected fellows.

Additional Information

The fellowship must begin in March 2026 and cannot be extended beyond July 31, 2026.
Students whose research requires an ATAS certificate are advised to apply for it early to avoid delays.
Applicants are encouraged to have at least £200 available to cover initial expenses before reimbursement upon arrival in the UK.
The monthly stipend will be paid via bank transfer in GBP (£) only.