Imperial College London, ranked 2nd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, is a world-leading institution in science, engineering, medicine, and business. With nearly 60% international students, Imperial offers a truly global academic environment that thrives on innovation and collaboration. To ensure financial barriers never limit exceptional research talent, the university provides extensive funding opportunities, led by the prestigious President PhD Scholarship. also check: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
The President PhD Scholarship 2026/2027 is Imperial College London’s flagship doctoral funding program, offering 50 fully funded PhD positions to outstanding researchers from around the world. This highly competitive scholarship covers full tuition fees, a generous living stipend, and additional research support, allowing scholars to focus entirely on original, high-impact research. As one of the most sought-after PhD scholarships in the UK, the President’s PhD Scholarship attracts ambitious candidates committed to academic excellence and global impact. also check: Coca Cola Scholarship 2027
Beyond financial support, the President PhD Scholarship provides access to an elite research ecosystem at the heart of London. Scholars collaborate with world-class faculty, benefit from Imperial’s strong industry connections, and gain exposure to real-world applications of research. For the 2026 intake, the President’s PhD Scholarship specifically seeks candidates with independence of thought, creativity, and leadership potential to tackle global challenges such as climate change, global health, and artificial intelligence ethics. check: Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded (UK)
In addition to the President’s PhD Scholarship, Imperial College London offers other funding pathways for Master’s and Undergraduate students, including the GREAT Scholarships and the Sanctuary Scholarship. However, for doctoral candidates, the President PhD Scholarship 2026 stands out as one of the most generous and prestigious PhD funding opportunities in the UK, covering tuition, living costs, and professional development through the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI).
Scholarship Summary
| Category | Details |
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Host Institution | Imperial College London |
| Level of Study | PhD (Postgraduate Doctoral) |
| Funding Status | Fully Funded |
| Annual Stipend | £26,500 (2026/27 rate) |
| Number of Awards | 50 per year |
| Target Audience | All Nationalities (UK and International) |
| Program Duration | 3.5 Years |
Scholarship Benefits
The President PhD Scholarship offers a comprehensive financial and professional development package:
- Full Tuition Coverage
- Generous Living Stipend
- Consumables Fund
- Professional Development:
- Researcher Institute (ECRI)
- Mentorship & Support
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the President PhD Scholarship 2026 intake, candidates must meet:
- Academic Performance: Candidates must hold a First class.
- Class honours degree at the undergraduate or integrated Master’s level.
- Supervisor Consent: Before applying, you must secure the agreement of an academic supervisor at Imperial who is willing to support your research project.
- New Applicants Only: The scholarship is available for new PhD students starting in 2026.
- Nationality: the award is open to students from every country.
- Language Proficiency: Must meet the College’s “Higher” English language requirement (e.g., IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in all elements).
- Also check: Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded Study Programs in Australia
Required Documents
Imperial does not use a separate scholarship application form. Instead, the following documents must be uploaded via the standard admissions portal:
- Personal Statement (2 Pages):
- Page 1: Focused on your motivation for applying to Imperial and the scholarship.
- Page 2: A concise and well-structured Research Proposal.
- Two Academic References
- Official Transcripts
- CV
- English Language Certificate
Deadline
President PhD Scholarships are assessed in three distinct rounds. Early application is strongly recommended, especially for international students.
| Round | Application Deadline | Notification of Outcome |
| Round 1 | November 3, 2025 | By January 31, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 12, 2026 | By March 31, 2026 |
| Round 3 | March 2, 2026 | By May 31, 2026 |
Step by step Application Process
- Find a Supervisor: Use the Imperial Research Directory
- Start Your Admission Application: through the Imperial Online Admissions System.
- Indicate Scholarship Interest: In the “Funding”
- Upload the 2-Page Statement
- Submit and Nominate: Once your application is submitted, your department will review it. If they deem you an exceptional candidate, they will formally nominate you for the scholarship.
- Final Panel Review: A College-level selection panel consisting of Vice-Deans will make the final decision based on academic excellence and research impact.
- Also check: DAAD Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded Study Programs in Germany




