The Global Development Fellowship, offered by Imperial College London (ICL), is a fully funded initiative designed to support PhD students from low-income countries.
The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of £1,900, a one-time £200 arrival allowance, return economy-class travel, visa application coverage, and additional support to ensure selected candidates can successfully carry out their short-term research placement in the United Kingdom.
Program Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: Least Developed or Lower Middle Income Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £1,900 Monthly Stipend | Travel & Visa Costs
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: November 28, 2025
Fellowship Details
Applications are now open for the Imperial College London Global Development Fellowship. This fellowship is designed to support impactful, short-term research placements for PhD students from Least Developed and Lower Middle-Income Countries.
With the endorsement of their PhD supervisor and a confirmed host supervisor at Imperial College London, selected students will have the opportunity to undertake a placement lasting between 2 and 4 months. These placements are intended to strengthen research capacity and collaboration, and must take place within the specified timeline, in alignment with the guidelines provided by the OECD ODA Recipients List.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Global Development Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be a current doctoral student
- Be a passport holder and permanent resident of a Least Developed Country (LDC) or Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC)
- Be undertaking their PhD at an institution located within an LDC or LMIC
- Be at least 12 months into their PhD programme at the time of the placement
- Have a Letter of Support from a host supervisor at Imperial College London, signed by the Head of Department
- Have a Letter of Recommendation from their home PhD supervisor
- Ensure the Letter of Recommendation affirms their English proficiency for the placement
Program Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of £1,900
- A one-off payment of £200 upon arrival in the UK
- Return economy-class travel
- Payment for the standard UK visa application and Biometrics Residence Permit
- Financial assistance for travel to visa application centres
- Placement duration of 2 to 4 months, beginning in March 2026 and ending before July 31, 2026
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare to submit:
- Background details demonstrating eligibility (via the application form)
- A Letter of Recommendation from the home institution, preferably from the PhD supervisor, confirming the applicant’s skills, suitability, and English proficiency
- A Letter of Support from the host supervisor at Imperial, signed by the Head of Department, outlining planned training and support
- Answers to the following (in the application form):
- A 200-word layperson summary of the applicant’s PhD work
- A 500-word explanation of planned placement activities and their relevance to the PhD
- A 250-word description of how the placement will enhance the applicant’s skills, competencies, and networks
How to Apply
To apply, interested and qualified candidates should:
- Visit the fellowship webpage
- Explore Imperial College London’s academic departments and institutes to identify suitable host areas aligned with their PhD research
- Contact potential academic supervisors directly to discuss placement opportunities
- Use the official Template Letter for Potential Supervisors – Global Development Fellowship
- Ensure Letters of Recommendation and Support are emailed to [email protected]
To apply for this program, click HERE
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