Imperial’s Global Development Fellowship supports PhD students from Least Developed and Lower Middle-Income Countries with funded 2–4 month placements in London. Apply before 28 November 2025
Introduction
Imperial College London has opened applications for its highly impactful Global Development Fellowship for the 2025–26 cycle. Designed to empower emerging researchers from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the fellowship provides short-term, fully funded placements at one of the world’s leading research universities.
The initiative, run through the Imperial Global Development Lab, reflects Imperial’s commitment to strengthening global research collaboration and advancing development-focused solutions through academic partnerships.
Applications are currently open, with a closing deadline of 28 November 2025 at 23:59.
About the Global Development Fellowship
The Global Development Fellowship enables eligible PhD students to undertake a 2–4 month placement at Imperial College London. These placements are designed to strengthen global research ecosystems by giving students from LMICs and LDCs access to world-class facilities, mentorship, and collaborative networks.
Placements must begin in March 2026 and be completed by 31 July 2026, providing a defined yet flexible period for intensive research exchange.
Each fellow works with:
- Their home PhD supervisor, ensuring continuity of academic goals
- A host supervisor at Imperial, providing guidance, laboratory access and integration into Imperial’s research environment
Through these partnerships, fellows are able to explore innovative ideas, advance their doctoral research, and strengthen international collaboration.
The Global Development Hub: A Foundation for Impact
The fellowship is coordinated by the Global Development Hub, an initiative that amplifies Imperial’s global engagement across education, research, and collaborative development projects. The Hub works closely with partners in LMICs and LDCs to drive impactful research that addresses pressing social, environmental and health challenges.
Past fellowship cohorts (2023–24 and 2024–25) have contributed to research spanning:
- Climate resilience
- Public health
- Sustainable energy systems
- Computational modelling
- Water and sanitation systems
- Disaster risk reduction
More information about previous fellows’ projects is available through the Hub’s published updates.
What the Fellowship Covers
The Global Development Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, ensuring that accepted students can focus fully on their academic projects while in London.
Funding Package Includes:
- £1,900 monthly stipend for living expenses
- One-off £200 arrival payment
- Return economy-class travel to London
- Visa application and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) costs
- Travel support for visits to visa application centres
Please note that dependents are not covered, and the funding supports individual applicants only.
Fellows are responsible for arranging their own accommodation in London, with Imperial providing helpful suggestions through its student guidance resources.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must:
- Be current PhD students
- Reside in a Least Developed Country (LDC) or Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC) according to the OECD ODA Recipient List
- Have approval from both their home supervisor and an Imperial host supervisor
- Propose a placement between 2 and 4 months within the required timeframe
The fellowship strongly encourages applicants working on research aligned with development priorities in their regions.
How to Apply
The application process is structured to ensure clarity and equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.
Applicants must:
- Review all guidance documents provided on the fellowship webpage
- Secure approval and support from:
- Their current PhD supervisor
- A host supervisor at Imperial
- Prepare the required documents outlined in the programme guidance
- Submit the full application by Friday, 28 November 2025 (23:59)
Contact for enquiries:
📧 [email protected]
APPLY HERE
Review Process
Applications undergo a rigorous review led by the Global Development Hub and Imperial’s International Relations Office. The review panel evaluates:
- Academic merit
- Relevance and feasibility of the proposed placement
- Strength of collaboration between applicant and host supervisor
- Potential development impact of the research
Successful candidates will be notified in early 2026 in preparation for placements beginning in March.
Additional Resources and Guidance
Imperial provides several supporting documents to help applicants and supervisors structure their submissions:
- Guidance for Applicants
- Guidance for Host Supervisors and Departments
- Programme Information and FAQs
These documents ensure transparency and help candidates develop competitive applications.
Conclusion
The Global Development Fellowship stands as a powerful opportunity for emerging researchers from LMICs and LDCs to broaden their academic horizons, build global networks, and contribute meaningfully to development-focused research.
By opening its doors to scholars from across the world, Imperial College London continues to foster inclusive, globally connected research environments.
With the application deadline approaching soon, eligible PhD students are encouraged to submit their materials before 28 November 2025 for consideration.
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