Imperial College London is currently accepting applications for the Global Development Fellowship 2025-2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it
About Imperial College London Global Development Fellowship
Opportunity Details
The Global Development Fellowship intends to support high impact, short term placements for PhD students from Least Developed and Lower Middle-Income Countries, to spend time at Imperial College London.
Benefits of Imperial College London Global Development Fellowship
The Fund will provide:
- A monthly stipend of £1,900
- A one-off £200 payment on arrival in the UK
- Return economy class travel
- Payment for the standard visa application and Biometrics Residence Permit
- Financial support for travel to the visa application centres
Please note, only individuals are eligible for the funding, dependents will not be supported.
Students are expected to arrange their own accommodation in London for the duration of their stay. Suggestions for potential accommodation options can be found in the student guidance document.
Imperial College London Global Development Fellowship Requirements
Participants must:
- Be a current doctoral student.
- Be a passport holder and be a permanent resident of a Least Developed (LDC) or Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC), as specified by the OECD ODA Recipients List. Please note, this does not include Upper Middle Income Countries. *
- Be currently studying for your PhD at in institution in an LDC or LMIC country.
- Be over 12 months into their PhD at the time the placement takes place.
- Have a Letter of Support from an academic host supervisor at Imperial. The supervisor should ensure that the Letter of Support is signed by the Head of Department.
- Have a Letter of Recommendation from their own supervisor.
The Letter of Recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor should include recognition that the student possess a sufficient level of English to effectively undertake the placement.
While formal proof of English language proficiency is not required, we expect students to possess a proficient level of English that enables them to fully engage and undertake the placement effectively. This is at the discretion of the Imperial supervisor.
You are not eligible for a Global Development Fellowship if you:
- Hold dual British citizenship
- Are a permanent resident of a country that is not considered a Least Developed or Lower Middle Income Country
- Are currently studying for your PhD in a country that is not considered to be an LDC or LMIC.
Application Date and Process
To complete the application, applicants will need to provide:
- Details on background to show how they meet the eligibility criteria (included in application form).
- A letter of recommendation from the home institution, preferably from the PhD supervisor or advisor, addressing the applicants’ skills and suitability for the placement. This letter should also include confirmation that the applicant possesses a sufficient level of English, to carry out the placement.
- A letter of support from the hosting supervisor at Imperial in the proposed host department/institute detailing training and support that will be provided. This must be signed by the Head of Department.
- Answer the following questions (in the application form):
- Please provide a ‘layperson’ summary of your PhD work (200 words):
- What will you do during your research placement and how will it add value to your PhD? (500 words):
- Please explain how you will take advantage of this opportunity at Imperial to enhance your personal and professional skills, competencies and networks (250 words):
The letter of recommendation and letter of support must be emailed to [email protected]
Application Deadline
28 November, 2025
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Imperial College London Global Development Fellowship
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