Imperial College London is offering 50 President’s PhD Scholarships for students starting in 2027/28. They’re fully funded, open to applicants of any nationality, and unlike most studentships you bring your own project. If you’ve got a dementia research idea and an Imperial supervisor willing to back it, this is a strong route in.
Applications are considered in three rounds. The first closes at 23:59 UK time on Monday 2 November 2026, with later rounds on 11 January and 1 March 2027.
What the scholarship covers
Each scholarship runs for three and a half years and pays your tuition fees in full, a stipend of £27,036 a year at the 2027/28 rate, and a £2,000 a year consumables budget for the first three years. Scholars also get a programme of cohort events and training through Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute, so you’ll get to know President’s Scholars from across the College, not just your own lab.
The scholarship can be held full time or part time.
Who can apply
The bar is set high. You’ll need a first class undergraduate or integrated Master’s degree (or be on track for one), or, if you didn’t get a first, a distinction in a standalone Master’s. If you’re weighing up a Master’s for exactly that reason, our guide to choosing a Master’s in dementia walks through the options.
There is some flexibility. Departments can put someone forward as a special case where there were extenuating circumstances behind their grades, and there’s a ring-fenced allocation for candidates who have come through non-traditional academic or career routes but show strong research potential. If either applies to you, talk to the department before you apply.
The scheme is for new PhD applicants only, so current Imperial PhD students can’t apply. There are no nationality restrictions, although some departments may not be able to take international candidates, so check that early.
Find your supervisor first
This is the bit to start on now. Before you apply, you must have a supervisor at Imperial who has agreed to take on your project, and each supervisor can only have one President’s Scholar at a time. Imperial publishes a list of supervisors who are unavailable, so check it before you get attached to anyone.
Imperial has a large neuroscience and dementia community, including the UK Dementia Research Institute centre and the Department of Brain Sciences, so there’s plenty of choice. If you’re still working out what kind of doctorate suits you, our piece on the different types of doctorate is a good place to start.
How to apply
There’s no separate scholarship form. You apply for a PhD place through Imperial’s online admissions system, select the President’s PhD Scholarship option in the funding section of the additional questions tab, and your department nominates you on merit.
Imperial asks for a few things specific to the scheme:
- A two-page personal statement: page one on why you’re applying to Imperial and the scholarship, page two your research proposal. You’re encouraged to write in the first person.
- Two academic referees, such as a personal tutor or dissertation supervisor. Your proposed PhD supervisor can’t be one of them.
- A start date between 1 August and 1 November 2027.
Departments draw up shortlists, then a College Selection Panel makes the final decisions on academic excellence and research potential. If you aren’t selected, you’ll still be considered for a standard PhD place.
Deadlines and decisions
- Apply by 23:59 UK time on 2 November 2026, hear by 31 January 2027
- Apply by 23:59 UK time on 11 January 2027, hear by 15 April 2027
- Apply by 23:59 UK time on 1 March 2027, hear by 31 May 2027
Full details, including the unavailable supervisors list, are on the Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships page. Questions about the scholarship go to student.funding@imperial.ac.uk, and questions about the application itself to your department’s admissions team.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-doctoral/grants-scholarships/presidents-phd/)