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S&E Doctoral Research Studentships 2024/25 for Underrepresented Groups

S&E Doctoral Research Studentships 2026/27 for Underrepresented Groups

The Queen Mary Faculty of Science and Engineering is inviting applications for Doctoral Research Studentships from UK candidates from underrepresented groups (e.g., Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) in research in the UK. Up to 3 PhD studentships (in addition to many 
other opportunities across our schools in S&E) are being offered and will be awarded on the basis of the excellence of the applicant. 

The proposed research topic must fit within the strategic research areas and remits in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Queen Mary. Studentships will be awarded to the most outstanding candidates applying for a full-time or part-time PhD programme starting in autumn 2025. Awards are tenable for up to 3.5 years, and cover tuition fees and a maintenance stipend at the QMUL rate (c. £21,874 p.a. full-time, £10,937 part-time for 2025/26; and 2026/27 rates tbc).

Eligibility
In order to be considered for an award, applicants should have (or expect to have by the end of the 2025/26 academic year) a master’s degree or equivalent in an appropriate field (that includes also bachelor’s degrees with research-oriented projects or thesis). You must be a UK permanent resident from an underrepresented group in research, e.g., Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic (with the priority for this round given to those from Black origin) and eligible to pay home student fees. You will also be considered for other studentships if indicated in the application.

How to apply 
You are strongly advised to find an appropriate academic supervisor and to work together on the application materials consisting of your online application form, CV, Research Proposal, and Personal Statement. Please use 11pt arial font with 2cm page margins. The A4 page limits are 2 each for the CV and Research Proposal, and 1 for the Personal Statement. You should apply via the QMUL online portal by 17:00 on 28th January 2026. Please clearly indicate that you would like your application to be considered for the “Science and Engineering Underrepresented Group Doctoral Research Studentships” on the opening line of your Personal Statement.

How your application will be assessed
Your application will be considered and ranked by a School selection panel. Selected applications will then be considered by the Faculty Panel with a broad range of subject specialists and expertise in Doctoral Training. The School panel will evaluate applications 
using the following criteria with equal weighting:

  • Quality of proposal – i.e., the significance, originality, and motivation of the proposed 
    research; its underpinning ideas, aims, and research questions; the research design, 
    methodology; the suitability of the proposal for doctoral research. This also includes 
    the feasibility of the project, i.e., the project’s timeline; the identification of training 
    needs; justification of any fieldwork and study visits; and fit with the expertise and 
    interests of the named supervisory team
  • Excellence of applicant – i.e., previous academic achievements in relevant subject 
    areas; any relevant professional/practitioner experience (particularly for applicants with 
    non-standard academic trajectories); and relevant knowledge, skills, and/or training for 
    the proposed research

Offers will be made to successful candidates in March 2026, to be accepted or declined within one week. Please note that these awards cannot be deferred.

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