Overview The Global Development Fellowship at Imperial College London is designed to enable high-impact, short-term academic placements for PhD students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The programme provides emerging researchers with the opportunity to advance their work, deepen collaborations, and contribute to global scientific progress through a structured research experience hosted by Imperial College London. For the 2025–26 cycle, applications are open until 28 November 2025 at 23:59. Successful fellows will begin their placements in March 2026, with all activities completed by 31 July 2026. Programme Purpose and Vision The fellowship aims to strengthen research capacity by giving talented PhD students access to Imperial’s world-class facilities, academic expertise and collaborative networks. The initiative aligns with the mission of Imperial’s Global Development Hub, which works to amplify research and education impact in LMICs and LDCs. By fostering partnerships between Imperial academics and scholars from across the Global South, the programme supports a more inclusive and globally connected research ecosystem. Past fellows have contributed to a range of impactful projects across engineering, medicine, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary innovation. Insights from the 2023–24 and 2024–25 cohorts demonstrate the transformative outcomes that these short-term placements can generate for both the fellows and their home institutions. Funding and Support The Global Development Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support for each selected student. This includes: A monthly stipend of £1,900 for living expenses during the placement. A one-off £200 arrival allowance upon reaching the United Kingdom. Return economy-class travel to and from London. Coverage of the standard visa application and Biometric Residence Permit. Funding for travel required to attend visa application centres. The fellowship is awarded to individual students only. Support for dependents is not included. Fellows are responsible for arranging their own accommodation in London during their stay. Imperial offers guidance and suggestions regarding accommodation options in the official applicant guidance document. Eligibility Requirements The fellowship is open to students who meet the following criteria: They must be current PhD candidates based in a country listed under the OECD’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) classification for LDCs and LMICs. They must obtain the support of both their home PhD supervisor and an Imperial College London host supervisor. Their proposed placement must align with the expertise of the host department or research group at Imperial. The planned visit must last between two and four months, with a start date in March 2026 and completion no later than 31 July 2026. Application Process Applicants are required to submit a formal application through Imperial’s International Relations Office. The application must include: A detailed statement of research objectives for the placement. Evidence of support from both supervisors. A clear outline of how the placement will contribute to their doctoral work and broader development impact. Supporting documentation as indicated in the programme’s official guidance. All applications are reviewed based on academic merit, potential for impact, alignment with Imperial’s research strengths, and the strength of the proposed collaboration. Role of Host Supervisors and Departments Imperial’s host supervisors play a central role in the fellowship’s success. They are responsible for: Providing academic mentorship and research supervision. Ensuring access to departmental resources and facilities. Assisting with integration into research teams and networks. Supporting the student with necessary administrative processes. Guidance for host supervisors is available in a dedicated programme document issued by the Global Development Hub. Programme Administration and Contact The Global Development Fellowship is administered by Imperial College London’s Global Development Hub, which oversees programme coordination, funding distribution, support for fellows, and monitoring of placement outcomes. For enquiries, applicants and supervisors may contact:gdhfellowsfund@imperial.ac.uk Commitment to Global Engagement Through initiatives such as the Global Development Fellowship, Imperial College London reinforces its commitment to international collaboration, equitable research partnerships, and capacity strengthening in countries where scientific advancement can drive meaningful development outcomes. By bringing emerging talent to London, the programme nurtures the next generation of global researchers and contributes to shared progress across borders. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.