Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year. 

Eligibility

The scholarships are open to applicants with Black or Mixed Black Heritage who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (equal to being eligible for home fees status). Graduates with a degree in engineering, any of the physical sciences, mathematics, biological sciences, physiology or medicine may be accepted for a PhD. We will normally only accept applicants with a good 2:1 or 1st class degree from a UK university, or non-UK equivalent.

How to apply:

Please apply directly to this scheme rather than the usual departmental PhD application route.

If you would like support at any stage of the application process, we strongly encourage you to contact us at james-west-scholarships@imperial.ac.uk and we will connect you with the right person for advice and guidance.

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The application consists of…

1.     A 2-page CV in PDF format
Your CV should include:

•educational qualifications (including degree classification)
•any prizes or awards
•relevant experience, such as research projects, internships or relevant work experience
•research output such as publications, conference posters and talks (we note many applicants will not have this experience)

 2.     A 1-page personal statement in PDF format
The personal statement should describe your motivation for undertaking a PhD in Bioengineering and briefly describe the research areas and topics that interest you.

3.     Contact details of two academic referees
Please provide the names and email addresses of two academic references. The email addresses should be professional or institutional email accounts.

How to submit an application to the scheme

To submit your application, please email your CV, personal statement, and references to james-west-scholarships@imperial.ac.uk. 

Be sure to include the word "Application" in the subject line, along with a statement confirming your eligibility for home-fees status. 

 

Please note that a formal email or cover letter is not necessary.

Timeline

The application deadline is on 20 March 2026.

The successful candidates will be informed on or before 17th April 2026.

The earliest start date for this scholarship is 5 October 2026 and the latest start date is 5 July 2027.

This award is for students starting in the academic year 2026–27 and cannot be deferred or transferred. All scholarships are awarded subject to students accepting award Terms and Conditions.

If you have not heard from us by 17th April 2026, please assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.

Selecting a project and supervisor

Please refer to the following links for a list of our:

These resources can help you identify research opportunities within the department. There are two available paths for this scheme:

  1. Direct Contact with Supervisors:
    Applicants are encouraged to reach out to potential supervisors and discuss specific projects before submitting their PhD applications. In your personal statement, you should mention your interest in the particular project and the name of the potential supervisor. Please note that the supervisor may require an interview before accepting you as a student.
  2. Assistance in Finding a Supervisor:
    We will help successful candidates identify the right supervisor for their research. In your personal statement, please indicate the research areas or individuals you are interested in. Candidates utilising this route will not be at a disadvantage during the application process.