Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme 2027

The Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) VC PhD Scholarship is now open (7 October 2026 to 29 January 2027).

The Vice-Chancellor and the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee have endorsed the 2027 version of the programme. Now in its 12th year LJMU invite applications from exceptional students and supervisors to apply with high-quality projects.

LJMU has a reputation for delivering pioneering research that is extending our knowledge and understanding across a diverse range of areas from neuroscience to engineering and public health to criminology. LJMU strongly encourage multidisciplinary research and actively support collaboration with institutions across the world.

As LJMU continue to develop their research and knowledge exchange culture, recruitment of high-quality PhD students is an important part of the LJMU Strategy 2030.  The competition continues to be a highly successful programme supporting excellent students in both our faculties.

A maximum of 20 studentships will be on offer this year.

Please note:
Read the following information before you begin the application.

• Any applications that may include an external organisation in any aspect of the PhD needs to be reviewed by Research and Innovation Services before being submitted or awarded.
• Please ensure full details of the external organisation (full company name, address, webpage and main contact name) and the intended role of this external partner in the PhD is sent to Jane Townend and cc to Peter Leather – a review and feedback will be returned within ten working days of the submission.

• Table of Content
• About Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
• Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship

• Course fees: Paid
• Stipend award: See Doctoral Academy
• Bench fee: Currently £1600 pa, with the award made to the Lead Supervisor to support research costs.

Please note:
Bench fee spend should be made each year and not rolled over. A request for roll over will only be agreed under exceptional circumstances.

Bench fee spend is not managed by finance and so must be monitored by the Lead Supervisor.
Spend should be allocated to the relevant school code.

Requirements for Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship Qualification

In this VC PhD Scholarships 2027 round LJMU will accept applications from both UK and non-UK citizens (home and international fee status) and applications for full-time (course and bench fees plus stipend) as well as part-time (course and bench fees only) studentships who meet the relevant academic requirements to study at PhD level.

Students

• Students currently enrolled on Masters’ programmes (Taught or Research M-level awards) must have completed their course prior to the enrolment onto the PhD at LJMU in August/September 2027.
• Students already enrolled on an LJMU PhD (or any other level 8 programme of study) are not eligible to apply.
• This specific scholarship programme does not support Professional Doctorates or any other non-PhD level 8 registrations.

Supervisors

• Lead supervisors must be permanent staff at Lecturer/Senior Lecturer status or above.
• Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Assistants are not eligible to be Lead Supervisors on this scheme, but they may be included in supervisory teams.
• Academic staff can be a supervisor to more than one studentship applicant but must be the nominated Lead Supervisor to only one applicant.  

Interview date, Process and Venue for Liverpool John Moores University VC PhD Scholarship Scheme PhD Scholarship

Applications will be judged via a two-stage process:

Faculty-based Panel

• Organised by the Faculty Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange in association with the Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.
• The panel will include staff with relevant academic expertise, extensive PGR experience, and will reflect a broad coverage of equality and diversity within the faculty. Academic decisions will be based on the consistent application of the criteria of excellence (see Information on quality and criteria for assessment).

University Panel

• Chaired by Professor George (PVC Research and Knowledge Exchange), Associate Deans for Research and Knowledge Exchange and other members of the University Research and Knowledge Exchange committee who will review the highest ranked applications from each Faculty. Academic decisions will be based on the consistent application of the criteria of excellence associated with the Information on quality and criteria for assessment.

Information on quality and criteria for assessment

Criteria of excellence associated with both the student and the proposed project

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria of excellence:

• The calibre of candidates based on their academic qualifications and their academic research achievements, outputs, experience, skills and abilities (double weighted).
• The relevant experience, achievements, and quality of the supervisory team to lead and guide the project.
• Quality of the research project, including:
  • Clarity and quality of the “Lay Summary” of the proposed project
  • Clarity and quality of the proposed research studies
  • Clarity, appropriateness, and relevance of the PhD training plan
  • Clarity and relevance of the statement about the connection/link with Faculty or University Research and Knowledge Exchange strategies, plans or priorities within LJMU.

Application outcome

All applicants and their lead supervisor will be contacted with the outcome of their application (whether successful or not) by 15 April 2027.

• Successful awardees will be expected to complete the formal online PGR application form which will then enable formal registration for a PhD.
• The whole application process must be completed in time for the August/September 2026 fixed Doctoral Academy enrolment point, or the offer will be withdrawn.

Please note:
Do not complete this form until the outcome of the VC studentship process is known.

Check also:
Swedish Institute Scholarships 2027
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

All applications should include the following content details:

• Student information and details.
• “Lay Summary” - up to 250 words to communicate the broad rationale, aims, objectives and planned outcomes for a non-specialised audience.
• The specific “Proposal” for their research work and training plan.
• A “Statement of link” between the proposed project and the University Strategy 2030, or relevant Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan.
• Equalities and Opportunities Monitoring form should be sent direct to [email protected] and not via the supervisor.

Please note:
No other material is expected to accompany the application. If additional material has been added it will not be included during the assessment.

Submission process

Application forms for should be submitted on behalf of the student, by the lead supervisor by 5pm on 29 January 2027 to [email protected]. 

• No further applications will be considered once the 5pm deadline has passed.
• The application recognises final approval from the supervisor who will submit the form.
• It is recommended that applications are completed jointly as a starting point for collaboration.
• Application forms without an identified supervisor will not be accepted.

Please note:
Equal Opportunities monitoring form should be submitted by the student applicant (not the supervisor) directly to [email protected] ensuring their name is at the top of the form and by no later than 5pm on 29 January 2027.

Applying for a PhD scholarship

• The final application must be submitted to [email protected] by the Lead Supervisor.
• Download application form template (Word, 76.6KB)

Equal opportunities form

• Equal Opportunities monitoring form (Word, 69.4KB) should be submitted by the student applicant (not the supervisor) directly to [email protected] ensuring their name is at the top of the form and by no later than 5pm on 29 January 2027.
• Download Equal Opportunities monitoring form (Word, 69.4KB)

For more informaton, visit Liverpool John Moores University scholarship webpage.