Call for James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships at University of Glasgow 2026-27 is open now!!!
The James McCune Smith Scholarships fund Black UK domiciled students to undertake PhD research at the University in any research area in which we can offer supervision. They provide an enhanced experience through external mentors, placements, leadership training, community-building activities and networking opportunities.
Applications are now open for 2026 entry and you can submit an Expression of Interest if you are interested in applying.
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They will invite shortlisted candidates to interview in March and confirm decisions by the end of the month. In terms of references, you need not submit these by 31 January and as long as the application is submitted and two referees are named, an automated email will be sent to the referee following submission of the application. You also have to submit the regular online PhD application form and register on the scholarship portal by 31 January. The expression of interest form allows us to contact you to offer support with the application process.
Those candidates who are invited for an interview will receive information on the interview structure and format and tips/advice before being interviewed via Zoom. Successful candidates will then be invited to visit Glasgow and meet their supervisor if they wish.
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This is not required for research study in the College of Medicine, Veterinary or Life Sciences or in the Schools of Physics & Astronomy and Mathematics & Statistics. In many other areas, research proposals are required. Check with your proposed supervisor whether a research proposal is required in your chosen area.
Their preference is to build a community of scholars on site in Glasgow. Whether or not research can be conducted remotely will need to be agreed with the supervisor and is only possible for some projects and is unlikely to be the case for most projects in Science & Engineering and Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences (i.e. those which are lab-based and experimental etc). Even if this is possible, there will still be a requirement to come to Glasgow for events/training and the placement aspect may need to be conducted in-person.
It is really important to them that you feel part of a community of researchers at Glasgow, so we do want to bring the Scholars together to meet one another.
Benefits
- The funding covers stipend (estimated at £19,795 for 2025 entry) and fees for up to four years, as well as providing a training grant of £3,000 per year
- You’ll receive:
- a six-month placement with industry, a government or non-governmental organisation or other employer
- mentorship from outside academia to provide a broader perspective and network, in addition to the usual academic supervisors
- leadership training and community building activities
- support for conferences and other networking opportunities
Eligibilities
- To apply, participants must be UK-domiciled Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed White and Black Caribbean, Mixed White and Black African, or other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean, or Black Other).
- Applying does not prevent participants from applying for other schemes to obtain a funded place.
Application Process
- Look at the research interests of staff at the University of Glasgow so that you can suggest a research area and a supervisor. If you can’t find a supervisor they are happy to help you.
- Submit a completed Expression of Interest form so that they can assist you in your application.
- Follow the application process, beginning with contacting potential supervisors. When contacting a potential supervisor, be sure to state that you wish to apply for a James McCune Smith Scholarship as one of the options for funding. The topic of research for a James McCune Smith Scholarship is decided by the applicant in conjunction with their potential supervisor. In those areas in which you are required to submit a research proposal, please follow the Guidance for Applicants and Research Proposals.
- Submit your personal statement via our Scholarship Portal. The personal statement should be up to 500 words on your research interest and why you wish to be a James McCune Smith Scholar.
- You also need to submit an application on the University’s MyCampus system. Please name the James McCune Smith Scholarship as one of the funding options under Finance in the online full application. See Applying for a programme for more information.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 (16 Days Remaining)
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