£23,805 Stipend Social Purpose PhD Scholarship
- Organization: Royal Holloway, University of London
- Type: Scholarship
- Location: United Kingdom
- Deadline: October 20, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
Royal Holloway, University of London is funding 10 PhD studentships through its Social Purpose Centre for Doctoral Training, for doctoral research that tackles a real social, health or environmental challenge rather than knowledge for its own sake. Students join a cross-university cohort, work with at least two Royal Holloway supervisors, and spend up to three months on a placement or challenge-led project with a business, public body or charity. Projects can come from any department, from computer science and AI to law, psychology, music and biological sciences. **What you get:** - Full UK-rate MPhil/PhD tuition fees for 3.5 years (full-time equivalent) - A UKRI-rate stipend, £23,805 a year for 2026/27, including London Allowance - A placement or challenge-led project of up to three months with a business, public or third-sector organisation - A supervision team of at least two Royal Holloway supervisors - Cohort training in communicating research and translating findings for policy and practice audiences **What you'll do:** - Carry out a PhD project with a clear social purpose, either your own proposal or one proposed by a supervisor - Complete at least 10 days of training and development activities each year, including Social Purpose CDT cohort training - Take part in on-campus cohort activities, the Doctoral School training programme and its annual conference - Write your thesis in an alternative format that includes at least three sections on your learning and skills development **Key dates:** - Online information events: Thursday 24 September 2026, 1.30pm to 3pm, and Wednesday 30 September 2026, 12.30pm to 2pm - Applications close 20 October 2026 - Interviews for shortlisted applicants: 20 October to 3 November 2026, dates vary by department - Outcomes: the guidance document says decision letters on 6 November 2026; the programme page says applicants are notified on 1 December 2026 - Studentships start 11 January 2027 **More information:** - Applicant guidance document: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/qstfryz1/social-purpose-cdt-applicant-guidance-fv.pdf - Potential supervisor-proposed projects are listed at the bottom of the programme page - Questions go to the relevant Department Postgraduate Lead, listed on the programme page
