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Global Grand Challenges Studentships 2027 Entry

Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) - a new initiative to support excellent early career researchers to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal.

Postgraduate Scholarships
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Summary

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

Durham University is delighted to launch The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) which are designed to support excellent early career researchers wishing to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)

This call is for research aligned to ‘SDG4: Quality Education’ for projects that aim to address issues associated with ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Amount

Payment of full yearly tuition fees (home and overseas rate)

Tax-free yearly stipend [UKRI-matched; 2026 entry was £21,805]
Research Training Support Grant

£5,000 - for the duration of the PhD programme
Year of Entry

October 2027

Please note the studentships cannot normally be deferred beyond January 2028 or commence before October 2027
Number of awards available 1 Studentship for a Home Fees scholar and 1 Studentship for an International Fees scholar
Level of study PhD 
Mode of study Full-time
Programmes All academic programmes - multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary projects and/or supervision are particularly are welcome especially when these straddle Faculties
Duration 3.5 years (full time equivalent)

Eligibility

  • 1st or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or relevant comparable experience;
  • A strong academic record and research potential;
  • A research proposal for a high-quality and manageable PhD project that can be completed within the funded period of 3.5 years, with potential impact in the areas of SDG4: Quality Education;
  • Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals and supervision are encouraged;
  • International applicants must meet the University's entry requirements (e.g. IELTS requirements) with the potential for an 'unconditional academic offer' by the deadline.

You are not eligible to apply if you meet one of the following:

  • are currently a registered doctoral student;
  • are in receipt of/or expecting to be in receipt of any other funding, e.g., from a national government, research council or charity;
  • are expecting to be in full-time work during the term of the studentship, if your studentship application is successful.

This is a student-led competition, and the student is encouraged to develop their proposal in collaboration with an identified academic supervisor. Note that this is not a supervisor-led competition (e.g. a supervisor should not submit the same proposal across multiple students and the student should represent a perfect match for the proposed research based on their prior training/experience).

How to apply

  1. Apply for a course

    Submit an academic application for your chosen doctoral programme stating that you wish to be considered for the Global Grand Challenge Studentship Scheme.

     

     

     

    Durham University Applicant Portal

  2. Submit additional documentation

    Candidates wishing to apply for a Global Grand Challenge Studentship must complete the standard university application process (including all required supporting information such as the CV, academic references, transcripts of qualifications) and either

     

      • i) submit any other supporting documentation such as the nomination form, to their home Department/School by 8th February 2027, 

    or

      • ii) submit the application form for this scheme as an attachment within the SITS application process (Appendix 1). The route taken here may depend on whether the student is also / already being considered for another funded studentship and therefore whether they are able to add additional documents to the SITS platform.

     

    Application deadline:

    8 February 2027 by 17:00 GMT

     

    When candidates will hear the outcome of their application:

    Week commencing 5th April 2027

     

    Applications will be considered on:

    1. Qualifications and references;
    2. Fit with SDG4: Quality Education;
    3. Research proposal;
    4. Research environment and training.

  3. Ask us

    For further information or advice please contact your proposed academic department or school.

     

Guidance

 

 

Durham University makes every effort to ensure that the information published or contained on its website is accurate. However, the University cannot guarantee the information may not subsequently be altered owing to circumstances beyond the University's reasonable control. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) changes in Government policy or change of law. Whilst any changes will be incorporated into the University's website any person wishing to clarify the details of a particular scholarship/s should contact the University at scholarships.advice@durham.ac.uk.

 

Get in touch

If you have any questions about whether you are eligible for a scholarship or the application process, get in touch with our Scholarships and Student Funding Office:

Scholarships and Student Funding Office

Durham University

Palatine Centre

Stockton Road

DH1 3LE, UK