Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship in Qatar Scholarship 2026

ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship: A Global Research Opportunity

A new and exciting opportunity has opened for aspiring researchers. Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia and the University of Portsmouth (UoP) in the United Kingdom have established a Joint PhD Program, offering a unique chance to earn a dual doctoral degree from two respected institutions.

Under this five-year scheme commencing in 2026, each university will offer one scholarship per year. Successful candidates will benefit from joint supervision and access to the research expertise, infrastructure, and support services of both universities, gaining invaluable international research experience.

Important Dates at a Glance

• Applications Open: 10 November 2025

• Applications Close: 22 February 2026

• Earliest Start Date: By July 2026 (ECU as home institution)

• Eligibility: Open to domestic and international postgraduate researchers

Eligibility Guidelines

To be considered for this prestigious scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an offer of admission for a PhD or Integrated PhD research course at their chosen home institution (either ECU or UoP).

• Apply for a research project explicitly advertised for this scholarship.

• Obtain endorsement from their Principal Supervisor.

• Be able to commence the course and scholarship by the required start date (by July 2026 for ECU applicants).

Applicants who have submitted an admission application before the scholarship closing date but have not yet received a final decision may be considered for a conditional scholarship offer.

Important Note: ECU and UoP will each advertise scholarships separately. Applicants may apply to only one institution. Applying to both will lead to disqualification.

Discipline Priorities

While open to all disciplines, priority for the first round of scholarships will be given to research conducted in the following fields:

• Defence

• Cyber Security

• Criminology

At the University of Portsmouth, the first-round scholarships will be allocated to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Staff from this faculty will develop PhD project proposals in areas of shared strategic significance.

What the Scholarship Covers

The benefits vary slightly depending on your home institution, but both provide comprehensive support.

For UoP as Home Institution (UK):

• Tuition Fees: Covered at the UK Home rate for 3.5 years.

• Living Stipend: An annual stipend in line with UKRI rates for 3.5 years.

• Research Allowance: A total research allowance of £4,500 to cover the 3.5-year registration period.

• Placement Expenses: Up to £3,000 to contribute to travel, visa, and health insurance costs during the mandatory year abroad at ECU.

• Note: Dependants' costs are not covered.

• Additional Support: Recipients may be eligible to apply for external support from the UK government's Turing Scheme to further support travel to ECU.

For ECU as Home Institution (Australia):

Applicants applying through ECU should refer to the ECU Higher Degree by Research Conditions of Award for detailed information on their scholarship package. Typically, this includes a tuition fee waiver and a living stipend.

What is a Dual Award PhD?

This program offers a truly global research experience.

• Joint Supervision: You will be jointly supervised by academics from both universities. Your first supervisor will be based at your 'home' institution.

• International Placement: You will spend a minimum of 12 months abroad at your 'host' institution, where your second supervisor is based.

• Dual Qualification: You will register at both universities and, if successful, receive a PhD degree from both Edith Cowan University and the University of Portsmouth.

• Requirements: You must pass the annual monitoring, review, and final viva voce examination requirements of both institutions.

How to Apply

The application process differs depending on which university you choose as your home institution.

If applying with ECU as your home institution:

• Apply through ECU's competitive scholarship round, which typically opens in September.

• You must apply for a research project that is explicitly advertised for this Joint PhD scholarship.

• Ensure you obtain endorsement from your Principal Supervisor.

• The scholarship application portal will be open from 10 November 2025 to 22 February 2026.

If applying with UoP as your home institution:

• Apply directly via UoP's scholarship process once opportunities are advertised on their scholarship webpages.

• For the first round, projects will be advertised within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

• The successful UoP applicant will be expected to start their course in April 2026.

For detailed step-by-step application instructions, please visit the official scholarship pages of your chosen university.

Terms and Conditions

• ECU applicants: Refer to the ECU Higher Degree by Research Conditions of Award.

• UoP applicants: Visit the University of Portsmouth's scholarship webpage for full details.

Why Apply?

This joint PhD program offers more than just a degree. It provides:

• A chance to build a strong international research network.

• Access to world-class facilities and expertise in two countries.

• A globally recognized qualification that enhances career prospects in academia, research, and beyond.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

For complete and official information, including how to apply, visit the University of Portsmouth's dedicated Dual Award PhD page:

Apply Now: ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship

Start preparing your application today and take the first step toward a transformative research experience spanning the UK and Australia.