ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship in UK 2026

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.

If you want to explore other opportunities alongside this scholarship, you can check fully funded scholarships in Australia for international students and fully funded scholarships in United Kingdom for international students for more options in both countries.

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)

For students interested in other research opportunities with similar timelines, fully funded latest scholarships in 2026 Europe provides additional options across the continent.

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)

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

Additional Considerations

• 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

• Eligibility is open to both domestic and international postgraduate researchers

For students interested in other joint degree programs, fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students offers another perspective on international research collaborations.

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.

For students interested in criminology and security studies, fully funded scholarships in Germany for international students provides another option with strong research programs in these fields.

What the Scholarship Covers

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

For UoP as Home Institution (United Kingdom)

• 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

For students comparing funding packages across countries, list of all open scholarships in Asia provides additional perspectives on research scholarship benefits.

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

For students interested in other international study experiences, fully funded scholarships in Türkiye for international students offers another option for cross-cultural academic exposure.

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 (Australia)

• 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 (United Kingdom)

• 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.

For students interested in other application processes, fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for all nationalities provides additional examples of research scholarship applications.

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

• Valuable international research experience that sets you apart

• The opportunity to work with leading academics in your field

• Exposure to different research cultures and methodologies

For students interested in other career-enhancing opportunities, fully funded scholarships in Malaysia for international students offers another perspective on international research training.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Choose Your Home Institution Wisely: Decide whether ECU or UoP is the better fit for your research interests

• Apply to Only One: Remember, applying to both institutions will lead to disqualification

• Find the Right Project: Look for research projects explicitly advertised for this scholarship

• Secure Supervisor Endorsement: Obtain support from your Principal Supervisor before applying

• Prepare Early: Start gathering documents and developing your research proposal well in advance

• Check Deadlines: The application window closes on 22 February 2026 – submit early

• Review Terms: Understand the scholarship conditions for your chosen home institution

Final Thoughts

The ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship offers a remarkable opportunity for doctoral researchers to earn a dual degree from respected universities in Australia and the United Kingdom. With joint supervision, a mandatory international placement, and comprehensive financial support, this program provides a truly global research experience.

The first round of scholarships prioritizes research in defence, cyber security, and criminology, with specific focus at UoP on the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Applications open on 10 November 2025 and close on 22 February 2026.

If you are an aspiring researcher looking to build an international network, access world-class facilities, and graduate with a globally recognized qualification from two countries, this scholarship should be at the top of your list.

Good luck with your application

Apply Now

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

Apply for ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship 2026