This route is open to exceptional applicants proposing their own original research projects and seeking to join QBS in September 2025 or January 2026.

About the Scholarship

This prestigious award supports 3.25 years of full-time PhD study, including:

• Full tuition fees (Home or International)
• A generous living stipend
• Funding for advanced research methods training
• Opportunities for teaching or research support (6 hours/week during term)

The additional quarter-year of funding ensures alignment with major UK doctoral schemes and provides time for enhanced skills development.

Research Focus and Alignment

We strongly encourage applicants to align their proposed research with one or more of Queen’s Business School’s strategic research themes, including:

• Health and Human Development
• Ethical Leadership
• Sustainable Reporting
• Economic History
• Financial Technologies
• Decision Analytics
• Social Entrepreneurship

Projects that contribute to these themes or demonstrate a compelling strategic fit with QBS expertise and supervision capacity will be particularly welcomed.

Who Can Apply?

We welcome applications from:

• New candidates with original research proposals
• Applicants resubmitting revised proposals from previous external competitions (e.g., DfE, NINE DTP)
• Home and International applicants across all core QBS disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Secure support from a QBS academic supervisor before applying
• Submit an original, applicant-led research proposal
• Not already hold a doctorate or be in receipt of equivalent funding
• Not have completed more than one year of full-time PhD study

Find a supervisor:

🔗 QBS Academic Staff Directory

🔗 Find a PhD Supervisor

 

How to Apply

Applicants must complete two steps:

1. Apply to the QBS PhD Programme via the Queen’s University Belfast portal: 👉 Apply Here
2. Submit your scholarship application by email to Louise Moss (l.moss@qub.ac.uk) by 20 June 2025, including:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• Two academic and/or professional references
• Full academic transcripts
• Personal statement
• Research proposal (max 2,000 words)

Proposals must be applicant-led and demonstrate originality, feasibility, and impact. Alignment with QBS research themes will strengthen your application.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications will be reviewed by members of the QBS School Research Committee using a transparent and competitive process. The assessment is weighted equally:

• 50%: Research Proposal – originality, clarity, impact, methodology, feasibility
• 50%: Academic and Professional Background – qualifications, personal statement, and reference strength

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 20 June 2025
• Notification of Outcome: 18 July 2025
• Programme Start: September 2025 or January 2026

 

Media

Any questions, please contact: Dr Juliet Hassard (Director of Postgraduate Research) – j.hassard@qub.ac.uk