Begin your academic journey in the UK! Exciting news—the Herchel Smith PhD Scholarships in Intellectual Property are now open for applications. Below is a detailed overview of this scholarship opportunity, including benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
The Herchel Smith Scholarships 2026–2027 at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) are fully funded awards designed for outstanding international students pursuing a PhD in Intellectual Property Law. Each scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides an annual stipend of approximately £17,000 to support living expenses.
This prestigious program seeks to nurture scholars who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and a strong potential to make significant contributions to the field of intellectual property (IP) law. Candidates whose research lies at the intersection of IP law and other disciplines—such as science, technology, humanities, or culture—are especially encouraged to apply.
The School of Law at Queen Mary University is ranked among the UK’s top 10 for research quality. Faculty members include globally recognized experts who advise governments, corporations, and international organizations. Successful recipients will also contribute to research activities at the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Law Research Institute (QMIPRI), undertaking up to six hours of research support per week.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: Queen Mary University of London
- Study Location: London, United Kingdom
- Program Duration: 3 years (full-time) or 6 years (part-time)
- Application Deadline: March 26, 2026
Research Focus Areas
Applicants are encouraged to propose research in areas including (but not limited to):
- Intellectual property and international or private international law
- IP and cultural/scientific heritage
- IP and human rights
- The doctrine of functionality in IP law
- IP law and art regulation
- IP, international trade, and competition law
- TRIPS agreement and regional/national law (e.g., European Patent Convention)
- IP transactions and licensing (e.g., broadcasting rights)
- The philosophy of intellectual property
- Property rights, exhaustion, and enforcement
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of the Herchel Smith Scholarship will receive:
- Full coverage of tuition fees
- Annual living stipend of approximately £17,000 (subject to annual review), paid regularly throughout the academic year starting September 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English (IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in Writing and 5.5 in other components, or equivalent TOEFL/other test scores)
- Be citizens of any country worldwide
- Be new applicants commencing their PhD studies in September 2026
- Propose research related to intellectual property law or its interdisciplinary connections
- Hold strong academic qualifications relevant to their chosen field
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates (plus translations, if applicable)
- English language test results
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- A personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) explaining your interest in IP law, previous research experience, and any published or pending academic work
- A detailed research proposal, including:
- Proposed project title and supervisor (if applicable)
- Research group or field
- Proposed start date
- Two academic references
- Proof of scholarship funding (if available)
- Professional membership details (if relevant, e.g., Bar or GMC registration)
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for the Herchel Smith PhD Scholarship:
- Submit an online PhD application through the QMUL portal before the scholarship deadline.
- Register, log in, and complete all required sections carefully.
- In the “Funding” section of the application form, select “I will fund my studies by other means” and clearly state that you are applying for the School of Law Herchel Smith Scholarship.
- Submit your application once all details are complete.
- For funding-related questions, contact Mr. Gareth Skehan, PhD Admissions Administrator, via email at skehan@qmul.ac.uk.
Additional Notes
- Applicants are not required to contact a supervisor before submitting their application, although they may list one if preferred.
- The Research Admissions Director will assess all applications and assign them to appropriate academic reviewers.
- If you have already submitted your PhD application without indicating interest in funding, email Mr. Skehan before the deadline to confirm you wish to be considered for the Herchel Smith award.
- Applications without this confirmation email will not be considered for the scholarship.
Official Website
For full details and application access, visit the official Queen Mary University website:
