Herchel Smith Intellectual Property PhD Scholarships at Queen Mary University of London

The Herchel Smith Intellectual Property PhD Scholarships are funded by the Herchel Smith bequest and administered by the School of Law at Queen Mary University of London, which has run intellectual property research since the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI) was established in 1986. The award covers full tuition fees at either the Home or the International rate and adds an annual maintenance stipend of about 17,000 GBP (est.), reviewed each year and paid in monthly instalments from the start of the programme. Scholarships fund full-time doctoral study only, and holders contribute up to 6 hours per week to research and related tasks for QMIPRI. Eligible projects focus on intellectual property law or its overlap with public and private international law, human rights, cultural heritage, trade, and the sciences and humanities. Applicants must hold or be applying for a PhD offer and meet an IELTS requirement of 7.0 overall with 7.0 in Writing. Because the stipend amount, the number of awards, and the closing date change each cycle, confirm the exact 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official Queen Mary School of Law funding page before you apply.

What's covered

• Tuition fees — Full coverage of PhD tuition fees at either the Home rate or the International rate, so both UK and overseas applicants compete on equal terms.
• Maintenance stipend — Annual living-cost grant of about £17,000 (est.), reviewed yearly and paid in monthly instalments from the start of the academic year.
• Research environment — Membership of the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI) with access to its research seminars, library, and faculty advisors.
• Academic supervision — Structured doctoral supervision by School of Law staff who advise industry, governments, and NGOs on intellectual property matters.
• Researcher development — Access to doctoral training, conferences, and the wider Queen Mary postgraduate research community for the full duration of the PhD.

How to apply

There is no separate scholarship form; you apply for the PhD programme through the Queen Mary online system and indicate that you wish to be considered for Herchel Smith funding.

1. Identify your research area — Confirm your project sits within intellectual property law or its overlap with the sciences or humanities, and contact a potential School of Law supervisor.
2. Apply for the PhD programme — Submit a full-time PhD application through the Queen Mary online application portal, including your research proposal and transcripts.
3. Indicate funding interest — State on your application that you wish to be considered for the Herchel Smith Intellectual Property Scholarships and follow any School of Law funding instructions.
4. Provide language evidence — Upload proof of meeting the IELTS 7.0 (7.0 Writing) requirement or an accepted equivalent qualification.
5. Submit before the deadline — Complete and submit your application before the published January 2026 closing date to be included in the funding round.