Unlock Your Future: EIT PhD Scholarships 2026 to Study at Oxford
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Are you an exceptional graduate student ready to drive real-world innovation? Applications for the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Graduate Scholarships for doctoral (DPhil/PhD) study at the University of Oxford are now open. These fully funded opportunities empower brilliant minds like you to tackle global challenges while collaborating with world-leading experts in state-of-the-art facilities. Get ready—this is your chance to transform bold ideas into impactful breakthroughs. Read on for details.
🎓 EIT Scholarship Summary
Location: University of Oxford, UK
Sponsor: Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) + University of Oxford
Study Level: Doctoral (DPhil/PhD)
Target Group: Exceptional graduate candidates globally
Fields of Focus: Projects span EIT’s four “Humane Endeavours”:
Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Clean Energy Generation & Storage
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
Eligible candidates may also come from disciplines like AI, economics, engineering, chemistry, biology, medicine, mathematics, computer science, law, microbiology, and plant sciences .
Value & Coverage: Full funding, including tuition, living stipend, and research support. (Undergraduate equivalent includes full tuition, living expenses, and research costs; graduate coverage is similarly comprehensive) .
Duration: Length of a full DPhil program (typically 3–4 years)
Application Deadlines:
Applications Open: 1 September 2025
First Deadline: 1 October 2025 (first round of conditional scholarship decisions in December 2025; finalists submit Oxford application)
Second Deadline: 1 December 2025 (second round decisions in January 2026; finalists submit Oxford application)
Final Deadline: 1 February 2026 (final scholarships decided in March 2026; finalists submit Oxford application)
Announcement of Scholars: April 2026
Start Date: October 2026
Eligible To: Graduate applicants worldwide who meet the University of Oxford’s entry requirements and align with EIT’s project goals.
🧭 Scholarship Overview
Graduate Ellison Scholars will participate in fully funded DPhil programs anchored in EIT research projects that address humankind’s most pressing challenges via cutting-edge technology.
Scholars will work directly on impactful EIT projects, contributing to the humane endeavours mentioned above .
Multidisciplinary collaboration with world-class researchers, mentors, and EIT Faculty of Fellows will define your experience .
You will not just conduct research—you will be part of a pipeline from discovery to societal deployment, with opportunities for real-world impact and possibly commercialization .
EIT Graduate Scholars will work on PhD projects that directly contribute to the research and innovation programs at EIT. As such, they will span one or more of the following Humane Endeavours, which provide focus areas for what EIT is trying to solve:
Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Clean Energy Generation & Storage
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
They will bring their relevant skills, experiences or interests in areas such as AI & data, economics & policy, generative biology, robotics, engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, mathematics, medicine or law into their PhD projects.
📂 Please find the list of EIT PhD projects and the potential supervisors under each individual project here.
💰 Benefits
Full financial support: Tuition, living stipend, and research support covered—comparable to coverage for undergraduates .
Elite mentorship and network: Guidance from leading figures such as Dr David Agus (EIT CEO), Sir John Bell, Sir Tony Blair, and more .
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Work alongside a cohort of future innovators across diverse projects and disciplines .
Access to world-class infrastructure: EIT’s Oxford campus—featuring labs for robotics, genomics, high-performance computing, IoT, and drug design—opens in full by 2027 .
Post-graduation support and network: Your connection to EIT continues, fostering impact and mentorship beyond your degree .
✅ Eligibility Criteria
University of Oxford Requirements:
Have—or be on track to receive—the required qualifications for your chosen DPhil program.
Meet expected academic grade thresholds (e.g., first-class degree or a minimum GPA of 3.7/4).
Fulfill Oxford’s English language requirements .
EIT Selection Criteria:
You must demonstrate excellence across these areas:
Alignment – Show how you will meaningfully contribute to your chosen EIT project through research experience and a well-matched proposal .
Excellence – Exhibit outstanding academic performance, awards, scholarships, participation in major projects, or lab/field contributions .
Innovation – Demonstrate creativity through publications, patents, interdisciplinary research, or recognition for technological achievements .
Collaboration – Evidence teamwork via co-authorship, multi-institution studies, committee involvement, or conference organization .
Tenacity – Show resilience in challenging research contexts, persistence in securing funding, or commitment to a field through sustained contributions .
Integrity – Provide references or roles indicating ethical conduct, accuracy in applications, and responsible leadership .
📝 Application Procedure
Begin your application on EIT’s online portal—you can save and return at any time before submission. 👉🏻 Access the application portal here
Prepare and submit: CV, research proposal aligned to an EIT project, academic transcripts, English proficiency proof, and strong references emphasizing EIT criteria.
Meet Oxford separately: Successful candidates must also apply to their chosen DPhil at Oxford via the standard admissions process. Finalists will submit full applications following conditional offers .
Attend Information Sessions & Q&As—EIT offers webinars to support applicants .
ℹ️ Info Sessions
Graduate Information Sessions
Explore the EIT graduate funding opportunities by joining our online webinars, where you can meet the team and learn more about the scholarships. Register here
🚀 Final Thoughts
The EIT Graduate Scholarships 2026 are more than financial support—they’re an invitation to innovate at the intersection of research, technology, and global impact. As a Graduate Scholar, you’ll be part of a pioneering cohort tackling urgent challenges across four key humanitarian domains.
