For 2026 entry, we will be offering Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships in Cities available for a number of programmes across the Departments of Government, Geography, Management and Sociology. Students of all nationalities are eligible for this funding. Co-supervision is available by LSE Cities faculty and encouraged where possible.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentship will be encouraging a collaborative approach involving city governments as co-hosting institutions. Research students will generate original and significant research in the field of city government innovation, urban governance and leadership, including exploratory and open research on the critical uncertainties challenging urban governance over the next decade.
Research will be highly contemporary, informed by concerns of the twenty-first century European city and focussing on essential future agendas for European cities.
Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships in Cities provide fees, a stipend and additional support to engage with city administrations and academic urban governance networks.
Eligibility
Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships will be available for the following programmes:
Department of Government
Department of Geography and the Environment
Department of Management
Department of Sociology
Students of all nationalities are eligible for funding, although there is a cap on the number of studentships that can be awarded to students from one country.
Studentship amount
Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships will cover full fees and an annual stipend of at least £22,780 (which is the 2025/26 amount).
There will be additional funding available to support related activities.
How to apply
Candidates must make two separate applications to be considered:
- Apply for your chosen research programme via the LSE application portal, accessible via the programme links above.
- Apply for the Studentship opportunity via this application link.
Both applications must be submitted before the funding deadline of your chosen programme, as listed in the relevant link (refer to the programme's 'Fees and Funding' subsection). We strongly encourage you to submit as early as possible.
Please direct queries to Keenan Collett, Student and Professional Development Manager – K.Collett1@lse.ac.uk