Applications are now open for the 2026 Ellison Scholars Graduate Programme. EIT provides fully-funded doctoral (DPhil/PhD) study at the University of Oxford, where graduate students directly contribute to progressing an EIT project. These projects tackle global challenges through cutting-edge technology, offering graduate students the chance to collaborate with world-leading experts to develop innovative solutions.
Requirements
- The program is looking for promising candidates from around the world each year, who are passionate about solving humanity’s most serious problems. EIT Students will fully commit to both their study at the University of Oxford and their ongoing project work with EIT.
Applicants will need to meet the University of Oxford’s entry requirements for their chosen doctoral course. They must:
- Have, or be on track to be awarded, the relevant qualification(s) required by the University of Oxford,
- Have met, or be on track to meet, the grade requirements for their chosen doctoral course and
- Have met, or be on track to meet, the University’s English language requirements for their chosen doctoral course.
Graduate opportunities
There are two routes to be funded by EIT Oxford to study a full-time DPhil/PhD at the University of Oxford.
- Contribute substantively and meaningfully to the EIT projects as a EIT Graduate Scholar.
- Apply for a place on the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fundamentals of AI.
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
Benefits
The EIT funds:
EIT Graduate Scholarships
EIT Graduate Scholars have an exceptional academic, research, and innovation track record and a portfolio of achievements that go beyond the selection criteria.
EIT CDT Funding
EIT CDT Students are studying on the EIT-funded DPhil (PhD) degree: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT).
Application Timeline:
APPLICATIONS OPEN: 1 September 2025
First deadline: 1 October 2025
- December 2025: First round of conditional scholarship decisions.
- December 2025: Finalists submit applications to the University of Oxford.*
Second deadline: 1 December 2025
- January 2026: Second round of conditional scholarship decisions.
- January 2026: Finalists submit applications to the University of Oxford.*
final deadline: 1 February 2026
- March 2026: Final found of conditional scholarship decisions.
- March 2026: Finalists submit applications to the University of Oxford.*
- NB: Applications may remain open beyond this deadline if places are still available.
Announcement: April 2026
EIT Graduate Scholars are announced.
Scholars begin their studies: October 2026
EIT Graduate Scholars begin their studies at the University of Oxford.
*Finalists must follow the University’s separate and independent admissions process.
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