Scholarships

LSHTM-UNN Scholarship 2026 — Fully Funded MSc & PhD

Faseeh Sultan

June 30, 2026
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LSHTM-UNN Scholarship 2026 — Fully Funded MSc & PhD Research Assistantship in Nigeria

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), is offering a fully funded Research Assistantship for MSc and PhD students. Backed by Wellcome Trust funding, the program covers tuition, monthly stipends, and travel costs while you contribute to an international study on Africa’s health workforce — here’s everything you need to know to apply before the 15 July 2026 deadline.

Quick Info Box

Detail	Information
University/Organization	University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) & London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Country	Nigeria (research scope also covers Zambia and Uganda)
Degree/Level	MSc & PhD (Research Assistantship)
Funding Type	Fully funded — tuition, monthly stipend, travel
Deadline	15 July 2026
Open To	All countries, with priority for Nigerian applicants
Official Link	Application Details PDF

🎓 About This Opportunity

This Research Assistantship is tied to a Wellcome Trust-funded study titled “Professional Personhood among Africa’s Paradoxically Surplus Health Workers,” a mixed-methods investigation into why health worker shortages persist in government hospitals despite an apparent oversupply of trained professionals. The research spans Nigeria, Zambia, and Uganda, examining the socio-cultural and political-economic forces behind this paradox.

What makes this opportunity distinct is its dual academic home: candidates are based at UNN in Nigeria while collaborating directly with LSHTM, one of the world’s leading institutions in public health and tropical medicine. Multiple MSc and PhD positions are open, with selection grounded in academic background, research skills, and motivation rather than a single rigid formula.

🎓 Benefits / Funding

Full tuition coverage for the duration of the MSc or PhD program
Monthly stipend for living expenses throughout participation in the research project
Travel costs covered for research-related work in host locations
Professional mentorship from senior academics at LSHTM and UNN
Co-authorship opportunities on publications and conference presentations
International networking with researchers across Nigeria, Zambia, and Uganda

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Must be a prospective or currently enrolled MSc or PhD student in Medical Anthropology, Sociology, Demography, Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems, Development Studies, or a related discipline
English-test requirement: not required (IELTS not specified as mandatory for this position) — confirm directly with the program if you’re applying from outside Nigeria
MSc applicants should show interest in health systems and workforce research, demonstrated research skills, strong communication, and experience in data collection and analysis
PhD applicants should show interest in health systems, labour studies, and the sociology of professions, along with qualitative research experience and familiarity with tools like NVivo, Atlas.ti, SPSS, or Stata
Open to applicants from all countries, though priority is given to Nigerian candidates

🎓 Who Should Apply / Who Shouldn’t

✅ You’re a current or prospective MSc/PhD student in public health, sociology, anthropology, or a related field

✅ You have experience or strong interest in qualitative or mixed-methods research

✅ You’re comfortable working across institutions (UNN and LSHTM) and across countries

✅ You can demonstrate genuine motivation for health workforce research, not just academic credentials

❌ You’re outside the eligible disciplines listed above

❌ You’re looking for a scholarship with no research-assistant responsibilities attached

❌ You can’t commit to ongoing involvement in the research project for the duration of your program

🎓 Available Programs / Fields / Positions

Eligible fields include Medical Anthropology, Sociology, Demography, Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems, and Development Studies. Multiple MSc and PhD Research Assistant positions are available, with the program lasting the duration of the MSc or PhD (typically 2–4 years depending on level).

🎓 Required Documents

A 2-page cover letter explaining your suitability for the position
Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Proof of enrolment (or pending application) in an MSc or PhD program
A sample of academic writing — this can be a publication, conference paper, dissertation chapter, or research report

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Prepare all required documents and combine them into a single PDF.
Email your application to aloysius@unn.edu.ng or chidi.ugwu@unn.edu.ng.
Use the subject line “Application for Research Assistant Position – PhD Student” or “Application for Research Assistant Position – MSc Student”, depending on your level.
Submit before the deadline — shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Tip: Since your writing sample is reviewed alongside your cover letter, choose a piece that best demonstrates research or analytical skills relevant to health systems work — even a strong term paper can work if it’s well-argued and clearly written.

🎓 Important Dates

Date	Milestone
15 July 2026	Final application deadline
After 15 July 2026	Shortlisted candidates contacted for interviews

Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

🎓 Why Apply — Why This Opportunity

Few postgraduate research assistantships combine funding at this level (tuition, stipend, and travel) with direct collaboration between a Nigerian university and a top-ranked UK institution like LSHTM. For students interested in health systems research, this position offers real fieldwork exposure across three countries, mentorship from international academics, and a credible publication record before you’ve even finished your degree — assets that matter significantly for future PhD or research-career applications.

🎓 FAQ

Is the LSHTM-UNN Scholarship fully funded? Yes — it covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and travel costs related to the research project.

Can international (non-Nigerian) students apply? Yes, the opportunity is open to all countries worldwide, though priority is given to Nigerian applicants.

Is IELTS required to apply? IELTS is not specified as a requirement for this position (verify directly with the program if applying internationally).

Do I need to already be enrolled in an MSc or PhD program? No — both prospective and currently enrolled students in eligible disciplines can apply.

How will I know if I’ve been shortlisted? Selected candidates will be contacted directly for interviews; there’s no separate public shortlist announcement mentioned.

🎓 Official Source

Application Details & Full Advertisement

Application email: aloysius@unn.edu.ng or chidi.ugwu@unn.edu.ng

🎓 Summary Table

Detail	Information
Scholarship	LSHTM-UNN Research Assistantship 2026
Institutions	University of Nigeria, Nsukka + London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Funding	Tuition + monthly stipend + travel costs
Level	MSc & PhD
Countries	Open globally; priority to Nigerian applicants
Deadline	15 July 2026
How to Apply	Email single PDF application