Discover the possibilities of pursuing advanced education in the UK with the Intellectual Property PhD – Herchel Smith Scholarships, opening doors for ambitious scholars. These scholarships, covering the 2024-2025 academic year, provide a fully funded opportunity specifically designed for international students striving for academic excellence. Administered by Queen Mary University, the scholarships cover full tuition fees and include an annual award of approximately £17,000.
The Herchel Smith PhD Scholarship Programme reflects the university’s dedication to nurturing outstanding talent in intellectual property law. It seeks to empower full-time students who exhibit exceptional potential to make significant contributions to the field. Additionally, the program supports PhD students specializing in intellectual property law or exploring interdisciplinary connections between intellectual property law and various domains in sciences and humanities.
Queen Mary University’s School of Law ranks among the top 10 law schools in the UK, renowned for its exceptional research quality. Internationally recognized faculty members serve as advisors to industry, governments, and non-governmental organizations at both national and global levels. Successful Herchel Smith Scholarship recipients not only engage in their research but also contribute up to 6 hours per week, as needed, to support research and related tasks for the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Law Research Institute (QMIPRI).
This scholarship opportunity goes beyond financial assistance; it signifies a commitment to fostering scholarly pursuits and meaningful contributions to the field of intellectual property law. Recipients of this prestigious scholarship join a community dedicated to advancing legal scholarship and making a tangible impact on industry, governance, and society. By doing so, they solidify their position as future leaders and innovators in intellectual property law.
Degree Level:
The Herchel Smith – Intellectual Property PhD for the academic year 2024-25 in the UK is offered for candidates pursuing doctoral-level programs specifically at Queen Mary University of London.
Subjects:
The Herchel Smith – Intellectual Property PhD program for the academic year 2024-25 in the UK provides an opportunity to delve into various focus areas, including:
- The convergence of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) with public international law and private international law.
- IPRs concerning intangible cultural and scientific heritage.
- The intersection of IPRs with considerations of human rights.
- Exploration of the doctrine of functionality within the realm of intellectual property.
- Examination of how intellectual property law facilitates and regulates art.
- Understanding the relationship between international trade and intellectual property law, including interactions between patents and trade in stem cells or trademarks in tobacco plain packaging.
- Analysis of intellectual property transactions, such as licensing broadcasting rights for major league matches.
- Investigation of the interplay of TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) with both regional and national laws, like TRIPS within the framework of the European Patent Convention.
- Delving into the philosophy underlying intellectual property rights.
- Distinguishing between primary and secondary markets in intellectual property.
- Application of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to cases involving “double identity” trademarks.
- Exploration of property rights related to persona or personal identity.
- Strategies and mechanisms for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
- Understanding the concepts of exhaustion and licensing within the context of intellectual property.
These areas cover a broad spectrum within the field of intellectual property, spanning legal aspects, philosophical considerations, and practical applications.
Scholarship Advantages:
The Herchel Smith – Intellectual Property PhD scholarship provides the following benefits:
- Comprehensive Tuition Coverage: The scholarship encompasses all tuition fees, regardless of whether they are at the Home rate or the International rate. This inclusivity extends the opportunity to both UK and international applicants.
- Financial Grant: Additionally, successful recipients will receive an annual grant of approximately £12,500. This grant is subject to annual review and will be disbursed regularly throughout the academic year, commencing in September 2024.
These benefits aim to remove financial barriers, making the scholarship accessible to a diverse pool of applicants, fostering an inclusive environment for advanced research in Intellectual Property at Queen Mary University.
Eligible Nationalities:
This scholarship welcomes applications from students of all nationalities, both international and domestic.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for consideration for the Intellectual Property PhD – Herchel Smith Scholarships, applicants are required to fulfill the following criteria:
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English is a prerequisite. Candidates must demonstrate language proficiency by passing recognized language tests such as IELTS or equivalent examinations.
- Global Eligibility: Applicants from all countries around the world are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
- Program Commencement: The scholarship is intended for prospective students planning to commence their doctoral program in the upcoming academic year, starting in September 2024.
- PhD Specialization: Candidates must be enrolled as PhD students specializing in intellectual property law or conducting research at the intersection of intellectual property law with other disciplines in sciences or humanities.
- Language Proficiency Standards: Language proficiency should meet specific standards, including an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing and 5.5 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking. Alternatively, a TOEFL score of 100 overall with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, and 20 in Speaking is accepted. Alternative language tests may also be considered.
Application Procedure:
For those applying to the Intellectual Property PhD – Herchel Smith Scholarships, please follow the outlined application guidelines:
Required Documents:
- Essential Qualification Documents:
- Upload a maximum of 5 essential qualification documents.
- Include original certificates and/or transcripts.
- English Proficiency:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English through recognized language tests.
- Professional Memberships (if applicable):
- Provide details of memberships in professional organizations like GMC or Bar.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé:
- Present a comprehensive CV outlining educational and employment history.
- Personal Statement:
- Submit a concise personal statement, limited to 1,000 words.
- Detail your interest in the field, relevant research experience, and academic publications.
- Funding Information:
- Provide evidence of funding or existing scholarships.
- Research Proposal:
- Include a research proposal with information on the proposed supervisor, contact status with the supervisor(s), project title, proposed start date, and research group.
- Referee Contact Details:
- Include contact details for two referees who can provide recommendations.
Applicants should ensure that they carefully adhere to these guidelines and submit a comprehensive application package to be considered for the scholarship.
Application Process:
- Online Application for PhD Program:
- Apply online for the PhD program ahead of the funding submission deadline.
- Differentiate between the application processes for full-time and part-time study.
- Registration and Login:
- Register and log in as a new applicant.
- Single Submission:
- Submit your application only once to avoid duplication.
- Detailed Application Information:
- For more comprehensive details on the application process, visit here.
- Contact for Inquiries:
- For any inquiries related to the PhD funding application, reach out to Mr. G Skehan, the School of Law PhD Admissions Administrator.
- Contact Mr. G Skehan via email at [email protected].
Prospective applicants are encouraged to follow these steps carefully and utilize the provided contact information for any necessary clarifications regarding the application process.
Additional Notes:
- Declaration of Funding Intentions:
- Express your intention to be considered for funding within the PhD online application form.
- Application Section for Herchel Smith Award:
- Clearly state your desire to apply for the School of Law Herchel Smith award under the ‘scholarships or grants’ section.
- No Direct Contact Requirement:
- The School of Law does not mandate direct contact with academic staff for supervision before the submission of the full application.
- Post-Submission Funding Interest:
- If you’ve already submitted your primary application without indicating interest in the funding, contact Mr. Gareth Skehan before the deadline.
- Specify the award you wish to apply for via email at [email protected].
- Supervisor Naming in Online Application:
- The online application system requires naming a proposed supervisor.
- Law applicants can designate it as a ‘School of Law supervisor’ without specifying a particular staff member if they prefer.
This process ensures that applicants can effectively apply for the Herchel Smith Scholarships within the School of Law without the need for pre-arranged supervision contacts.
