Citizen Prosperity Index PhD - Global Prosperity MPhil/PhD Scheme

The UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) announces a new PhD scheme and scholarship dedicated to advancing research on the Citizen Prosperity Index (CPI) and the Institute’s longitudinal studies.

 

A group of student work around a laptop

 

About the Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme 

The UCL Institute for Global Prosperity’s new PhD scheme focuses on developing innovative approaches to measuring and understanding prosperity through the CPI and long-term community-based research. The CPI is a pioneering framework designed to capture multidimensional aspects of prosperity—beyond GDP—by integrating social, economic, and environmental indicators at the citizen level.

This scheme is part of the Institute’s Global Prosperity MPhil/PhD programme, offering you the opportunity to join a vibrant community committed to redefining prosperity for people and planet in the 21st century. You will contribute to longitudinal studies that track prosperity outcomes across diverse contexts, including urban neighborhoods in East London and Camden, and international sites such as Tanzania, Greece, Spain and Italy. 

Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme Scholarship 

Number of available scholarships

One (UK Home students and full tuition fees only)

Value of scholarship

Full tuition fees

For admissions in

October 2026

Duration

Full-time (3 years) or Part-time (5 years) MPhil/PhD

Eligible students

All prospective students (UK Home)

Eligible programmes

Global Prosperity MPhil/PhD

Location

Institute for Global Prosperity, UCL based in London

Applications open

Applications are now open for the Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme.

Apply now.

Deadline

Monday, May 4, 2026, 23:59 BST

Main themes

  1. Advancing the Citizen Prosperity Index as a multidimensional measure of flourishing
  2. Longitudinal studies of prosperity in East London, Camden, Tanzania, and other global sites
  3. Integrating Prosperity Index and Global Solutions Initiative SAGE data
  4. Linking prosperity metrics to policy and community interventions
  5. Innovative methodologies for policy-relevant research and advancing theoretical work 

  6. Comparative analysis of prosperity across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts 

    Your research will be supervised by leading scholars at IGP and will contribute to shaping global debates on prosperity and influencing policy at local, national, and international levels. 

Our approach to PhD training

The Global Prosperity MPhil/PhD programme offers: 

  • Interdisciplinary research training focused on real-world impact
  • Practical skills development via The Bartlett and UCL Doctoral School
  • Opportunities for collaboration with communities, policymakers, and global partners
  • Access to IGP’s extensive network of academics, think tanks, and international organizations 

More information

The UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP)

The IGP is a world-leading trans-disciplinary research institution with a central mission to rebuild and redefine prosperity for the 21st century. Professor Henrietta L. Moore is the Founder and Director of the IGP. The Institute works globally in many regions including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East collaborating with multiple stakeholders to think about new approaches to the economy and to co-create dynamic and sustainable pathways towards quality of life, secure livelihoods, and economic and social wellbeing for people and planet.

How to apply

Step 1: The Institute offers 1 fully-funded PhD Scholarship (tuition fees only) for students on the Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme. 

Please see the key information on the scholarship to apply. You do not need to have secured an offer of a place at UCL in order to apply for the scholarship.

Check whether you meet the admissions criteria.

Step 2: Align your research proposal with the CPI and longitudinal study themes. 

If you have any queries regarding the themes, please contact  via email bartlett.phd-ecidi@ucl.ac.uk.

Step 3: Write your proposal 

Your PhD research proposal is the central component of your application. We encourage you to invest significant time in making it as strong as possible. 

Your proposal should: 

  • Consist of a target length of 2,000 to 2,500 words.
  • Include your aims, core research questions, a discussion of the relevant theoretical literature you will contribute to and develop, the methodological approaches you intend to use, details of how the research will be accomplished practically and a concise bibliography.
  • Make clear the foremost scholarly discipline(s) you wish to contribute to, and the nature of your intended contribution.
  • Explain in detail how your research topic relates to the Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme and the corresponding themes.
  • Include one or two sentences about how you intend to fund your degree (see step 6 below). 

Step 4: Submit your pre-application

If eligible, apply for the IGP Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme. The pre-application process for this studentship consists of:  

  • Submission of your CV and Research Proposal by email to bartlett.phd-ecidi@ucl.ac.uk mentioning the studentship “Citizen Prosperity Index PhD Scheme Scholarship” in your email subject header.
  • Filling out the application form.

Please note, you must complete all three requirements, submitting your CV & Research Proposal and completion of the application form, to be considered for this studentship. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Contact us

If you have any queries about the Citizen Prosperity Index PhD scholarship or scheme, please contact us via email: bartlett.phd-ecidi@ucl.ac.uk