Applications are now officially open for the highly prestigious FORESIGHTERS Doctoral Training Programme 2026 at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom. The programme is offering 20 fully funded PhD positions for early-stage researchers interested in interdisciplinary, future-focused research designed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing societal challenges.
Funded by Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland), FORESIGHTERS provides a unique doctoral training experience that combines world-class academic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, Futures Thinking, and engagement with non-academic partners across multiple sectors.
Successful candidates will receive full tuition coverage, a highly competitive salary package, staff employment benefits, research and travel funding, international collaboration opportunities, and advanced training designed to prepare the next generation of global research leaders.
The application deadline is Monday, 29th June 2026.
What is the FORESIGHTERS Programme?
FORESIGHTERS stands for:
Future ORiEnted Skills, Innovation for Governance for Health, Technology, EneRgy, citieS and creativity
The programme has been developed to train researchers capable of understanding and responding to complex global changes through interdisciplinary and future-oriented research.
Unlike traditional PhD programmes, FORESIGHTERS is centered around:
- Futures Thinking
- Futures Literacy
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Societal impact
- Innovation and governance
- Sustainability and resilience
Researchers will learn how to critically explore multiple possible futures and apply future-focused methodologies to today’s societal, technological, environmental, and governance challenges.
Number of Fully Funded Positions
Queen’s University Belfast is recruiting:
- 20 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs)
- 42-month full-time funded doctoral positions
There are:
- 5 research themes
- 4 vacancies available within each research theme
Applicants apply directly to one of the research themes and compete within that applicant pool.
Research Themes Available
Applicants can apply under one of the following interdisciplinary research themes:
1. Health Research Theme
Focused on healthcare innovation, governance, wellbeing, public health, health systems, and future healthcare solutions.
2. Technology Research Theme
Exploring artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital transformation, governance, ethics, and technological futures.
3. Energy Research Theme
Research involving sustainability, climate transitions, renewable energy systems, resilience, and future energy solutions.
4. Future Cities Research Theme
Projects addressing smart cities, urban planning, infrastructure, sustainability, resilience, and future urban development.
5. Creativity Research Theme
Connecting arts, culture, humanities, innovation, storytelling, and creative futures.
Salary and Financial Benefits
The FORESIGHTERS programme offers an exceptional financial package for doctoral researchers.
Successful applicants will receive:
Competitive Salary Package
- Salary package up to £37,734
- Additional family allowance of £6,600 for eligible researchers
Full Tuition Fee Coverage
- Complete PhD tuition funding
- Access to advanced doctoral training resources
Research and Development Funding
Researchers will also receive:
- Dedicated research funding
- Travel funding
- Opportunities for secondments with external organizations
- International networking opportunities
Employment Benefits
Researchers are appointed on full-time employment contracts and receive:
- Staff employment benefits
- Access to university staff development programmes
- Professional skills training
- Career development support
Why the FORESIGHTERS Programme is Unique
FORESIGHTERS goes beyond conventional doctoral research.
The programme combines:
- Academic excellence
- Futures Thinking methodologies
- Interdisciplinary supervision
- Real-world collaboration
- Policy and societal engagement
Researchers will work with:
- Academic supervisors
- Industry partners
- Public sector organizations
- Non-academic collaborators
The programme encourages co-designed research projects that create real-world impact beyond academia.
Open Research Call Structure
One of the most unique aspects of the programme is that it operates as an open call.
Applicants may:
- Select from suggested project ideas
- Develop and propose their own research ideas
This gives researchers significant intellectual independence while ensuring their ideas align with the broader aims of the FORESIGHTERS programme.
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Highlight interdisciplinary links
- Demonstrate originality
- Show societal relevance
- Connect their proposal to future-oriented thinking
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for MSCA funding, applicants must answer “No” to BOTH of the following questions:
Mobility Rule
Applicants must NOT have:
- Resided in the UK
- Carried out their main education
- Or undertaken employment activity in the UK
for more than 12 months within the 36 months before the application deadline (29th June 2026).
Doctoral Degree Rule
Applicants must NOT:
- Already possess a doctoral degree
- Be in the process of being awarded one before the application deadline
Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be considered ineligible.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment
Queen’s University Belfast strongly emphasizes equality of opportunity and inclusive recruitment practices.
The university is internationally recognized for:
- Gender equality leadership
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Disability inclusion
- Equitable employment practices
FORESIGHTERS specifically commits to:
- Diverse selection panels
- Inclusive recruitment strategies
- Accessible interview processes
- Recognition of cultural and language differences
- Fair assessment of applicants with career breaks, parental leave, or non-traditional pathways
The programme explicitly encourages applications from underrepresented groups in academia.
Detailed Recruitment Timeline
Recruitment Opens
18th May 2026
Information Webinars
10th June 2026
Application Deadline
29th June 2026
Eligibility Screening
Expected within 2 weeks after applications close
Shortlisting Notifications
Expected by end of July 2026
Online Research Theme Sandpits
Expected in early September 2026
Interviews
Expected in early October 2026
Final Appointment Decisions
Expected by November 2026
Programme Start Date
January 2027
Step-by-Step Application Process
Stage 1: Online Application Submission
Applications must be submitted through the Research section of the Queen’s University Belfast Career Opportunities portal.
Applicants must complete:
- Personal information
- Contact details
- Employment history
- References
- Equal opportunities section
- Declaration forms
Required Application Documents
Applicants must upload a single combined file containing:
1. Curriculum Vitae (Maximum 2 Pages)
The CV should include:
- Academic qualifications
- Universities attended
- Degrees awarded
- Grades and courses
- Professional qualifications
- Employment experience
- Research and voluntary experience
- Publications (if any)
2. Supporting Statement (Maximum 2 Pages)
Applicants should explain:
- How they meet the essential and desirable criteria
- Motivation for joining FORESIGHTERS
- Interest in interdisciplinary doctoral research
3. Outline Research Proposal (Maximum 1 Page)
The proposal should:
- Describe research interests
- Align with the chosen research theme
- Highlight interdisciplinary links where relevant
- Demonstrate originality and future-focused thinking
Applicants can apply to multiple themes, but a separate application must be submitted for each theme.
Stage 2: Eligibility Screening and Shortlisting
Applications are reviewed for:
- MSCA eligibility compliance
- Academic suitability
- Research potential
- Quality of supporting documents
- Strength of research proposal
Each application is reviewed by at least two panel members using a structured scoring rubric.
Approximately:
- 6–8 applicants per theme
will be shortlisted for interview.
Stage 3: Online Sandpits and Interview Assessment
Shortlisted applicants will participate in:
- Online Research Theme Information Sandpits
These sessions are designed to:
- Introduce potential supervisors
- Explore interdisciplinary collaboration
- Encourage co-design with non-academic partners
- Help applicants refine their research ideas
Importantly:
Candidates are NOT assessed during the Sandpit sessions.
Final Research Proposal
Before interviews, shortlisted applicants must submit a more detailed research proposal demonstrating:
- Originality
- Research impact
- Interdisciplinary thinking
- Methodology and feasibility
- Evidence of refinement after Sandpit participation
Interview Structure
All interviews last approximately one hour.
Interview Components
Welcome and Introductions
14 minutes
Research Proposal Presentation
- 3 slides
- 3-minute presentation
Futures Thinking Task
Candidates receive a special interdisciplinary task 60 minutes before the interview and present:
- 3-minute presentation
- No PowerPoint allowed
Panel Questions
40 minutes
Assessment criteria include:
- Excellence
- Interdisciplinarity
- Impact
- Research potential
- Communication skills
Stage 4: Final Appointment
Following interviews:
- The top 4 candidates in each research theme will receive offers
- Additional appointable candidates may be placed on reserve lists
Successful applicants will:
- Finalize their research projects
- Confirm supervisory teams
- Receive support for UK visa applications if required
The university will assist international researchers with:
- Global Talent Visa support
- Relocation processes
- UK work authorization requirements
Why Study at Queen’s University Belfast?
Queen’s University Belfast is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities and a member of the prestigious Russell Group.
The university is recognized globally for:
- Academic excellence
- Research impact
- Sustainability leadership
- Diversity and inclusion
- Doctoral training quality
Global Recognition
Queen’s University Belfast is:
- Ranked among the world’s top 200 universities
- Recognized in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026
- Holder of the Athena Swan Gold Award
- Recognized as a University of Sanctuary
Living in Belfast
Belfast offers:
- Affordable living costs compared to many UK cities
- Strong international student community
- Vibrant arts and culture
- Excellent quality of life
- Rich history and modern innovation ecosystem
Final Thoughts
The FORESIGHTERS Doctoral Training Programme 2026 represents one of the most exciting fully funded interdisciplinary PhD opportunities currently available in Europe.
With generous funding, strong institutional support, interdisciplinary collaboration, Futures Thinking training, and global research engagement, the programme is designed to prepare researchers to become leaders capable of shaping a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient future.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply through the official application portal HERE.
Click HERE for more information about the Belfast FORESIGHTERS Fully Funded PhD Programme.
Explore more global job opportunities on OFY here.
