Fully Funded PhD in Financial Technology (FinTech) Scholarships 2026 at the University of Edinburgh in Partnership with Lloyds Banking Group @the University of Edinburgh in Partnership with Lloyds Banking Group

Applications are now open for two prestigious fully funded PhD studentships in Financial Technology (FinTech) at the University of Edinburgh Business School. Co-designed and supported by Lloyds Banking Group, these doctoral opportunities provide aspiring researchers with the chance to undertake cutting-edge research that combines academic excellence with real-world industry impact.

The studentships are designed for talented individuals who want to contribute to the future of financial technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, customer analytics, insurance innovation, and financial services transformation.

Successful applicants will join one of the United Kingdom’s leading research institutions while working on industry-relevant projects that address some of the most important challenges facing the financial sector today.

Application Deadline: 18 June 2026 (23:59)

Programme Start Date: September 2026

About the PhD in Financial Technology (FinTech)

The PhD in Financial Technology at the University of Edinburgh offers students the opportunity to conduct advanced research in areas shaping the future of finance and digital innovation.

Through collaboration with Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest financial institutions, students will gain exposure to both academic research and practical industry applications.

The programme is particularly suitable for candidates interested in:

• Financial Technology (FinTech)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Financial Analytics
• Insurance Technology (InsurTech)
• Risk Management
• Customer Behaviour Analytics
• Digital Transformation
• Cloud Computing
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Decision Science

Available Fully Funded PhD Studentships

The University of Edinburgh is currently offering two fully funded PhD studentships.

1. Sequential Foundation Model for Customer Behaviour with Uncertainty-Aware Pricing Decisions

This innovative four-year PhD project will focus on developing and investigating advanced foundation models trained on customer event sequences.

The research aims to create a shared representation framework capable of supporting multiple business functions within financial services.

Key research areas include:

• Customer behaviour prediction
• Risk assessment
• Pricing decision support
• Foundation models
• Machine learning applications in finance
• Predictive analytics
• Decision intelligence

The project seeks to improve how financial institutions understand customer interactions while making more accurate and uncertainty-aware pricing decisions.

Funding Value

Successful candidates will receive:

• £25,000 stipend for the 2026–2027 academic year
• Annual increase of 5% over the remaining three years
• Full funding throughout the four-year programme

2. Secure and Governed Multi-Agent AI for Home Insurance Claims and Pricing

This fully funded PhD project will investigate how agentic AI systems can transform insurance claims management and pricing strategies.

The research will focus on developing secure, governed, and cloud-native multi-agent frameworks that support intelligent decision-making processes within the insurance sector.

Key research areas include:

• Agentic AI
• Multi-agent systems
• Home insurance innovation
• Claims automation
• Insurance pricing
• Cloud-native architectures
• AI governance
• Cybersecurity
• Responsible AI

The project offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, financial services, and insurance technology.

Funding Value

Successful candidates will receive:

• £25,000 stipend for the 2026–2027 academic year
• Annual increase of 5% over the following three years
• Full funding for the entire four-year programme

Why These PhD Studentships Stand Out

These studentships offer far more than traditional doctoral research opportunities.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

Full Financial Support

• Fully funded doctoral study
• Annual living stipend
• Increasing financial support each year
• Reduced financial burden during research

Industry Collaboration

Students will work on projects co-designed with Lloyds Banking Group, ensuring direct relevance to real-world financial sector challenges.

High-Impact Research

Researchers will contribute to emerging fields that are transforming global finance, including:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Financial Services Innovation
• Insurance Technology
• Predictive Analytics
• Decision Intelligence

Academic Excellence

Students will study at the University of Edinburgh, one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities with a strong reputation in business, technology, and data science.

Career Advancement

Graduates will be well-positioned for careers in:

• Academia
• Financial Institutions
• FinTech Companies
• Insurance Firms
• Technology Companies
• Research Organizations
• Government and Regulatory Bodies
• Consulting Firms

Eligibility Requirements

The University of Edinburgh seeks to award these studentships to the strongest candidates based on academic excellence and alignment with the proposed research projects.

Selection will primarily consider:

• Academic merit
• Research potential
• Relevant educational background
• Fit with the chosen research project
• Motivation for doctoral study

According to the programme information, eligibility is open to all applicants, meaning both domestic and international candidates may apply.

Financial Benefits

Each successful PhD candidate will receive:

Funding Package

• Full funding for four years
• £25,000 annual stipend during the 2026–27 academic year
• Annual 5% stipend increase over the next three years
• Opportunity to conduct industry-linked doctoral research

This funding package provides substantial support for living expenses while candidates focus on their research activities.

Application Process

Prospective applicants should carefully review the project descriptions and determine which studentship aligns most closely with their academic interests and career goals.

Applicants are encouraged to:

1. Review the research project details thoroughly.
2. Assess their academic background against the project requirements.
3. Prepare a strong application demonstrating research potential.
4. Highlight relevant experience in FinTech, AI, analytics, computer science, finance, insurance, or related disciplines.
5. Submit all required materials before the deadline.

Given the competitive nature of these fully funded opportunities, applicants should focus on demonstrating both academic excellence and a strong alignment with the selected research project.

About Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group is one of the United Kingdom’s largest financial services organizations. Through its collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, the organization supports research that drives innovation across banking, insurance, customer analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital financial services.

This partnership ensures that doctoral research remains connected to practical industry challenges and emerging market needs.

Application Deadline

18 June 2026 (23:59)

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Prospective candidates interested in conducting world-class doctoral research in Financial Technology, Artificial Intelligence, customer analytics, and insurance innovation should submit their applications before the deadline.

With full funding, industry collaboration, and access to world-class academic resources, these PhD studentships represent an outstanding opportunity for future researchers and innovators seeking to shape the future of financial technology.

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