Scholarships & funding

CoSS-UWI Collaborative PhD Scholarship - Strengthening Caribbean Health Systems: A Cost Effectiveness Approach to maternal, Mental, and Adolescent Health

Project details

This funded PhD project explores how scarce health resources can be allocated more effectively to improve maternal, mental, and adolescent health in the Caribbean. The student will apply health economics methods to three linked studies on postpartum health, mental health investment, and adolescent mental health programmes. The first study evaluates a community-led, digitally supported programme to reduce postpartum cardiovascular risk among women affected by adverse pregnancy outcomes. The second develops an investment case for mental health in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on intervention costs, benefits, and domestic resource mobilisation. The third assesses the cost-effectiveness of multisectoral mental health promotion and care programmes for Indigenous adolescents in Dominica and Brazil. The project is embedded in international collaborations with partners at the University of the West Indies, and offers the opportunity to produce policy-relevant, publishable research with real-world impact. The successful applicant will have access to training in economic evaluation, applied microeconometrics, and health policy analysis.

Supervisory Team

Principal Supervisor: Professor Anwen Zhang

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Alberto Ciancio, Professor Simon Anderson (UWI) & Dr Althea LaFoucade (UWI)

About the School/Research Unit

This is not a joint or dual degree, but external supervision is provided. The project is based in the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, and is jointly supervised with leading academics at the University of the West Indies. The supervisory team brings together expertise in health economics, development economics, population health, and Caribbean health systems. It is embedded in a strong international collaboration with clear pathways to policy engagement. Through this partnership, the student will benefit from a stimulating research environment and rigorous methodological training at Glasgow, and direct engagement with Caribbean policy and health research networks through the University of the West Indies.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria

• Applicants will have a good Masters degree (or overseas equivalent)
• Applicants will have a demonstratable interest in the topic under investigation
• Applicants must be able to study full-time
• Applicants must be a citizen of a Commonwealth Caribbean Nation; and
• Applicants must be a current student, staff member, or alumnus of the University of the West Indies

Please note that all applicants must also meet the entry requirements for the Economics, PhD. 

Number of Scholarships

1

Value

The scholarship is available as a full-time +3 (3 year) PhD programme only. The programme will commence in October 2026 (or January 2027). The funding includes:

• An annual stipend at the UKRI rate
• Fees at the standard home or international fee rate
• Students can also draw on a Research Training Support Grant, usually up to a maximum of £940 per year

Other information

Applicants with prior training in economics, health economics, or a closely related field are especially encouraged to apply

How to apply

Application process

Applicants must apply via the Scholarships Application Portal (please see Scholarships Application Portal - Applicant Guide for more information).The funding opportunity is under 'College of Social Sciences Postgraduate Research Funding > COSS-25-010'), uploading the following documentation:

• CoSS-UWI Scholarship - Caribbean Health Systems application form (in Word format)
• Academic transcripts (All relevant Undergraduate and Master’s level degree transcripts (and translations, if not originally in English) – provisional transcripts are sufficient if you are yet to complete your degree).
• Academic Prizes
• Contact details for two referees (where possible your referees should include an academic familiar with your work (within the last 5 years). Both referees can be academics but you may include a work referee, especially if you have been out of academia for more than 5 years). Please note, a CoSS PGR Funding Reference template will be sent to your referees for completion)*. Note that no member of this project's supervisory team can act as your referee. Please see CoSS PGR Funding Reference request guide for further guidance
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (academic where applicable)
• Demographic eligibility
• Copy of documentation showing your citizenship of a Commonwealth Caribbean nation; and
• Documentation showing you are a current student, staff member or alumnus of the University of the West Indies

*Please note that when you enter your referees contact details on the Scholarships Application Portal and send the reference request, your referees are expected to provide their references by the closing date of the Scholarship (below). It is strongly recommended you complete this as soon as possible, as late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing Date: 09 June 2026

References from referees are due no later than 16 June 2026

Selection process

Applications will be assessed by the project team. Shortlisted applicants may be requested to attend an Interview.

All scholarship awards are subject to candidates successfully securing admission to a PhD programme in the Adam Smith Business School. Successful applicants will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme after they are selected for funding.

Contact details

Questions on the project: Professor Anwen Zhang

Questions on the Scholarships Application Portal only: College of Social Sciences Graduate School