phd funding bodies

• PhD Degree Funding

Harvard guarantees full financial support to PhD students—including tuition, health fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years.

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Harvard's financial support package is typically for the first four years of study and the completion year, using a tiered  tuition structure that reduces tuition over time as students progress through their degree programs. This multiyear funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments. In addition, Harvard Griffin GSAS students are particularly successful in securing grants,  fellowships , and other sources of external funding as part of their professional development.

The standard funding package includes:

• grant toward tuition and fees—paid in full for years 1 through 4, plus the dissertation completion year, with a partially subsidized dental plan option available
• living expense stipend during years 1 and 2
• a combination of stipend, teaching fellowships, and/or research assistantships during years 3 and 4
• if noted in your Notice of Financial Support, summer research funding following the first four academic years from Harvard Griffin GSAS or faculty grants
• stipend and/or research support during the completion year.

In some programs, the timing and structure of living expense support may vary from this pattern. For example, students in the sciences typically receive full funding until they complete their degrees.

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PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

There are probably more funding opportunities for your PhD than you think. It is worth making sure you have investigated them all.

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some pay course fees only, some include a stipend (maintenance costs) or travel expenses, and others offer a one-off award to ease the financial burden of academic study.

Each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility. At PhD level full funding will tend to be awarded on academic merit, but there are also some that take into account financial background and other criteria such as gender (such as in the case of the British Federation of Women Graduates).

Research Councils

The seven Research Councils invest in the region of £380 million into doctorate research every year. However, funding is made available through the participating universities rather than the research councils themselves. Universities set up Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in order to receive funding.

It is then up to the universities to decide who to award studentships to – usually based on academic merit following a competitive application process.

Eligibility criteria and award amounts are standardised and you will find many other funded PhDs referring to research council rates when defining their own. Research council studentships include fees and a minimum stipend per annum which is paid tax-free.

The seven Research Councils include:

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The above organisations have been grouped together with Innovate UK and Research England in 2018, and the umbrella organisation is called UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

UKRI’s key objectives include providing funding for the training of new researchers.

Academic institutions

Universities, colleges and research institutes also fund their own studentships, and these are typically listed on the institution’s own website alongside its research council-funded studentships. Some will offer fees only, while others may offer a stipend as well. Amounts may vary although many use the research council rates as a benchmark.

Commercial and charitable organisations

A number of non-academic organisations help fund research at PhD level in collaboration with the university hosting the study. CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentships are for four-year PhDs. These are part-funded by a non-academic ‘co-operating body’ such as a UK industrial firm, public sector organisation or charity. Students spend at least three months of the PhD working in-situ at the co-operating body which makes a financial contribution to both the student and the project. Students often find these to be good avenues for finding full-time work at the end of their placement, and will have gained valuable hands-on work experience. There are also CASE-Plus studentships where students spend a further year working full-time on the premises of the co-operating body as an employee following the PhD.

A number of charitable organisations, foundations and trusts can help fund PhDs:

The Wellcome Trust

Cancer Research UK

The British Academy

The British Federation of Women Graduates

The Institution of Civil Engineers

Institution of Engineering & Technology

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Royal Geographical Society

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland

Leverhulme Trust

Action Medical Research

The Grundy Educational Trust .

Self-funding

If you are having difficulty in getting funding from the above sources, you may be able to fund your own way through a PhD. You may be eligible for Professional and Career development loans. It is wise to review the specific application criteria to ensure that you are eligible.

A further option is to study part-time while working. This could however place additional demands on your time and financial situation. Be aware that if you have managed to access some funding elsewhere, you may be prohibited from working during your PhD as part of the stipulations of the award.

The jobs.ac.uk website lists some excellent PhD opportunities as well as a wide range of jobs – do take a look at them!

For more PhD tips:

Your PhD Journey – Top Tips 

What Can You Do With a PhD?

PhD Application Tips

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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10th October 2019 at 12:12 pm

I am a PHD Scholar at Wollegga University, Ethiopia.I need a Research Grant. Would you please help me?

3rd December 2019 at 9:21 am

I am conflict management PhD candidate in South Africa I need funding. My area of focus is Terrorism in Nigeria. Any advice

4th September 2020 at 8:57 pm

I was offered PhD opportunities at Universities of Cape Town, Queen Margaret and Winchester but could not find funding. My area of specialization is health systems management planning and poli

11th September 2020 at 3:25 pm

I am DBA scholar at University of Northampton researching on industrial actions. I need a research grant. Please assist.

4th December 2020 at 5:11 pm

I am looking for an admission to study PhD Medical Imaging or PhD Nuclear Medicine Technology with finding or grants. Kindly specifically help.

6th August 2022 at 6:45 am

I am a PhD scholar in one of the Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria. I seriously need a funding to allow me carry out a thorough research on Microplastics pollution in coastal areas of Southwestern part of Nigeria. Thanking you for your timely response. Olanipekun Oluwafunmilayo (Mrs)

5th January 2021 at 9:00 am

I am South African and I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University of Worcester, UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

18th October 2021 at 12:03 pm

I am due to go into my final year of my Professional doctorate in education, and need funding just for this one year. My research is into COVID and the impact upon young children. Please, can anyone guide me towards any potential sources of funding for this one year?

27th January 2022 at 1:42 pm

I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University College London in 2022 fall, but I find it difficult to get funding as a non-European international student. Any advice! Many thanks in advance.

5th March 2022 at 1:32 pm

Hello, I am a Chinese student. If I am admitted to a PhD programme of Newcastle University in 2022 fall, but I have not applied for CSC, and the program I applied for is not a full prize program, what other subsidies can I apply for?Any advice! Thank you very much in advance!

10th June 2022 at 6:13 am

I am interested in fully funded PhD, I am a master student in de Montfort university presently.

22nd June 2022 at 5:13 pm

My name is Esther, a Nigerian. I am looking for a PHD in Gender studies and Food Economics, please i will appreciate your kind assistance.

31st January 2023 at 2:57 am

I am a Nigerian and will be taking a Ph. D in UK or any European country soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in Urban and Regional Planning with specialty in Landscaping and Transportation. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated.

7th October 2023 at 4:31 pm

My name is Jingrong, a Chinese student. I am a PhD student in the University of Bristol presently, my research is based on the remanufacturing operations. I am interested in some related funding.

13th August 2022 at 5:50 pm

My name is Bulea Christopher, I am seeking to do PhD in Organizational leadership and management. I shall be grateful.

19th October 2022 at 1:31 pm

I am Nigeria and will be taking a Ph. D in UK soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in renewable energy system of technology. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated. Thanks

31st October 2022 at 8:58 am

My name is Nkomo Dalubuhle from Zimbabwe lm looking for a PHD in curriculum studies in education

18th November 2022 at 3:51 am

I am from Pakistan and want to apply for PhD programme at the University of Staffordshire UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

21st October 2023 at 3:56 pm

I am master’s in special education from pakistan.i required fully funded uni of this field.

14th March 2024 at 8:01 am

I’m a Tunisian student who has been accepted into a PhD program at Newcastle University for 2024, specializing in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a master’s degree program at the University of East Anglia, focusing on Rural Development. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to secure funding for either program. Do you have any advice on what steps I can take or where I can apply for funding? Thank you in advance!

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Four-year PhD Studentships in Science (Closed)

This scheme offers graduates outstanding training in scientific research.

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We're changing our funding schemes

The way we fund research is changing  to support our  new strategy . 

Current science PhD programmes will continue to recruit PhD researchers up to 2024.

Scheme at a glance  

This scheme is now closed.

Studentship stipend, fees and other costs

Eligibility and suitability  

Who can and can't apply show, who can apply.

You can apply for a studentship on one of Wellcome's four-year programmes if you're a graduate or student who has, or expects to obtain, a degree (or equivalent for EU and overseas candidates) in a relevant subject.

Candidates with other relevant qualifications or research experience may also be eligible.

For more information about eligibility, contact the individual programmes listed in the 'How to apply' section on this page.

Who can't apply

You can't apply to carry out activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China.

What we offer  

Supported costs and expenses show.

A Four-year PhD Studentship in Science includes support for:

a studentship stipend Show

Our new phd studentship stipend scales from 1 october 2023 are:  .

If you're based outside London:

If you're based in London:

Our PhD studentship stipend scales from before 1 October 2023 are:

Phd registration fees at the home (uk) rate show.

Nationals of the UK and Republic of Ireland are eligible to pay home fees.

Nationals of all other high-income countries will need to pay international fees. From 1 January 2021, this also includes EU and EEA nationals.

We recommend that you check with the relevant programme to see what fees you will need to pay.

college fees (where required)

Laboratory rotation expenses, if required, research expenses, transferable skills training, travel costs, including registration fees and carbon offset costs, and childcare or any other caring responsibility cost show.

Find out about claiming the costs to  offset the carbon emissions of your travel  and cover  childcare or any other caring responsibilities .

transition costs at the end of the studentship to help you move to the next stage of your career

The studentship may be held on a part-time basis.

How to apply  

Individual programmes show.

To apply for a Four-year PhD Studentship in Science, contact one of the programmes below. Please don't apply to Wellcome.

Health Data Research UK

• The HDRUK/Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science

King's College London

• Advanced Therapies for Regenerative Medicine
• Neuro-Immune Interactions in Health and Disease

Queen Mary University of London

• Health Data in Practice: Human-centred science    

University College London

• Optical Biology
• UCL Wellcome 4-year PhD in Mental Health Science

University of Bristol

• Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology
• Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology

University of Cambridge

• Wellcome Four Year PhD Programme in Stem Cell Biology and Medicine

University of Dundee    

• Dundee Training Programme in Integrated Molecular, Cellular and Translational Biology

University of East Anglia

• EDESIA: Plants, Food and Health: a cross-disciplinary PhD programme from Crop to Clinic

University of Edinburgh

• Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health
• Integrative Cell Mechanisms (iCM)
• One Health Models of Disease: Science, Ethics and Society
• Translational Neuroscience 2 (TN2)

University of Glasgow

• Integrative Infection Biology - Mechanisms and Control of Disease  

University of Leicester

• Genomic Epidemiology and Public Health Genomics

University of Manchester

• Immunomatrix in Complex Disease (ICD)

University of Nottingham

• Drug Discovery and Team Science

University of Oxford

• Cellular Structural Biology
• Chemistry in Cells – New Technologies to Probe Complex Biology and Medicine
• Genomic Medicine and Statistics

University of Sheffield     

• Wellcome Trust Doctoral Training Centre in Public Health, Economics and Decision Science (PHEDS)

In addition, we also fund four-year PhD programmes at the  Wellcome Sanger Institute  and the  Sainsbury Wellcome Centre . Please contact the programmes directly for more information.

Key dates  

Individual PhD programmes recruit students annually.

Recruitment

Programmes start, more information  .

Read  Wellcome's review of PhD training in biomedical research .

See a list of  Non-recruiting Four-year PhD Programmes in Science [PDF 23KB]

If you have a question about your application, contact the relevant university PhD programme. 

Other schemes  

Phd fellowships for health professionals.

Wellcome’s PhD Programmes for Health Professionals offer health professionals outstanding research training in supportive and inclusive research environments. Fellowships supported through these programmes aim to create knowledge, build research capability and train a diverse group of future leaders in clinical academia, within a positive research culture.

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

• Postgraduate Research home

PhD funding

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

• Funded centres
• Funding by faculty
• EPSRC Studentships
• Black British Researchers Studentships
• CSC Scholarships
• Exeter Paris-Saclay Studentships
• Alternative funding

How can I fund my PhD?

There are all sorts of ways to fund your research degree, including research council studentships, career development loans, and employer sponsorship. These web pages will help you understand what kinds of funding are available, when it is released and how you can apply for it.

Before you start looking into how to get funding, remember to consider   how much a research degree is likely to cost.

It is always a good idea to contact the Postgraduate Research team in the   Faculty or Academic department  you are interested in studying in for details of their specific funding opportunities.

Funding postgraduate research degrees

University funding for PhDs

Class of 2021 Postgraduate Progression Award

We are pleased to offer graduating University of Exeter students completing their degree this summer and progressing direct to a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2021/22 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students.

Please visit our   Class of 2021 Progression Award page   to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply .

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer other University of Exeter alumni beginning a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2021/22 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students. The scholarship is available to any University of Exeter graduate who has completed one of the following:

• graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree awarded by the University of Exeter
• completed an inbound Study Abroad semester/year at the University of Exeter
• completed a credit-bearing University of Exeter International Summer School

Please visit our   Alumni Scholarship page   to learn more.

Alumni and Class of 2021 Progression Scholarship 2021 T&Cs 20 Oct 2020 .

QUEX Institute Partnership with The University of Queensland

The University of Exeter and The University of Queensland have partnered to establish the QUEX Institute, a multi-million pound partnership designed to bolster their joint global research impact.

The partnership will strengthen a joint commitment to co-produce research of the highest quality, boost industry and business collaboration, and publish high-level policy reports designed to inform and shape key government initiatives across the globe.

Each year, 6 generous, fully-funded studentships are available for the best applicants, 3 offered by the University of Exeter and 3 by the University of Queensland. This select group will have the chance to study in the UK and Australia, and will graduate with a double degree from the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland.

How much?   Full tuition fees, stipend of £15,000 p.a, travel funds of up to £15,000, and RTSG of up to £15,000 are available over the 3 year programme

Who is eligible?  Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

When is it available?  Applications for 2022/23 entry are now closed. 

For more information about the partnership, please visit the   QUEX pages .

University of Exeter Sanctuary Scholarships

The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study at the University of Exeter.  To find out more, check eligibility and apply, please see the  Sanctuary Scholarships  page on our funding database.

Research council PhD studentships

How much?   Full tuition fees and a generous living allowance (approximate total £20,000 per year) 

Who is eligible?  Home and International students with outstanding academic records

When is it available?   Autumn to early spring

Research Council-funded PhD studentships generally pay your tuition fees (usually in the region of £4,500 to £5,000 per year) as well as providing a generous living allowance (approximately £17,668 per year) enabling you to concentrate fully on your research full-time. Because of this, Research Council studentships are very desirable and highly competitive.

There are seven research councils in the UK which distribute government funding for research. They are presided over by   Research Councils UK , and each one faces a different area of research. In alphabetical order, they are:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council   (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council   (BBSRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council   (EPSRC)
• Economic and Social Research Council   (ESRC)
• Medical Research Council   (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council   (NERC)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council   (STFC)

Please be aware that the specific subjects covered by each council can and do overlap in some instances, depending on specific topics, for instance, History can fall under both the ESRC and the AHRC depending on the precise topic.

Types of award

Research Council studentships generally come in three kinds: open awards; thematic awards; and project awards. Awards given in the humanities and social sciences are usually open or thematic, meaning they are open to any pitch relevant to the specific funding council, or else are tied to a specific research area within the funding council - for instance the medical humanities.

Awards given in the sciences are usually project-based, and can be highly specific; rather than applying for funding to research your own idea, you are essentially applying for a place working on a pre-defined research project, such as genome sequencing a specific organism.

Who is eligible?

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award – both the stipend to support living costs, and fees at the UK research organisation rate.

This is a change in the criteria and will come into force for the start of the 2021 academic year.  Please note up to 30% of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals.

If you have any queries about your residency status, you should speak to the appointed contact for the individual studentship before applying.

For the academic criteria, applicants should have a first or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Equivalence may be demonstrated by qualifications gained outside of the UK or an undergraduate degree plus relevant postgraduate study, or experience in their chosen field.

Where can I find PhD studentships?

Research Council studentships are listed on the relevant  Doctoral Training Partnership  and  research topic  pages. In addition, all our current PhD studentship opportunities are searchable via the search box available on every page of this Postgraduate Research site. You will find them listed in the 'PhD Projects' tab in the search results page.

When are studentships available? 

Research Council studentships are generally open for applications during   autumn and winter , although deadlines vary and some can be as late as April. Because they are competitive and attract the very best-qualified students, it is best to start looking, and be ready to apply, from September. This means you may need to start considering funding for your PhD before teaching for your Masters has even begun, if you wish to progress directly from a taught postgraduate programme to a research degree.

Doctoral Training Partnerships

The vast majority of funding for PhDs that comes from the research councils is via Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These are consortia of universities who together receive bulk funding for research into specific areas. By sharing resources, expertise, and facilities, Doctoral Training Partnerships can provide outstanding support and training for PhD candidates researching within them. Most Doctoral Training Partnership-funded PhDs work on a joint-supervision basis, where your primary supervisor is from one institution and your secondary supervisor is from another.

The University of Exeter is a partner in numerous  Doctoral Training Partnerships , and is one of very few universities to be part of partnerships facing every research council.

How much?   Up to £27,892 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2022

Who is eligible?   UK nationals and Irish citizens, or those with 'settled status'

How do I pay it back?  Once you are earning over £21,000 a year, you will pay back six percent of your income each year. If you already have a Postgraduate Master’s Loan then you’ll make a combined repayment of six percent covering both postgraduate loans.

Full information can be found at   Gov.uk .

Funding solely for international students

As an international student your first action when looking for PhD funding should be to check grant-awarding bodies in your own country (for instance the Ministry or Department of Education), and your local (or nearest) office of   the British Council . The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you.

As with anyone seeking funding for a PhD, it is also worth contacting the department you with to study within, to find out more about internal funding opportunities available to outstanding candidates.

Funding opportunities for international PhD students are subject to the usual rules regarding   immigration and visas .

All International Students

British Chevening Scholarships

For students wishing to follow full-time taught or research postgraduate-level courses in any subject at UK universities or colleges in the public sector. Most scholarships are mainly for one year, but awards are also occasionally given for shorter vocational courses/research attachments. Awards are given to cover all or part of the cost of the period of study. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

British Council Fellowship Programmes

Full scholarships for professionals in fields considered by the British Council to be of special importance in the candidate's own country. Grants are for postgraduate study or research and range from short attachments to research leading to a PhD. Grants vary in size – from small grants to fellowships which will cover fees and living expenses. For details, contact the British Council in your own country, or write to: Fellows and Scholars Department, The British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN (tel: 020 7930 8466) or International Student Services Unit, Regional Services Dept, The British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB (tel: 0161 957 7000).

Commonwealth Students

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)   is the world's first and oldest international university network, established in 1913.

A UK-registered charity, the ACU has over 500 member institutions in developed and developing countries across the Commonwealth. The ACU administers scholarships, provides academic research and leadership on issues in the sector, and promotes inter-university cooperation and the sharing of good practice – helping universities serve their communities, now and into the future.

Commonwealth Scholarship Plan

Full scholarships for Commonwealth students to enable them to study in other Commonwealth countries. Grants are for one to three years and usually cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases, additional allowances may be available for help with books and clothes. For details, write to: Commonwealth Awards Division, Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; [email protected]

For Commonwealth students specifically interested in PhD study in the UK and at the University of Exeter, Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD and split-site PhD study are available. These are aimed at talented graduates from selected countries and normally close in June for study commencing the following September. Please see the UK's   Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website   for details. 

DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme

Scholarships for students in developing Commonwealth countries for taught courses at postgraduate (or in certain cases undergraduate) level. Preferred subjects are those relevant to the economic and social development of your own country. For details, contact the British High Commission or British Council in your own country, or write to: Department for International Development, 94 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL (tel: 0300 200 3343 / +44 (0) 1355 84 3132)

Canadian students

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund   is a charity which provides funding for academically exceptional Canadian students already registered on a postgraduate programme in the UK. The programme has to be full-time and last longer than one year. For full details please   visit their website .

Chinese students

China Scholarship Council and   University of Exeter PhD Scholarships    

The Great Britain-China Educational Trust (GBCET)   administers its own awards, and also makes awards with funds contributed by the Sino-British Fellowship Trust, the Universities' China Committee in London, and the Han Suyin Trust. The awards are meant to contribute towards applicants' university tuition fees, and living expenses.

The British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS)   provides a detailed overview of the state of funding available to researchers and students for China-related studies in the UK.

European Students

European Union (EU) citizens can apply and qualify for a full award including fees and stipend for UK research council studentships.  Each consortium of UK research council studentships cannot allocate more than 30% of the total number of awards to International students, including EU citizens. 

The EU provides some grants to promote the exchange of students and academic staff within Europe, such as the SOCRATES and LEONARDO Programmes. The European Commission (EC) also makes some awards to students from developing countries. Contact the EC office in your own country or write to the European Commission, Directorate General III, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium. Further details can also be found on the   Community Research & Development Information Service (CORDIS) web site .

Research collaboration in Europe extends beyond the EU and residents of European countries with organisations affiliated to the European Science Foundation may also be eligible for certain schemes.

Indian Students

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

The major objective of the Foundation is to identify exceptionally talented young Indian students and support them financially to develop their special skill and talents to the maximum. It achieves this by awarding scholarships to outstanding young students to continue their post-graduate study/research abroad. Over the last three decades, more than 350 scholars have benefited from these scholarships.

Pakistani Students

The   Higher Education Commission   is an excellent site detailing scholarships available to Pakistani students wishing to study abroad.

USA Students

Fulbright Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States graduates to enable them to study in the UK. Write to the Graduate Students Programs, Institute of International Education (IIE), 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017- 3580, USA

British Marshall Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States citizens, who are under 26 and are graduates of United States universities, to enable them to study for a degree in the UK. For details, write to: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; tel: 020 7387 8572;   [email protected] . Application forms are available from United States universities and colleges, British Consulates General in the United States, or British Information Services, 845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA

Charities, trusts, foundations and philanthropy

How much?  Varies: from £10 to £10,000 or more 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to provider

When is it available?   Varies according to provider

If you are not one of the lucky few able to secure a fully-funded studentship, there are still lots of ways to fund your PhD. A 'portfolio funding' approach - using lots of different, small awards and sources of funding rather than relying on one source - can really help you. Applying to educational charities can be an effective way of building up a portfolio of funding.

There are all sorts of philanthropic organisations dedicated to helping people pay for educational pursuits. These vary from major charities with millions of pounds dedicated to specialist research, to small trusts offering modest grants to help pay for books or travel. Some are very niche in their remits (funding just research into specific topics, such as the   Research Society for Victorian Periodicals , or by people from specific places or social groups), and others are much more general. It is worth researching opportunities thoroughly, and writing speculative letters to appropriate bodies who may not have formal application processes.

Finding out about what opportunities are available can be tricky; many bodies have minimal websites that are not updated regularly, and some don't have websites at all. Writing, calling, or following potential funders on social media can help.

When applying, you will need to outline the case for why you deserve funding in much the same way as you would outline your academic case for being able to do a PhD. It is worthwhile mentioning if you have already secured any awards, as this demonstrates that organisations already think you are worth funding.

Print directories of funding bodies

The Grants Register is an annual publication listing charities and other bodies that provide grants, including for education. We have   copies in our libraries . We also have copies of   The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts , a similar publication.

Find out more about charities, foundations, and trusts on   our alternative funding page .

Employer sponsorship and industry funding

How much?  Varies according to sponsor 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to sponsor

When is it available?  Varies according to sponsor

Responsible employers are always keen to develop their employees through training. While a 3-4 year full-time PhD may seem like an extreme example of staff development, it’s not unheard of, especially in technology-driven businesses and the medical and legal professions. Museums and heritage groups, and tech industries working on cultural projects (such as mobile apps), are often open to funding / working with humanities researchers. We also offer specific   professional doctorates , which are studied for alongside work, in   education   and   engineering .

Getting the support of your employer is obviously key, and you’ll need to put together a proposal for your training in much the same way as you’d need to construct a business plan for any new commercial venture.

Likewise companies often approach the University of Exeter with proposals to fund research that can further their business, and often the best way of doing this is via PhD students. Specific opportunities that arise are listed in our   Postgraduate Research search  alongside other studentships, but it may be worth talking to relevant academics in your field to find out about other possibilities that could be created for outstanding candidates.

Working while studying

How much?  Varies 

Who is eligible?  Anyone

When is it available?  All year

Working full or part-time while studying for a research degree can be incredibly demanding, but is a possibility for the many academically-capable PhD candidates who just miss out on the limited funding available. Almost 90% of students funding a PhD in this way are studying part-time, for obvious reasons.

Working while studying can also help give you key work-related skills that might be quite different to those you gain as a researcher, but just as valuable to future employers. It can also, crucially, give you a much-needed break from the intensity of PhD research.

There are several things you will need to consider. For instance, the University has   regulations on how many hours you can work alongside your studies . You will also need to make sure your employer is understanding regarding the demands that your studies will make on your time; while some research degrees allow for great flexibility of time, others will demand your presence at specific times in laboratories or workshops.

There are several opportunities to work here at the University itself while studying for a PhD, such as being a   Residence Life Mentor , or through the   Temporary Staff Bank .

Private loan providers

Some financial institutions offer specialist loans for postgraduate students. An internet search may help you identify any potential schemes, but please be aware of the terms and conditions of the scheme and the annual percentage rate in order to identify the total cost of your loan.

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Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

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PhD studentships

If you're looking to get PhD funding for a specific research project or field of study, Doctoral studentships can provide you with either a partially or fully-funded PhD

Who awards PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are most commonly awarded by the UK's seven Research Councils in the form of Research Council grants , with research funding overseen by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

Individual UK universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to PhD students, while many professional bodies fund Doctoral research in collaboration with these academic institutions.

For instance, research awards are offered by the following engineering organisations:

• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - QUEST scholarships
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Additionally, Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) can be part-funded by any non-academic body. These four-year PhDs require the student to work at the organisation for at least three months.

You can also apply for funded PhD opportunities through many charities, foundations and trusts, including:

• Action Medical Research
• Alzheimer's Society
• British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
• British Heart Foundation (BHF)
• Cancer Research UK
• Diabetes UK
• Rosetrees Trust - PhD Plus
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Wellcome Trust

Before you start applying for a funded PhD, it's always a good idea to discuss this with a prospective supervisor first, as they're often able to provide tips on maximising the likelihood of receiving financial support.

How much can I receive?

Many PhD studentships, including those offered by universities, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts, provide three years' funding paid at a similar rate to the Research Council grant:

• Fees-only studentship - These cover a student's tuition fees, plus any associated project and training costs (a minimum of £4,786 per year).
• Full studentship - These add a non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grant known as a 'stipend'. In 2024/25, this is worth a minimum of £19,237 and it can be used towards living costs - see UKRI - Find studentships and Doctoral training .

For example, a University of Manchester School of Social Sciences PhD studentship includes tuition fees for three-and-a-half years and a maintenance grant of £16,062 (2022/23 rate) per year for living expenses, plus associated research costs - such as fieldwork and attending conferences - from the Research Training Support Grant.

However, you should be aware that some PhD studentship recipients are required to teach undergraduates. While this provides an excellent opportunity to gain vital employability skills, it can also be hugely time-consuming. You must be satisfied that tutoring won't negatively affect the quality of your research before accepting your place.

Is my programme eligible for a PhD studentship?

PhD studentships can start at any time of the year, but most begin in September, October or January.

Certain types of PhD, for example professional Doctorates, may not be eligible for a PhD studentship. The same applies to part-time or distance learning options.

Am I eligible?

PhD studentships typically demand that applicants have a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above, plus a relevant Masters degree or professional experience at that level of study.

Those who already possess a PhD are often ineligible, while some PhD studentships are limited to students fitting certain criteria - for example, those from a disadvantaged background, from a certain country or of a certain ethnicity.

If you're a European Union (EU) national, you'll need to have settled or pre-settled status under the government's EU Settlement Scheme to be eligible for student finance in this country - and this includes PhD studentships.

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application process can be lengthy, and competition is fierce.

Some PhD students will be automatically considered for financial support once they've been accepted by an institution, but many are required to make separate PhD funding applications. These are usually made directly to the university - even for those studentships from Research Councils, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts.

You'll typically be asked for your PhD application form, a research proposal , a cover letter and your references. After the institution has reviewed your application, you may be invited to interview.

Throughout this process, the university will scrutinise what you'll bring to the institution. Applicants at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), for example, are judged on:

• the quality of their research project and how it connects with research currently being undertaken at the institution
• how appropriate the supervisory team is
• their calibre, academic qualifications and academic/research experience
• whether the research can contribute towards the Research Excellence Framework (REF), meaning that interdisciplinary research will be preferred.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You can improve your chances of success by:

• asking a friend or family member to proofread your application
• carefully choosing your referees, ensuring that they'll speak positively of you
• discussing your draft application with a relevant academic
• explaining how your work will be unique and innovative
• following the funding body's guidance regarding word counts and formatting.

What other PhD funding is available?

If you're unsuccessful with your PhD studentship application, you could consider:

• crowdfunding
• employer sponsorship
• PhD loans .

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• Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering >
• PhD Program >

All PhD students in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering are fully funded.

Research and Teaching Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available to academically qualified students and provide a stipend and tuition scholarships. Assistantships usually require 15 to 20 hours per week in a teaching or research role depending on department or faculty needs. Summer opportunities are also available, providing valuable experience as well as additional financial support. New students should indicate they wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship on their application. Continuing students should speak with their academic advisor or the director of graduate studies to be considered for funding. 

Tuition Scholarships

Students who receive graduate assistantships are provided with a tuition scholarship for each semester they receive an assistantship. The scholarship covers the minimum number of credits necessary to maintain full time status (typically, 9 credits or less per semester) and is limited to courses that can be applied to the ISE degree. In some cases tuition scholarships may be provided to students who do not hold an assistantship. Contact the graduate director for details. 

Limits on Tuition Scholarships

The maximum limit for a tuition scholarship for students in the PhD program is 72 credit hours (minus transfer credits). Up to three (3) credit hours of required remedial language may be excluded from the above maximums. Up to six (6) credit hours for undergraduate courses taken while in a graduate program of study may be excluded from the above maximums even though they do not count as degree requirements as long as they are recommended in writing by a graduate advisor.

The above maximum for the PhD program includes all credit hours of a student's graduate program regardless of the payment source for the tuition. Essentially, the first 72 hours taken towards a PhD degree are eligible for a tuition scholarship. Credit hours paid for by another division (other than the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) of the university or by the student are explicitly counted in the maximums.

Students wishing to pursue degrees outside of ISE while completing an IE PhD degree should speak with the graduate director about tuition funding: generally ISE will not pay for any credits that will be applied to the second program , and students must be prepared to fund those credits themselves. 

Out-of-state students receiving a tuition scholarship are expected to apply for and obtain NYS residency as soon as they are eligible; tuition scholarships may be limited to in-state rates (for those students eligible for residency).

Scholarships and Fellowships

Applicants are considered for a number of graduate fellowships from UB, SEAS, and ISE at the time of application. 

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers competitive fellowship packages designed to attract the best and brightest.

• 11/21/22 Learn more about the PhD Excellence Initiative

Bristol Doctoral College

Bristol has one of the largest concentrations of funding and support for postgraduate research in the UK. Here is an overview of funding options and some tips for exploring funding to support your postgraduate research programme.

Overview of funding

Scholarships.

The University offers a number of funded postgraduate research scholarships for outstanding applicants in all faculties. All of the scholarships available are listed in the online search facility - just use the ‘Research postgraduate’ filter on the form to see a full list of what’s available for postgraduate research students. Awards normally cover full tuition fees and a stipend paid at the  UK Research Council rate , although this can vary according to faculty.

Search the Student Funding database

Studentships

More than 300 funded PhD studentships are available across our six faculties for outstanding students. These vacancies will usually cover tuition fees as well a monthly stipend to cover living costs. They are attached to specific research projects or fields and are advertised individually on school and faculty webpages, or searchable on the jobs.ac.uk web pages.

Search for studentships on jobs.ac.uk

Opportunity Bristol

Opportunity Bristol provides financial support to UK students from Black backgrounds to undertake a research-related Masters degree. The scholarship scheme supports  students in the transition from undergraduate to PhD-level  study. The scheme aims to place students in a better position to pursue a career in research  by supporting their studies at m asters  level.  

Find out more about Opportunity Bristol

Visiting Ukrainian Doctoral Studentships

In 2022, the University of Bristol is offering eight studentships to doctoral students from Ukrainian universities for 6 months.

Find out more

Cohort-based doctoral training

We currently have 29 funded Doctoral Training Centres offering excellent funded postgraduate research opportunities and a wide range of skills training. Funded studentships on these programmes offer the chance to study as part of a cohort of researchers and usually cover fees and living costs. PhD students within these cohorts gain a broad range of skills and knowledge that can be applied across a wide variety of careers within and outside of academia.

Search cohort-based doctoral training

Self-funded study

If you intend to fund yourself through your postgraduate research programme, you might be considering studying part-time in order to work alongside your research to help fund your living costs. Find out more about the cost of living in Bristol .

Doctoral loans

For self-funded postgraduate research students, the UK Government has announced new doctoral loans of up to £25,000 over the duration of a postgraduate research programme. UK nationals who are ordinarily resident in England, aged 59 or under, who are not already receiving funding via a UK Research Council, are eligible. The government is currently considering making EU students eligible.

Doctoral study loans

Employer sponsorship

It might be possible for your employer or company to support your doctoral studies, particularly if the research is valuable and relevant for your employer. Securing sponsorship for your PhD can give you financial support while your employer could benefit from the research you undertake and the skills you bring back to your company.

The Bristol Doctoral College supports opportunities within this portfolio of work and can advise interested applicants further.

Contact us for further information

Funding tips

For further resources, recommendations, and all-things-money related to research degrees, check out our funding tips .

• Guide to STFC PhD Funding
• Funding a PhD

Introduction to STFC

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) holds an integral position within the United Kingdom’s research and innovation landscape.

Acting as the main source of funding for technology-based science research, STFC is one of seven Research Councils under UK Research and Innovation . It plays an important role in shaping and driving the research agenda in the UK and beyond. Part of its mandate involves developing and operating large-scale facilities and crucial scientific infrastructure that serve various research disciplines, demonstrated by its role in distributing research council funding as STFC PhD funding .

For those pursuing a research degree, understanding the role of STFC becomes particularly relevant. At present, according to UKRI.org , STFC supports a cohort of 766 PhD students! This impressive figure underscores STFC’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific innovators. The organisation recognises that the provision of STFC PhD funding forms a vital cornerstone in the country’s growth and development of research.

Understanding STFC PhD Funding

To understand how STFC PhD studentships work, we’ll need to dive into the financial aspects of the support provided. These studentships cover a range of expenses, including fees, maintenance, materials, consumables, and training .

On a yearly basis, STFC provides £4,596 as a fee payment, £17,668 as a doctoral stipend, and £1000 as a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) . These figures account for tuition fee coverage and the annual stipend for living costs . Additionally, as will be covered in more detail later, the STFC may also provide £230 towards the cost of conference fees and undertaking UK fieldwork, as well as Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA). This additional funding forms an important part of the comprehensive financial support package that constitutes an STFC PhD studentship .

The aim here is to provide sufficient support to cover a significant proportion of the maintenance allowance necessary for students to focus on their research. It’s a broad financial umbrella that seeks to ease the financial pressure on students, enabling them to concentrate fully on their research projects.

Breakdown of STFC PhD Funding:

Funded PhD Subjects by STFC

STFC supports a broad spectrum of disciplines, primarily within the realm of Physical Sciences. The range of supported subjects include:

• Accelerator Science
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Gravitational Wave Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Machine Learning
• Solar and Planetary Science

A degree in physics or a closely relevant subject can open the door to STFC funding in these areas. Whether your interest lies in particle physics , nuclear physics , or planetary science , among others, STFC funding can provide the necessary resources to deepen your research. It is important to note that space and space science are core elements within these research disciplines, further extending the range of study areas covered by STFC funding.

The STFC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs)

A substantial portion of STFC funding is distributed through Doctoral Training Partnerships . These partnerships represent crucial funding opportunities for those seeking to further their academic pursuits.

The doctoral training partnership forms a key pillar in STFC’s strategy to support and nurture research talent in the UK. By connecting multiple institutions and establishing a network of PhD programmes , these partnerships aim to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their respective research areas. In this regard, the partnerships operate in much the same way as the Centres for Doctoral Training , another important funding mechanism provided by the funding body .

STFC iCASE Studentships

For those interested in collaborating with non-academic partners, STFC offers the iCASE studentships . These unique opportunities allow for increased cooperation and exchange between academic and non-academic entities. It is worth noting that both Industrial CASE and Industrial CASE-Plus awards necessitate financial contributions from the non-academic partner.

Regarding financial commitments, the non-academic partner contributes an annual £1,400 towards the academic research organisation for the project (this does not apply to SMEs). Moreover, this partner is also responsible for covering any extra cost associated with travel and accommodation. The student, in turn, receives a minimum of £2,760 annually from the partner, again, with an exception for SMEs.

The Industrial CASE-Plus programme comes with an additional perk. Here, the non-academic partner pays 50% of the student’s salary in the additional year (up to £14,250). And in case the non-academic partner withdraws, STFC provides an Industrial CASE addition of £615 per year to the student. These arrangements offer academic researchers a wide range of benefits and enhance their prospects by widening their living expenses coverage.

STFC Centres for Doctoral Training

An alternate avenue for students to secure STFC funding is through the STFC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) . Universities or networks of research organisations set up these centres; each Centre for Doctoral Training focuses on a specific range of subject areas, making them highly specialised hubs of research and learning.

CDTs aim to provide comprehensive training to graduate students , setting them up for a successful research career in their chosen fields. Just like the research councils , these centres offer research council studentships . As such, your academic transcripts play a crucial role in securing a position within these prestigious training centres.

Eligibility Criteria for STFC Funding

STFC PhD funding is open to a wide range of applicants. This includes UK, international, and EU students. However, there are specific criteria that applicants need to meet.

An STFC PhD student can’t work full-time, however, they may possibly  be able to work part-time under certain conditions. Moreover, STFC PhD studentships cannot be combined with a UK doctoral loan. This is because these funding mechanisms are designed as fully funded scholarships , covering most of a student’s PhD scholarship expenses. Whether you’re an overseas student or a domestic one, or only hold an undergraduate degree, STFC provides equal funding opportunities to all UK applicants.

Application Process for STFC Funding

When it comes to applying for STFC funding , the process starts with looking for advertised projects on DTP and CDT websites . These PhD projects come with predefined questions, goals, and aims that applicants need to be aware of.

The typical PhD application includes a personal statement, covering letter, and CV with references. Note that the application deadline for these scholarships can vary greatly. They may be year-round or set to specific dates depending on the specific PhD programme.

Here are some tips for winning STFC PhD funding:

• Contact potential supervisors before applying.
• Keep your application form and other application materials up to date.
• Give yourself ample time to prepare your application.
• Research thoroughly the area you’re applying to work on.

Payment Details for STFC Funding

As mentioned earlier, STFC provides:

• an annual fee payment of £4,596,
• a doctoral stipend of £17,668, and
• a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £1,000.

In addition to these, STFC may also provide a contribution of £230 towards conference fees and UK fieldwork, as well as Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA). These arrangements ensure that students are fully funded and can focus solely on their research.

As mentioned before, the specifics of these payments make STFC one of the most generous funding providers in the United Kingdom. From covering UK tuition fees to providing a comprehensive PhD studentship , STFC supports students throughout their relevant project journey.

The Disabled Students’ Allowance

For disabled students, the STFC provides additional support. STFC-funded PhD students with disabilities can contact their research organisation for guidance and advice. The specific awards under the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) can vary, but they can be estimated using the guidance provided on the GOV.UK website. These arrangements ensure that students with disabilities can fully participate and excel in their STFC PhD studentship .

Overseas Fieldwork Opportunities

Apart from offering strong funding opportunities, the STFC also provides unique chances for students to participate in overseas fieldwork. As part of this initiative, STFC may provide a contribution of £230 towards conference fees and UK fieldwork. This means you can focus on your research without worrying about financial constraints.

This commitment to fostering a wide-ranging learning environment makes STFC one of the most coveted research council funding bodies in the United Kingdom . Whether you’re studying gravitational waves or any other relevant subject, STFC provides a solid platform for UK applicants and international students alike to advance their research career.

The STFC represents a unique opportunity for ambitious researchers in the physical sciences to pursue a fully-funded PhD. Whether through the traditional research council route, Doctoral Training Partnerships , or Centres for Doctoral Training , the STFC provides a variety of avenues to obtain support and further your scientific career.

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• Corporate information

Open Innovation Team PhD Placement Scheme

We’ve hosted more than 100 PhD students since 2016, with many going on to policy jobs in government and think tanks

Apply here for our 2023-24 placement scheme. All applications should be submitted by 11:59pm on 18 June 2023. Entries to the scheme received after this date may not be considered.

More information

The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, housing, foreign policy, digital transformation and many others.

For years now, PhD students have played an important role in helping us deliver policy projects, working alongside experienced officials, academics and other experts to deliver the highest quality analysis and advice to colleagues across government.

Our PhD placements run all year, with two recruitment rounds in June and October. We usually have 6-8 PhD students working alongside our permanent staff at any one time. Placements normally last three months, with around 30 placement opportunities each year.

Successful applicants can expect to work on a diverse range of policy projects and are not expected to have prior experience of policy or knowledge of the policy area they are asked to work on.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds - diversity of thought and experience is one of the many strengths of our team.

Find out what our previous PhD placement students thought of their time with the Open Innovation Team here .

Successful applicants should expect to:

• make significant contributions to the policy work the team carries out
• help plan and deliver our events, bringing together academic experts and policymakers to work through policy problems
• assess and synthesise expert evidence and research, and learn how to present this for policymaking audiences

Students will also get the chance to help the team raise its profile, create new products and services for policy colleagues and deliver training and advice to academics.

All PhD placement work aims to build skills and provide students with an insight to what it’s like to work on policy and in government. More than 20 former placement students have since gone on to jobs in policy.

Essential conditions for applicants

To be considered, you must ordinarily be studying on a PhD programme at a UK university, and be in a position to take up any placement prior to any expected viva date. The placements are full time for the 3 month period.

Successful applicants, on receipt of a placement offer, will be expected to be able to pass BPSS security clearance and secure funding to cover the cost of the placement from their university, PhD funding body or other suitable organisation.

Additional information

For more information, visit our additional information page . For anything not covered, please contact [email protected] . Please note that we are unable to accept applications via email, all applications must be via the application form .

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PhD students earn top National Science Foundation fellowships

The national awards recognize and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

PhD students Caleb Song and Jennifer Wu are each receiving the honor for 2024. Find out more about their research below.

Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.

Two mechanical engineering PhD students, Alex Hedrick and Carly Rowe, also received honorable mentions from the National Science Foundation program.

2024 GRFP Honorees

2nd Year PhD Student

Advisor: John Pellegrino Lab:  Membrane Science & Technology

I did my undergrad in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech before coming to Boulder for my PhD in Mechanical Engineering. For the past two years, I've been working on the characterization, tuning, and scale-up of graphene-based membrane electrodes (grMEs). The funding from the GRFP will allow me to pursue low technology readiness level (TRL) electrochemical device development using these grMEs. In particular, I plan on exploring hybrid electrophoretic/size exclusion-based separations for biopharmaceutical development and processing.

Jennifer Wu

Fall 2024 Incoming PhD Student

Advisor: Daven Henze Lab: Henze Group

My research will involve using computer simulations and environmental observations to investigate the impact of atmospheric constituents on air quality and climate change. By coupling satellite observations with state-of-the-art air pollution models, I aim to provide more accurate estimates of emissions to better inform climate and public health policy. Previously at Caltech, I worked closely with scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in analyzing methane and carbon monoxide measurements in the Los Angeles Basin.

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