Doctoral training centres and partnerships

About the project

As a research-intensive university, Reading has partnered successfully with a number of other institutions to bid for funding from UK Research Councils, charities and trusts in order to form highly respected doctoral training centres for postgraduate researchers.

In addition to specialised training, these collaborations offer you the chance to compete for funding across a range of areas. The partnerships and centres with which we are involved are listed here.

Partnerships open for new recruitment

UKRI funding only covers Home fees which increase annually. International students may still apply to our training centres and partnerships, but will be required to meet the difference between the International and Home student fees themselves.

Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction

The Research Programme on Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP) is a £30 million 15-year investment by the University of Reading in partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts (ECMWF) , the UK Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science . It aims at enhancing our capabilities in global data assimilation, simulation and analysis to deliver a new class of accurate, reliable and usable forecasts, with a wide range of novel scientific and societal applications.

Earth System Prediction - Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP)

AI-INTERVENE Doctoral Focal Award (NERC)

The core partners of this DFA – the University of Reading, University College London, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Zoological Society of London, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology -- bring an unparalleled breadth and depth of AI and biodiversity expertise, data and access to state-of-the-art hubs and hosting facilities. This is a revolutionary doctoral training programme which aims to produce a new generation of AI-empowered data scientists equipped with the required AI expertise, data science tools, ecological knowledge and wider interdisciplinary skillset needed to unlock the full potential of the wealth of existing and emerging sources of biodiversity data to tackle the biodiversity crisis.

AI-INTERVENE - AI for Unlocking Datasets for Biodiversity Assessment and Prediction

Arts and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards (AHRC)

The University of Reading is pleased to have been awarded funding for doctoral studentships in the Arts and Humanities through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Award scheme . These prestigious awards fund 3 doctoral studentships per year from 2026-2030 for doctoral researchers working within the arts and humanities. Studentship holders will enjoy expert supervision and will join a vibrant research community. They will have access to a range of training opportunities offered through the Landscape South doctoral training hub, which includes the universities of Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Kent, Oxford, Southampton, Sussex, The Open University, Oxford Brookes University and Royal Holloway, University of London.

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

FoodBioSystems Doctoral Landscape Award (BBSRC)

The University of Reading leads a partnership with six other universities: Aberystwyth University , Brunel University London , Cranfield University , University of Lincoln , Queen’s University Belfast , and University of Surrey . We offer four-year studentships in areas that span the food system from farm to fork. We anticipate awarding 21 studentships per year across the partner universities (including a minimum of five per year at the University of Reading).

FoodBioSystems research projects are co-supervised across two partner universities, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and excellent subject specific research training. Our doctoral researchers also take part in cohort-level training covering four key themes: food systems, big data (data analysis and modelling), business and research fundamentals. All our studentships include a professional internship.

FoodBioSystems - Doctoral Training Partnership

BBSRC Engineering Biology EngBio4GBP Doctoral Focal Award (DFA)

This partnership will equip the next generation of scientists with the interdisciplinary skills required to deploy engineering biology strategies that drive innovation across sectors from sustainable food systems to biobased manufacturing and high value chemicals. Find out more about funding from BBSRC EngBio4GBP DFA .

CROCUS: Climate system and biodiversity science for Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities – Collaborating in Understanding and Solutions (NERC)

This partnership is led by the University of Reading with Swansea University , UKCEH , BGS , NOC , Kew , NHM , IoZ , NCAS and NCEO .

Climate extremes and biodiversity loss have impelled governments and businesses worldwide to adopt ambitious Net Zero, adaptation, and restoration plans. The environment sector is developing rapidly to design, realise, and evaluate these plans, using cutting-edge science, innovation, and big data. Therefore, to help address the most pressing environmental challenges facing society, CROCUS aims to train a new generation of environmental scientists to become: interdisciplinary experts with strong quantitative skills; entrepeneurial, creative thinkers; and leaders in sustainability and inclusivity.

Crocus DLA

Mathematics for our Future Climate Centre for Doctoral Training (EPSRC)

The University of Reading participates in this consortium with Imperial College London and the University of Southampton , alongside ocean, weather and climate services and industrial partners from key sectors. It is an interdisciplinary initiative which uses mathematics to address issues arising from climate change. Funding, of four years duration, is offered for PhD projects in the following areas: mathematical theory and numerical modelling of fundamental oceanic and atmospheric processes, analysis of data and assimilation with weather and climate models, and mathematical applications related to the response to climate change.

Find out more about the MFC Centre for Doctoral Training

Net Zero Polar Science Doctoral Training Programme (NERC)

NZPS is a Doctoral Training Programme in which the University of Reading partners with Northumbria University, the University of Leeds, the University of Lancaster, and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) while also collaborating with ~42 external partners. The NZPS Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) aims to train the next generation of scientists to deliver high impact environmental science with a reduced carbon footprint, while providing opportunities for career paths in a wide range of industries and disciplines. Projects will cover all NERC science domains including atmospheric science, climate change, ecology, geosciences, environmental chemistry, hydrology, oceanography, cryosphere and terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments, with a polar focus.

Net Zero Polar Science Doctoral Training Programme

South East Doctoral Training Arc (ESRC)

The University of Reading is delighted to be part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc). This Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is a strong consortium of 6 leading universities: Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Kent, Kingston University, the University of Reading, the University of Surrey, and the University of Sussex. SEDarc DTP funding allows for innovative doctoral support for research in the social sciences. It allows for the development of broader skills through a comprehensive training programme, and the potential for experience in working outside academia through placements.

Find out more about SEDarc

The Food Consortium Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA)

This doctoral training programme brings together leading UK food manufacturers and Universities to address the challenges facing the UK food and drink sector. The consortium is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and fostering an environment where every researcher can thrive. Find out more about the Food Consortium IDLA

South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (AHRC)

As part of a consortium of eight UK universities, the University of Reading offers training and postgraduate support for doctoral students across a range of disciplines.

Collaborative Training Partnerships (BBSRC)

A total of 10 CTPs are being funded by BBSRC to carry out important scientific research in key aspects of agriculture. The University of Reading is involved in two of these.

The first, led by Waitrose, focuses on crop production, sustainable soil and ecosystem services, and also involves Rothamsted Research and the universities of Warwick and Lancaster.

The second concerns crop research and is led by Berry Gardens. Alongside Reading, it will involve the universities of Nottingham and Lancaster.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership (EPSRC)

The DTP funded a number of PhD studentships each year for research in disciplines within the Engineering and Phyical Sciences.

SCENARIO Doctoral Training Partnership (NERC)

The Postgraduate Centre in the Science of the Environment: Natural and Anthropogenic Processes, Impacts and Opportunities (SCENARIO) is a collaboration between the University of Reading, the University of Surrey, the NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the British Geological Survey.

It aims to train the next generation of doctoral researchers in the area of environmental science.

Find out more about the SCENARIO Doctoral Training Partnership

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Research areas