CENTA PhD Studentships

About the project

CENTA is a consortium of Universities and research institutes that are working together to provide excellence in doctoral research training within the remit of the Natural Environment Research Council.

Select a PhD project, check eligibility and apply Link opens in a new window

Interview date: week commencing 8 February 2027 - exact dates tbc

CENTA Science Opportunity Scholarships Link opens in a new window (CSOS)

Funded studentships available to BAME Home-award-eligible applicants who meet the academic requirements.

Apply directly to CENTA.

Application deadline: 4 January 2027 (23:59 GMT)

Funding

Funding includes:

• Payment of Tuition Fees
• Annual stipend for 3.5 years, set at £21,805 for academic year 2026/27
• Research training support grant (RTSG) of £8,000

CENTA Science Opportunity Scholarships (CSOS)

We recognise that our PhD cohorts are not as diverse as the talented pool of students that are eligible for our studentships. CENTA has up to 3 fully-funded studentships available to BAME Home-award-eligible applicants who meet the academic requirements. Applications for this scholarship should be made directly to CENTA Link opens in a new window .

Training

Visit the CENTA Website Link opens in a new window for more details of the CENTA consortium and the training programme.

CENTA offers training in both scientific and non-scientific areas across four training categories, which are:

This includes scientific and technical skills training, fieldwork training, statistics, software training etc.

This includes skills necessary to facilitate research, such as Research Ethics, Budgeting, Intellectual Property and more.

These are the skills necessary to maximise the communication and societal impact of science – publishing, policy, teaching, industrial engagement and more.

At CENTA, we believe that researchers who are supported and empowered to reach their full personal potential will be the most impactful scientists. Personal effectiveness training focuses on self-development of skills such as leadership, confidence and teamwork, as well as ways to support good mental health and EDI practice.

• Theme Science and Technical Skills
• Research Management
• Engagement, Impact and Enterprise
• Personal Effectiveness

Eligibility

UK and International students are eligible to apply for fully funded CENTA studentships.

UKRI/NERC funding will provide annual stipend for living costs and tuition fees at the UK rate. The difference between UK tuition fee rate and international tuition fee rate will be covered by University funding.

Successful International candidates would need to cover all other costs themselves including Health Surcharge, visa and flights.

Check the eligibility page Link opens in a new window

• Home (UK) students who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years can apply for full awards covering tuition fees and annual stipend for living costs.
• International students (including EU Students) can apply for jointly funded awards covering tuition fees in full and annual stipend for living costs.

Research areas