Mathematics for our Future Climate

About the project

We are delighted to be part of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in the Mathematics for our Future Climate (MFC CDT). This is an interdisciplinary initiative that harnesses mathematics to address the issues presented by climate change.

Mathematics for our Future Climate CDT is part of the UK TechFirst Doctoral Phase 2 funding scheme , offering an enhanced annual stipend of £30,000 per year for students eligible for home fee status .

About the Mathematics for our Future Climate initiative

By joining our community, you will embark on a journey of research, collaboration, and hands-on experience in shaping the future of our planet.

Based in Reading, you will be part of a student cohort that this doctoral training programme will equip with skills in:

PhD project areas are split into:

We are accepting applications for 2027 entry with a first application deadline of Sunday 8 November 2026.

• theory for climate science
• (geo)physical sciences
• scientific computing
• statistics and data analysis.
• mathematical theory and numerical modelling of fundamental oceanic and atmospheric processes
• analysis of data and assimilation with weather and climate models
• mathematical applications related to the response to climate change.
• Read about potential PhD projects for 2027 entry
• Find out more about the MFC CDT programme .

Our partners

The MFC CDT programme involves:

Note that you should make separate applications to each of the three institutions that you are interested in.

• Imperial College London, the University of Reading and the University of Southampton
• ocean, weather and climate services, including the National Oceanography Centre, the National Centre for Earth Observations, the UK Meteorological Office, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
• industrial partners from key sectors of the UK economy, notably insurance, energy, water, and marine sectors.

How to apply

Applications must be made online using the online application portal (link provided at the end of this page).

Candidates should hold a master’s in mathematics (this includes an MMath), or a related field with a strong mathematics content by the start of the PhD programme. We also encourage applications from individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree followed by substantial, highly relevant work or research experience.

We are accepting applications for September 2027 entry (see the Deadlines for 2027 entry section).

We encourage prospective candidates to apply as early as possible, as applications will not be accepted once all the places have been filled. This is a competitive process, and places are limited by the funding available.

All applications are made to the MFC CDT programme (not to individual projects). After the appropriate application deadline, we will review your application. It will either be rejected, or you will be invited to attend a short online first-round interview. If this is successful, we will send you information about the available projects and ask you to select which project(s) are of interest to you.

The supervisors of these projects will decide if they would like to interview you. They will then recommend whether you should be offered a place on the MFC CDT programme to work on their proposed PhD project.

Deadlines for 2027 entry

Start your application by creating an account on the online application portal. Once your account has been created, you will receive an email acknowledgment and a link to the RISIS portal, which you will need to make your application. Note: the portal can be slow so please be patient and complete all sections.

Having logged into the RISIS system, choose:

You will be asked to complete a series of questions. These are self-explanatory except for the References, Funding, Research proposal and Supporting documents sections . We have provided guidance for these sections. If you have any questions, please contact the MFC Admissions Team via Admission.CDT-MFC@reading.ac.uk .

• First application deadline: Sunday 8 November 2026. First interviews in the week commencing 16 November, with second (project) interviews starting 30 November.
• Second application deadline: Sunday 10 January 2027. First interviews in the week commencing 18 January, with second (project) interviews starting 1 February.
• Final application deadline (if places remain): Sunday 7 March 2027. First interviews in the week commencing 15 March, with second (project) interviews starting 29 March.
• Programme title PhD in Mathematics (initial registration) (full-time)
• Entry year 2027/28, start month September.

References

During the application process, you will be asked for the contact details of two referees who are able to comment on your academic work and suitability for the programme. You will need to supply academic or business email addresses (for example, Gmail is not acceptable and will prevent your application from being considered). The referees will be contacted directly and asked to upload a reference.

Your funding

Unless you have your own funding for the full studentship, enter No for ‘Funding secured already' and, in the second box, state you wish to apply for a 'PhD studentship in Mathematics for our Future Climate'.

You do not need to supply a project title or supervisor name.

Students eligible for home fees status

Students who meet the requirements for home fees status are classified as home students. For such students, a PhD studentship for the MFC CDT programme is for four years. It includes:

Learn more about eligibility for home status

• a tax-free stipend of £30,000 per year
• home-level PhD tuition fees
• a new laptop
• a generous allowance to support research-related activities (such as attending conferences and workshops).

Students who are not eligible for home fees status

Students who do not meet the requirements for home status are classified as international students. International students are welcome to apply. For international students, a PhD studentship for the MFC CDT Programme is for four years.

International students receive:

International students must be able to meet the cost of the difference between the home PhD tuition fees and the international PhD tuition fees at the University of Reading (the CDT has no funds for this). They must also pay any visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. You must provide a statement detailing how you will meet these costs as part of your application.

Please visit the fees and funding webpages for details of the PhD tuition fees at the University of Reading.

• a stipend (the 2026/27 stipend is £23,805 per year), with an annual increase in line with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• home-level PhD tuition fees
• a new laptop
• a generous allowance to support research-related activities (such as attending conferences and workshops).

Research proposal

Do not provide a research proposal. Instead, upload a file that contains your personal statement. This should include:

This personal statement will be important in assessing your suitability for the PhD programme so you should complete it with care.

International students must also include a clear statement and evidence of how they will cover the international tuition fees at the bottom of their personal statement. If this is not included then, unfortunately, the application will be rejected as the CDT cannot cover these costs. Note that if you plan to secure funding from an external organisation then you need to obtain this funding before applying to the CDT.

• your motivation for wanting to study for a PhD and why you are applying to the MFC CDT programme
• which areas in MFC you are interested in studying
• how you will contribute to the cohort culture that is a key part of the MFC CDT programme
• anything we should know to better understand your CV, transcript, references (for example, if there are mitigating circumstances then let us know, but we do not need to know the details of the circumstances).

Supporting documents

Include transcripts, certificates, and English language proficiency (if relevant).

At this stage, it is not necessary to have certified English translations of your qualifications. You should upload original transcripts. Translations will be needed later if you are offered a place on our programme.

Under 'Other document' you must include a full CV. This should include:

• your personal information (but do not provide a photo)
• a concise timeline of your education
• a concise timeline of other employment, including voluntary work, periods of extended leave, time spent caring for others
• any other information that supports your application, but which is not included elsewhere.

Research areas