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PhD Funding in the UK: What is Changing and What Does It Mean?

There were nine UKRI schemes funding research in the UK but, as of earlier this year, these have been combined to form two new types of awards; the Doctoral Focal Awards and the Doctoral Landscape Awards. UKRI have also announced a £500 million funding pot which will be allocated through three research councils as part of these new awards.

This funding will be provided to universities who’ll then distribute it to students in the form of studentships. PhD studentships cover tuition fees (only up to the home amount for international students) and provide a monthly stipend.

We’ve taken a look at what these new awards are and what this update means for you.

Changes to UKRI Doctoral Awards

From 2024, all UKRI PhD funding will be provided through the two new Doctoral Focal and Landscape Awards, replacing the previous nine different funding schemes.

Doctoral Focal Awards are built to fund research in specific, focussed areas which may also have a component of additional training.

Doctoral Landscape Awards are built to fund broader, more flexible research programmes as long as they are within UKRI’s portfolio.

UKRI is also working on a ‘core framework’ which outlines the funding and support which will apply to all students regardless of the award. UKRI have announced the first stage of the core offering and we’ll keep you updated on any further developments.

You’ll also notice that there are some similarities between the new and the old awards. For example, the new Doctoral Focal Awards are similar to the existing Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and the Doctoral Landscape Awards are similar to the Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).

New opportunities

UKRI have announced a £500 million funding pot to support research in biological sciences, engineering and physical sciences and natural and environmental sciences. This funding will be allocated through three research councils.

Joint BBSRC and NERC will make more than 2,300 studentships available across 21 universities, investing £293 million through Doctoral Landscape Awards.
EPSRC will make around 2,400 studentships available across 40 universities, investing £279 million through Doctoral Landscape Awards.
NERC will further make 90 studentships available through four Doctoral Focal Awards.

What do these changes mean for students?

Essentially, not a lot is changing for students. You’ll continue to apply for and get funding through your university.

UKRI have not announced any changes to the funding and monthly stipend amounts yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for you. The funding amounts are reviewed every year and change to account for inflation. For 2025-2026, PhD students get a stipend of £20,780 which is paid in monthly instalments and have their tuition fees covered to a minimum of £5,006.

Read more about UKRI PhD funding and how it works in our comprehensive guides.

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