NERC PhD Funding

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) provides PhD funding for students in environmental and Earth sciences. For the 2026-27 academic year, NERC covers tuition fees up to £5,238 per year and offers a living stipend of £21,805. Applications typically open in October or November and close in January or February. Be sure to check the specific deadlines for each program.

If you're considering a PhD in environmental or Earth sciences, NERC funding could be just what you need. It’s there to help you focus on your research without constantly worrying about how to make ends meet. But don't get too comfortable – NERC funding is competitive, so you’ll need to put in some work to make your application shine.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! This guide breaks down everything you need to know about NERC, the funding opportunities available, and a few tips to help you with the application process. You can also search for NERC-funded PhDs here on FindAPhD.

The NERC is one of seven Research Councils that make up UK Research and Innovation (URKI). Each of these councils manages a budget for supporting research in their subject areas, some of which goes to training PhD students.

Which PhD subjects does the NERC fund?

The NERC funds PhDs in Environmental Science subjects, such as:

• Climatology and Climate Change
• Ecology and Conservation
• Ecotoxicology and Pollution
• Environmental Chemistry
• Geophysics
• Meteorology
• Paleobiology
• Agronomy and Soil Science

The NERC also funds some interdisciplinary opportunities in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

NERC funds around 350 lucky students a year, covering the essentials so you can focus on your research (or at least pretend to while drinking questionable instant coffee). Here’s what you get:

• Tuition fees – £5,238 per year (your university can’t charge you extra, so at least that’s one battle won).
• Stipend – £21,805 per year (£23,805 if you're surviving in London). This is tax-free, so you can stretch it further on books, rent, and probably too much caffeine.
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) – Between £5,000 and £11,000 to cover travel and consumables (a fancy way of saying “stuff you need for your research”).

These figures go up each year with inflation, so you’ll get a bit more as time goes on—assuming you’re still sane by then.

How is NERC funding allocated?

You don’t apply directly to NERC for funding (that would be too easy). Instead, they hand out funding to universities and research institutes, which then advertise PhD projects. If a project is NERC-funded, you apply to the university running it.

Most of these projects pop up through Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs), Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE), or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs). So, keep an eye on those if you want to be one of the chosen ones.

Most NERC PhD funding comes through Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs)—groups of universities and industry partners working together to train researchers. Alongside funding, DTPs offer workshops, masterclasses, and networking to help you finish your PhD and figure out what comes next.

You’ll be based at one university but have access to expertise, mentoring, and facilities across the partnership. Plus, you’ll be part of a cohort of PhD students, meaning extra training, team-building, and whole-cohort conferences—so at least you won’t be suffering alone.

Funding usually lasts 3.5 years, with possible stipend extensions if needed. Many DTPs also offer 2-3 month industry placements, a great option if you want a break from academia (or a backup plan).

NERC DTPs for 2025

Current NERC Doctoral Training Partnerships include the following:

NERC CASE studentships are like PhDs with a side quest—designed with businesses, industry, and non-profits to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Around 25% of DTP projects have this setup, so there’s a decent chance you’ll come across one.

On top of your usual PhD chaos, you’ll spend 3 to 18 months working with your industry partner, getting hands-on experience and learning things you won’t find in a lecture hall. You’ll still be part of a DTP cohort, so you won’t miss out on all the training and questionable coffee. Your funding stays the same, but your external partner might cover extra expenses (perks!).

To bag a CASE studentship, check the DTPs on our website for the latest opportunities.

NERC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) exist to tackle specific research priorities—essentially, niche PhDs with a clear mission. While initially funded by NERC, they also pull in support from industry and other research bodies, making them a bit more specialised than your typical DTP.

CDT studentships cover fees, living costs, and research expenses (if you’re eligible) and usually last 3.5 to 4 years. You’ll be part of a cohort, getting specialist training alongside your research, plus all the usual academic perks—conferences, seminars, and networking events.

Some CDTs are co-run with other UKRI councils, like the CDT in Soil Science (because dirt is serious business), which operates alongside the BBSRC.

NERC CDTs for 2025

There are currently five CDTs:

To get NERC PhD funding, you need to meet these eligibility criteria:

Residency

• UK students: Eligible for full funding (fees + stipend) if you’ve lived in the UK for at least three years.
• International students: Can also get full funding, but only 30% of a university’s awards can go to non-UK applicants.
• EU students: Eligible on the same terms as UK students if they have settled status or applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021. Otherwise, they apply as international students.
• Irish students: Eligible for UKRI funding like UK students under the Common Travel Area.

Academic requirements

• NERC studentships are competitive – you’ll usually need at least a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject.
• If you don’t have a 2:1, a Master’s degree might strengthen your application.

You don’t apply directly to the NERC for a studentship. Instead, funding is provided to universities and research institutes that advertise funded PhDs through their DTPs and CDTs.

Advertised Projects

• Most NERC-funded PhDs come with set research questions, but there's often room to tweak things based on your findings.
• Some CDTs let you propose your own project. This involves working with a supervisor, designing a proposal, and defending it before you start.

Application Process

• Start by finding a project that interests you.
• Read the description carefully and prepare:
• a CV
• a cover letter (why this project and why you’re a great fit)
• a personal statement (your academic background and PhD motivation)
• Degree transcripts (if required)
• If shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview to discuss your application

Working during a NERC studentship

You cannot work full-time while receiving NERC funding (or any other UKRI funding). You are allowed to work part-time but you should get your supervisors’ advice before you commit to the extra workload.

Other funding

You can’t combine a NERC studentship with a UK PhD loan, but you may be able to access some other funding from your university or other sources.

To make sure you've got everything you need before you start hunting and applying for NERC funding or pulling your hair out, here are some top tips I've come up with:

• Keep It Doable – Saving the planet is a great goal, but maybe tackle one chunk at a time. NERC likes research that actually gets finished, so pick a topic that’s ambitious but won’t leave you crying into your field notes at 3 am.
• Make It Matter – NERC funds projects on climate change, biodiversity, and other “let’s not ruin the planet” themes. If your research fits, great! Just make sure your proposal spells out why it’s important—bonus points if you can make it sound exciting without using the word “groundbreaking” too many times.
• Choose Your Supervisor Wisely – A good supervisor will guide you, support you, and answer your emails (eventually). A bad one might disappear for months at a time. Have a chat before applying—you want someone who’s as invested in your project as you are (or at least knows your name).