Discover Funding Opportunities

EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Chemical & Process Engineering

The University of Leeds is offering 2 highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentships for talented budding researchers to join the thriving community within the School of Chemical and Process Engineering. These prestigious awards provide full coverage of tuition fees plus a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years, along with comprehensive training and support. The opportunity is designed to develop innovators in chemical and process engineering research within a world-leading research environment where 97% of research is rated as world-leading (REF 2021). Successful candidates will study in an active research environment with UK-leading facilities and work alongside researchers at the forefront of their areas. The program offers strong industry links, professional skills development, mental health and wellbeing support, and access to the Leeds Doctoral College network. Students will be part of a global community welcoming members from more than 140 countries. This opportunity is open exclusively to UK applicants. All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentship Competition, with selection based on academic merit. The competitive selection process involves application processing, supervisor shortlisting and interviews, followed by a School Selection Panel to determine funding awards.

EPSRC DLA Scholarship in the School of Computer Science

The School of Computer Science at the University of Leeds is offering a fully-funded, 3.5 year PhD studentship for UK fee-rated applicants, to start on 1 October 2026, as part of the EPSRC DLA scheme. This highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award provides full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate for 3.5 years, with training and support also provided. Applicants can propose research in any area of computer science for which the school is actively engaged in research. This includes five main research themes: Artificial Intelligence (robotics, biomedical analysis and imaging, reasoning, natural language processing), Computer Science in Biology, Medicine and Health (computational neuroscience, healthcare process analytics), Algorithms and Complexity (graph theory, scheduling), Distributed Systems and Services (cloud and edge computing, digital democracy), and Computational Science and Engineering (computational fluid dynamics, high-performance graphics, physics-informed neural networks). The School of Computer Science collaborates extensively with other universities and companies across the world, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and participates actively in the Alan Turing Institute and other national and international centres of excellence. The school holds the Athena Swann silver award for gender equality, and 99% of its research was classified as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent REF exercise. Up to 2 funded places are available. Selection is based on academic merit through the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.

School of Mechanical Engineering Studentship 2026/27 (BSMS)

This is a highly competitive School of Mechanical Engineering Studentship, in collaboration with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, offering full tuition fees plus a tax-free maintenance grant for 3.5 years. The studentship provides an opportunity to join the thriving research community at the University of Leeds, working on sustainable healthcare systems and helping organisations like the NHS work towards carbon Net-Zero targets. The PhD will be based in the new SUSTAIN facility (Simulation Theatre for Academia and Industry), working with the UK Department of Health and Social Care and leading experts in sustainable healthcare at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. The research will involve assessment of emerging healthcare technologies and procedures to drive change in UK and international practice. Training and support will be provided throughout the studentship. The School of Mechanical Engineering's research is rated 96% world-leading in REF 2021, and students benefit from UK-leading facilities, close industry links, and comprehensive personal and professional development support through the Leeds Doctoral College.

EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Computer Science

The EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award for Computer Science at the University of Leeds offers highly competitive studentships for talented budding researchers to join a thriving community of leading researchers. These awards provide full tuition fees, a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years, plus training and support. The program invites proposals in any area of Computer Science where the school is actively engaged in research, including Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science in Biology, Medicine and Health, Algorithms and Complexity, Distributed Systems and Services, and Computational Science and Engineering. For 2026/27 entry, 2 studentships are available exclusively for UK applicants. Candidates are placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentship Competition, with selection based on academic merit. The School of Computer Science at Leeds has 99% world-leading research (REF 2021) and provides students with access to UK-leading facilities, close industry links, professional skills development, and comprehensive personal and wellbeing services. Applicants must have at least a first class or upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The selection process includes application processing, supervisor shortlisting and interviews, and a final School Selection Panel to determine funding awards. Academic and funding offers will be issued by no later than 31 March 2026.

Computer vision methods for understanding surgical safety

This PhD opportunity focuses on using computer vision to transform healthcare and enhance patient care in surgical settings. Computer vision is essential in surgical care for identifying areas of interest, but current surgical landscapes face challenges including occlusion, organ opacity, visual challenges, and scene interpretation. While methods have been developed for surgical scene understanding including scene segmentation, depth estimation, tracking and 3D reconstruction, these remain rudimentary and cannot be directly translated to clinical care. This project takes a holistic approach to identifying surgical complications and patient safety. The successful candidate will work with experts in computer vision, machine learning, computer graphics, and surgeons, integrated directly into the AI for Medicine and Surgery group at Leeds, which has a world-leading reputation for delivering high-quality research.

Material changes for a sustainable healthcare system

This PhD opportunity explores how sustainable healthcare can be achieved by embedding circular economy principles into surgical products and processes. The research will assess how changes in material and design can improve sustainability and support a circular economy for healthcare. The PhD will be based in the new SUSTAIN facility (Simulation Theatre for Academia and Industry), working with the UK Department of Health and Social Care and leading experts in sustainable healthcare at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. The program involves assessing emerging healthcare technologies and procedures using the SUSTAIN facility to drive change in UK and international practice. The research will develop case studies that will be integrated into the Department of Health and Social Care's 'Design for Life' framework and inform NHS policy guidance, particularly in sustainable procurement and sustainable surgical practice.

Multi-modal endoscopic and surgical AI

This PhD research project focuses on developing innovative methods in multi-modal AI for healthcare applications, specifically in endoscopic and surgical contexts. The project aims to develop methods that provide insights into meaningful information while using multiple modalities such as clinical text data, imagery, voice recordings and videos. Computer vision has been widely used in various industries, including healthcare, and while deep learning has transformed several developments, the use of multimodal AI has strengthened it further. However, these approaches require careful understanding of what constitutes reliable information in big and diverse data scenarios. The successful PhD candidate will work with experts in the field of computer vision and machine learning, consultant gastroenterologists/endoscopists, and surgeons in an interdisciplinary environment. They will have the opportunity to directly understand both the technical developments and advancement needed from expert computational scientists and understand the broader surgical landscape with an expert clinical team. The candidate will be integrated directly into the AI for Medicine and Surgery group, which has a world-leading reputation for delivering high-quality research. This opportunity is funded through the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award, providing full academic fees together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided. The project is based at the School of Computer Science, University of Leeds, under the supervision of Dr Sharib Ali and Dr Toni Lassila, with additional supervision from Dr Venkataraman Subramanian.

Understanding cancer in individuals with cystic fibrosis

This fully funded PhD scholarship provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in cancer epidemiology and data science. The research will focus on improving understanding of the relationship between cystic fibrosis and cancer. The PhD candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, epidemiologists and charity partners to examine the relationship between cystic fibrosis and cancer, identify subgroups at elevated risk of developing cancer and/or poor outcomes from cancer, and inform screening and surveillance of this population. The candidate will make use of data which combines information from the Cystic Fibrosis Register and national cancer registration data in order to calculate the incidence of different types of cancer in individuals with cystic fibrosis and examine diagnostic pathways and outcomes. The scholarship is funded by Boehringer Ingleheim and hosted by the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds. The successful candidate will benefit from links with the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, which provides a secure environment for researchers to store, process and analyse sensitive and confidential data.

Deterioration, Safety, and Equity: Addressing racialised disparities in the assessment and management of deterioration in English maternity settings

This fully funded PhD studentship in the School of Psychology explores how deterioration is recognised, assessed, and managed in English maternity settings through an equity lens. The research addresses critical gaps in understanding how obstetric racism, bias, and stereotyping influence the recognition of deterioration and escalation decisions in maternity care. The project will investigate how deterioration assessment tools, escalation pathways, and clinical decision-making may be influenced by bias, structural racism, and systemic inequities. It will explore lived experiences of deterioration and safety-critical interactions and identify opportunities to co-design solutions embedding equity into clinical protocols and training. Working within the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration, the successful candidate will work with a collaborative research team at the forefront of patient safety research, contributing to national maternity safety initiatives by uncovering inequities in deterioration assessments and helping reduce preventable harm for racially minoritised populations.

Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship 2026/27 - Physics & Astronomy

The STFC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship is a highly competitive funding opportunity for talented researchers to join the School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Leeds. This studentship provides full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years, along with comprehensive training and support. The studentship is part of the faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and aims to develop innovators in physics and astronomy research. Studentships are linked to specific projects, and candidates are selected based on academic merit through a competitive process. The funding does not cover costs associated with moving to the UK, including visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, and flights. Successful candidates will work in a professional research environment using UK-leading facilities alongside active researchers at the forefront of their fields. The program offers professional skills development, industry networking opportunities, and comprehensive wellbeing support. This opportunity is open to all nationalities and provides access to the Leeds Doctoral College's network of support services.

School of Mechanical Engineering Studentship 2026/27

The School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds is offering 1 highly competitive PhD studentship for 2026/27 entry for talented budding researchers interested in medical technologies innovation and making a difference in patients' lives. The studentship is linked to a specific project on developing in silico tools to test patient-specific maxilla-facial implants. This opportunity is designed for individuals who want to collaborate with industry and become innovators in mechanical engineering research within the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. The award includes full tuition fees together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Recipients will join a thriving community of leading researchers in the School of Mechanical Engineering and will benefit from training and support throughout their studies. The studentship offers the opportunity to study in an active research environment with UK-leading facilities, close industry links, and professional skills development programs. Successful candidates will be part of a global community and have access to comprehensive support through the Leeds Doctoral College, including mental health and wellbeing services. Applicants should have at least a first class or upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The funding is awarded on a competitive basis through a selection process that includes supervisor interviews and a School Selection Panel review. Please note that whilst applicants may receive an academic offer for the linked project, funding offers are awarded separately and competitively.

BBSRC CTP: Designing chocolate products with enhanced health, wellbeing and technical performance using artificial intelligence

This fully funded 4-year PhD scholarship provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in Food Science, Nutrition and Data Analytics in collaboration with industry partner Mondelez International. The project focuses on evaluating traditional and novel processes that facilitate the retention of key compounds within chocolate using artificial intelligence and machine learning methods. Many beneficial health-promoting compounds present in raw chocolate materials are negatively impacted through processing steps. The research aims to determine optimal processing routes to retain phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that provide health, wellbeing, and functional benefits. The student will develop machine learning models to predict nutritional profiles and determine optimal processing conditions, while also developing chocolate or confectionery snacks with enhanced nutritional profiles. The project includes a placement at a Mondelez UK site where the student will access chocolate pilot plant facilities to experiment with technologies and develop prototypes based on their machine learning models.

The effects of freezing and thawing on the structure, rheology and associated physical properties of galactomannan solutions for food applications

This PhD research opportunity focuses on developing a detailed understanding of how galactomannans are affected by freezing and subsequent thawing, both in aqueous solution and in the presence of sugars. Foods are complex multi-phase structures characterized by wide ranges of length and time scales. For most food products, the aim is to increase sustainability, health and ethical credentials without compromising on customer experience or cost. Galactomannans, such as locust bean or guar gums, are important food polymers due to their strong thickening, stabilizing, and gel-forming properties. As a solution freezes, polymer/sugar are expelled from the growing micro-crystals resulting in strong changes in local structure and rheology, and in effects such as cryo-gelation. The project will use advanced physical characterisation and analysis approaches including combining active (magnetic) and passive (thermal) particle tracking and Differential Dynamic Microscopy analysis, fluorescence lifetime microscopy of molecular rotor dyes, bulk rheology, light scattering and electron microscopy. The project addresses the key societal and industrial question of developing more sustainable and healthier food matrices, strongly linking to soft matter science capabilities. This research is in collaboration with the Magnum Ice Cream Company and links to EPSRC research areas including biophysics and soft matter physics, biological chemistry, complex fluids and rheology, and polymer materials. The application of fundamental soft matter science to foods strengthens interdisciplinary research and establishes leading capabilities in soft matter science. This is a fully funded 3.5 year PhD position through the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Landscape Award, providing full academic fees and a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26). Training and support will also be provided.

Developing sustainable surgical practices to meet NHS Net-Zero targets through equipment rationalisation

This PhD is an exciting opportunity to develop sustainable surgical practice, working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and industry partner B Braun to target NHS 'carbon net-Zero' goals. The NHS contributes 5% of UK carbon-equivalent emissions but must achieve 'net-Zero' by 2045. Currently a major carbon (and cost) burden is sterilisation of surgical instrument sets. The PhD will develop, evaluate and disseminate systematic methods to optimise surgical equipment sets and thus reduce the carbon footprint of surgery in the NHS. The approach will use a mixed-methods approach; data-analytics on sterilisation-services data-streams will identify focal points and options for rationalisation for exploration in human-factors studies conducted in 'SUSTAIN' (a new DHSC-funded facility for sustainable-surgery simulation) to evaluate their cost, environmental and clinical impact. The research will develop publications and case-studies for DHSC and international surgical associations, and will be translated into CPD-accredited training for NHS healthcare professionals through Leeds HealthTech Research Centre.

Understanding preferences for increasing uptake of successful technologies in social care

A full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Healthcare at the University of Leeds focusing on digital technologies in social care, specifically as part of the SENSITISE project. The research explores stakeholder preferences for technology attributes in social care to inform technology design, procurement, commissioning, and policy. The programme uses mixed-methods studies including qualitative research and stated-preference methods such as discrete choice experiments. The successful applicant will conduct research relevant to adult social care practice in England, examining what different stakeholders value in technologies - including people who use, deliver, commission, and design care. The PhD studentship will contribute directly to the SENSITISE programme's empirical and methodological development and generate a cumulative, open-access evidence base on stakeholder preferences for technology attributes in social care.

Stimulus-responsive mesh for targeted anticancer delivery and catheter integration

This fully funded PhD position will reward the successful candidate with an award covering full fees, a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, and a Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) grant worth 10,000 GBP for personal development and consumables. This interdisciplinary PhD project aims to address the urgent need for safer, more effective and targeted cancer therapies through the development of a stimulus-responsive 'smart' textile mesh that can be integrated with surgical catheters to enable local, on-demand release of anticancer drugs in response to ultrasound stimulation. The functional textile mesh will be engineered to respond to ultrasound waves and trigger drug release on demand via sonoporation, which generates temporary pores in the mesh for local therapeutic agent delivery. The project will also investigate the conjugation of drug-encapsulated particles with targeted ligands to achieve enhanced selectivity and efficacy for anti-cancer therapy, minimize off-target toxicity, and improve patient outcomes. The innovative programme will be conducted under the supervision of Professor Giuseppe Tronci (expertise in drug delivery, biomaterials chemistry, and polymer processing), co-supervised by Dr Xuebin Yang (expertise in tissue engineering and cell therapy), with Professor Stephen Russell as Director of LITAC. The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), a collaborative international research institute focused on developing innovative science and technology for textiles and colour industries. This project is part of a cross-faculty collaboration between the Clothworkers' Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH) and the School of Dentistry, linking engineering, materials science, and biomedical research to contribute to a new generation of smart medical devices for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.

School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering Scholarship 2026/27 (February 2026)

A highly competitive School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Scholarship providing full Academic Fees at the UK fee rate (currently £5,006 in academic session 2025/26) or international fee rate of £32,000, together with a tax-free Maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) per year for 3.5 years. The scholarship supports PhD research in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds. Students will work in a world-leading research environment with access to UK-leading facilities and active researchers at the forefront of their area. The scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award, though recipients are responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in their writing up/overtime year (£340 in Session 2025/26). Recipients must be able to start on 1 October 2026. Please note that the award does not cover the costs associated with moving to the UK, including visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, flights, etc.

Fully-funded PhD Studentship in Applied Mathematics (International)

Applications are invited from strongly motivated and academically excellent candidates for fully funded PhD study in Applied Mathematics. The Department of Applied Mathematics at Leeds is large and vibrant, comprising approximately 30 faculty members, 10 postdocs and 25 PhD students, with wide interests and expertise in particular research groups: Applied Nonlinear Dynamics, Astrophysical & Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Complex Materials and Industrial Mathematics, Mathematical Biology & Evolutionary Dynamics and Mathematical Physics. A highly competitive School of Mathematics Scholarship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided. This opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants. All candidates will be placed into the School of Mathematics Scholarship Competition and selection is based on academic merit. The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a maintenance stipend of £20,780 per academic year. Please note that the award does not cover costs associated with moving to the UK such as visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, and flights, which must be met by the student or through alternative funding sources.

Smart textile composite for spacecraft structure

This fully funded PhD position will reward the successful candidate with an award covering full fees, a maintenance stipend in line with UKRI rates, and a Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) grant worth 10,000 GBP for personal development and consumables. The research will address three key challenges facing the design of future spacecraft: developing lightweight, multifunctional materials; reliable sensing and communication through embedded sensors and antennas; and integrated, solder-free electronic assembly. Through this integrated approach, the project will lay the groundwork for multifunctional space materials capable of real-time monitoring, communication, and self-diagnosis, vital for long-duration missions and sustainable spacecraft design. The successful candidate will investigate the design and fabrication of functional fibre and filament systems capable of performing as electronic components, the co-manufacturing of these functional fibres into smart textile composites using advanced nonwoven and composite processing methods, the integration of antenna and sensing capabilities for in-situ environmental and structural monitoring, and modelling and testing of the resulting composite structures under simulated space conditions. This work represents a radically new route to designing and manufacturing electronics-integrated structural materials for aerospace applications, with potential impact on future satellite, probe, and planetary exploration missions.

Optimisation of Light Sources

This fully funded PhD position at the University of Leeds investigates how the spectral characteristics of light can be optimised for visual inspection tasks, and how different lighting conditions influence human visual performance. The project examines spectral tuning and optimisation techniques using advanced LED lighting systems, human colour perception and task performance under different spectral conditions, applications across various sectors (healthcare, textiles, cosmetics) where accurate colour discrimination is essential, and potential enhancements for colour-deficient observers. The research draws on advances in spectrally tunable lighting and low-cost programmable LED systems, with experimental work conducted in the School of Design's lighting laboratory. The project forms part of the LITAC Studentship and benefits from strong academic and industrial collaborations including partners from University of East Anglia, University of Cambridge, University of Sussex, Apple, Verivide, and the Society of Dyers and Colourists. The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), a collaborative international research institute focused on addressing global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. The award provides full academic fees, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26), and an additional £10,000 LITAC grant spread over the period of study for outcome dissemination, personal development, and research consumables.

Establishing the transport mechanism through leaf waxes

This PhD studentship investigates the transport mechanisms through leaf waxes, focusing on how agrochemicals penetrate hydrophobic leaf wax barriers to deliver nutrients while maintaining plant water content. The research addresses a critical challenge in plant healthcare as global population rises and agricultural yields need to increase. Building on previous research exploring plant wax phase diagrams, the project will examine diffusion of molecules through wax films and the impact of composition on physical properties, conducting comparative assessments between crop species (maize) and weed species (amaranthus). The studentship is in collaboration with Syngenta, a world-leading agrochemical company, and will be primarily based at the University of Leeds with regular engagement with Syngenta researchers and a 3-6 month placement at Syngenta's Jealott's Hill international research centre.

Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026 program offers up to 5 fully funded research scholarships for Home fee-rated students at the University of Leeds for Session 2026/27. The scholarships are available for study in any Faculty and support full-time or part-time research leading to a PhD degree. The fully funded research scholarship is available for 3.5 years for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, with part-time awards pro-rated. This amount increases annually in line with the UKRI rate. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years. The award is made for one year initially and is renewable for up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Applicants must hold a First Class Honours degree or equivalent, though candidates with a lower undergraduate mark may be considered if they have or are expected to receive a Distinction in a relevant Masters programme or can demonstrate relevant alternative experience. The scholarships are available for new postgraduate researchers who have not previously been awarded a PhD or are not currently registered on a PhD program. Selection is based on academic merit through a two-stage process involving School nomination and final selection by the University Scholarship Selection Panel. Successful applicants must take up the award by 1 October 2026 and live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of the scholarship. The scholarships are available for research degree study across seven faculties: Arts, Humanities and Cultures; Biological Sciences; Business; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Environment; Medicine and Health; and Social Sciences.

School of History Access to Research Scholarship 2026/27

The School of History invites prospective postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups who wish to study for a PhD commencing in the academic year 2026/27 to apply for the School of History Access to Research Scholarship. One full scholarship is available covering Home fees plus a maintenance stipend. The scholarship is open to prospective postgraduate researchers who are eligible to pay UK fees. This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in historical studies. The award is open to full-time candidates who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of History. Applications are especially welcome that connect to the School's research interests in health histories, war and conflict, politics, diplomacy and international relations, empires and their aftermaths, women, gender and sexualities, and public histories. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant for full-time study (part-time pro-rata). Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years.

School of History Doctoral Scholarship 2026

The School of History at the University of Leeds invites prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to study for a PhD commencing in the academic year 2026/27 to apply for the School of History Doctoral Scholarship. One full scholarship is available, open to UK applicants, covering Home fees plus a maintenance stipend (currently GBP 20,780 in 2025/26). This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in historical studies. The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of History. Applications are especially welcomed that connect to the School's research interests in health histories, war and conflict, politics, diplomacy and international relations, empires and their aftermaths, women, gender and sexualities, and public histories. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years, with part-time awards pro-rata.

School of Sociology and Social Policy Doctoral Scholarship 2026/27

The School of Sociology and Social Policy Doctoral Scholarship is offered for the academic year 2026/27 at the University of Leeds. This scholarship provides comprehensive funding for doctoral candidates pursuing research in sociology and social policy fields. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and provides a tax-free maintenance allowance matching UKRI rates (£20,780 in 2025/26, increasing annually). Additionally, it includes support for research training, conference attendance, and other academic expenses. The School of Sociology and Social Policy has been a major centre of research and graduate training since its foundation, producing leading academic figures in their fields. The School hosts several distinctive research groups and centres specializing in Gender, Disability Studies, Racism and Ethnicity, Family and Life Course, Social and Political Thought, and Health Technologies. The scholarship is available for both full-time and part-time study. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years, while part-time awards are pro-rata. Two scholarships are available for the 2026/27 academic year. Eligible applicants must hold an offer of admission to the doctoral degree programme at the University of Leeds within the School of Sociology and Social Policy. Awards are based on academic merit, and applicants should normally have at least a first class or upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or international equivalent) and/or a Merit in their Masters degree in an appropriate discipline. The scholarship must be taken up by October 1, 2026.

Community Gardening and Healthy Aging: An exploration of nutritional, health, social and sustainability impacts in the UK

This PhD research project explores the potential benefits of community gardens and allotments for healthy aging in the UK, focusing on nutritional, health, social and sustainability outcomes. With increased longevity, there is a growing need for targeted interventions to improve health and mobility in adults and older adults. Most community gardens research has focused on schools, but this project examines impacts specifically in adults, who may experience different benefits due to higher risk of chronic disease and social isolation. The study will examine potential and actual impacts on health, nutrient consumption, social connectedness and sustainability practices in adults involved in allotment and community gardens in Yorkshire. The project involves mixed methods research including qualitative and quantitative data collection, dietary intake analysis, and a related intervention or cohort comparison study. It is a research training opportunity at the intersection of nutrition, public health, psychology and sustainability, where the successful candidate will develop expertise in mixed methods research design, dietary analysis methods, and other subject-specific research skills.

Stipend for Children without Glasses

The Stipend for Children without Glasses (SCWG) is a charitable foundation established in 2012 dedicated to supporting youth who have maintained natural visual acuity throughout their developmental years. Founded by optometrist Dr. Helena Brightwell, the organization awards annual grants of $500–$2,000 to children ages 8–17 who demonstrate both exceptional uncorrected vision and academic achievement. The foundation's somewhat tongue-in-cheek mission arose from Dr. Brightwell's observation that while numerous programs exist to provide corrective eyewear to those in need, no recognition existed for children whose genetic fortune and eye-care habits preserved their natural sight. Recipients must submit proof of 20/20 vision or better from a licensed eye care professional, along with a short essay on eye health awareness. The SCWG distributes approximately $150,000 annually across 200 grants and has funded vision health education programs in over 40 schools nationwide.