Information about applying for studentship or funding
Prospective students cannot apply directly to NERC for a studentship. Any students interested in NERC-funded studentships should contact the research organisation or university at which they wish to study directly, including information on how to apply and eligibility.
NERC provides UK universities with doctoral training grants to support NERC-funded studentships.
The advertisement of opportunities and recruitment of studentships is managed by the Doctoral training partnership (DTP) or Centre for doctoral training (CDT).
NERC supports CDT investment to provide focused investment into areas of priority to address training needs within the NERC remit. CDTs are supported with the intention of developing a legacy of training excellence from an initial, directed NERC investment.
Following the initial NERC investment, it is expected that NERC CDTs either:
- become self-sufficient through investment from other sources, such as NERC DTP funding or industrial investment
- submit a new evidence submission to NERC detailing how their remit remains or re-focuses an existing training priority for consideration for CDT investment
- cease following the completion of the final studentship.
How to apply to become a CDT
Institutions eligible for NERC research funding can apply to become a CDT either alone or as a consortium with other eligible research organisations.
What a CDT provides students
NERC CDTs provide students with skills and training within priority areas identified by NERC and our partners and the wider community.
This training should be delivered in collaboration with non-academic partners, and, over the course of their studentships, individuals should also have opportunities to undertake collaborative research and training with non-academic partners.
The research and skills areas that will form the focus of the doctoral training will be specific to each NERC CDT, as will the nature and format of any engagement with non-academic partners.
What funding is available
Funding will be awarded to each CDT to support a number of cohorts of students. This funding will support the students’ stipends, fees and Research Training Support Grant as well as providing training opportunities to develop the particular, specialist skills linked to the strategic priorities or skill needs associated with the CDT.
The number of students required to be offered as CASE varies between each CDT.
Eligibility for CDT funding
The eligibility criteria for each CDT funding opportunity are specific to each call and will be contained within the call Announcement of Opportunity document.
Current CDT awards
NERC CDTs award studentships on behalf of NERC. The CDTs oversee the entire process of awarding PhD studentships and do this at their own discretion.
Do not contact NERC for information concerning studentships, contact the CDT directly.
Resilient flood futures
The CDT for Resilient Flood Futures will deliver a new cohort of researchers who have the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge required to address key sector needs. researchers will research questions across all drivers of flooding, and the ability to work across gaps that currently exist between the evidence base and flood risk management approaches, policy, regulation and community engagement.
Real-time digital water-based systems for environmental health protection
The CDT in real-time digital water-based systems for environmental health protection will train doctoral students to improve real-time monitoring and management of freshwaters. The CDT aims to reverse global environmental degradation and better protect both wildlife and human health.
Ecologically relevant multiple stressor effects on wetland wildscapes
The CDT in ecologically relevant multiple stressor effects on wetland wildscapes will train innovative researchers and conservationists with the scientific skills, knowledge and transferable skills needed to tackle global challenges caused by multiple stressor impacts on the natural environment.
Mineral resources for the energy transition
The CDT in mineral resources for the energy transition will train a community of interdisciplinary challenge-led researchers. They will identify and deliver ‘real-world’ integrated solutions across entire mineral value chains to address net zero challenges and deliver positive outcomes for business and the environment.
Environmental solutions to zoonoses
The CDT in environmental solutions to zoonoses will deliver the next generation of world-leading transdisciplinary scientists, with the knowledge and solution-focused skills to develop sustainable One Health and Planetary Health approaches to tackle current and future zoonotic threats.
Sustainable management of UK marine resources
The CDT in sustainable management of UK marine resources will train the next generation of innovative transdisciplinary engaged researchers, solution providers and practitioners needed to support governmental and non-governmental sectors, to ensure sustainable management of UK marine resources.
Managing chemical risks in the environment
The CDT in managing chemical risks in the environment will produce a generation of innovator ecotoxicology scientists skilled in experimental, modelling and statistical techniques, to strengthen capacity across a wide range of stakeholders relevant to chemical risk management.
Earth observation: data for earth systems
The CDT in Earth Observation: Data for Earth Systems will train PhD students with a unique skill set required to evaluate, manipulate, combine and interpret earth observation data adequately and effectively. It will focus on the use of climate data for earth systems, which is critical for scientific discovery, opening new markets for satellite enabled services, supporting the development and export of new earth observation technologies, and developing the UK’s position as a global hub for trusted earth observation products. Earth Observation is an essential component of NERC’s funding, cutting across the full breadth of NERC science. The CDT is funded by NERC with additional support from the UK Space Agency.
Freshwater bioscience and sustainability
The CDT in freshwater bioscience and sustainability will train the next generation of UK environmental scientists in the specialist, interdisciplinary and transferrable skills necessary to monitor, evaluate, and sustainably manage freshwater resources to meet the needs of the wide range of relevant stakeholders.
Modelling and quantitative skills in ecology and evolution
The CDT in modelling and quantitative skills in ecology and evolution will train the next generation of UK environmental scientists in various aspects of data collection, modelling, statistical analysis, and inference with input from a range of quantitative disciplines. Researchers will gain substantial quantitative expertise capable of developing new theoretical modelling methods.
Use of smart and autonomous observation for the environmental sciences
The CDT in the use of smart and autonomous observation for the Environmental Sciences will provide specialised training in this increasingly vital area, creating a community of highly skilled people whose expertise will contribute both to scientific breakthroughs and to economic growth. The CDT is funded by NERC and EPSRC.
Soil science
The NERC and BBSRC Joint CDT in soil science will train a highly skilled community of researchers with transferable skills, and an ability to integrate plant, soil, water and land management to address future research needs.
Oil and gas
The NERC CDT in oil and gas will provide training to create a highly skilled workforce with expertise that can be used across the wider energy and environment sectors, as well as filling skills gaps in the oil and gas sector.
Renewable energy
CDTs in renewable energy:
These Centres for Doctoral Training in renewable energy help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable energy production by providing training to create a highly skilled community of researchers with expertise that can be used across the renewable energy sector.
The training will be co-funded by NERC and EPSRC, which will support research at the cutting edge of engineering and environmental science.
Previous CDT awards
Risk and mitigation: using big data
The CDT in risk and mitigation; using big data addressed increasing and emerging skills needs in these areas and strengthen the flow of knowledge and skilled people into research, to the insurance sector and to policymakers. The training included interdisciplinary studentships co-funded by NERC and ESRC.
Last updated: 17 October 2024