UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH ANNOUNCES FULLY FUNDED PHD SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2026/2027, OFFERS £21,805 ANNUAL STIPEND
The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, is inviting applications for its fully funded doctoral scholarship through the Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Engagement Doctoral Training Partnership (E5 DTP).
Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the programme welcomes eligible applicants from the United Kingdom and other countries who wish to pursue doctoral research addressing major environmental challenges.
Successful applicants may receive up to four years of funding, including tuition fees, an annual stipend of £21,805 at the stated 2026/2027 UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate, and support for approved research-related expenses.
The application deadline is December 2, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements, identify a suitable PhD project and prepare their application documents before the deadline.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH E5 DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP
The E5 Doctoral Training Partnership is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and hosted by the University of Edinburgh's School of Geosciences.
The programme is designed to train doctoral researchers to investigate and address important environmental challenges through research, collaboration and interdisciplinary learning.
Building on the university's previous E3 and E4 doctoral training partnerships, the E5 DTP provides a research-focused environment for developing the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to environmental science and related fields.
Applicants should identify a suitable research project and review the specific requirements associated with the opportunity before applying.
Important: The programme expects successful doctoral researchers to submit their theses by the end of the four-year funding period.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS AND FUNDING VALUE
The standard E5 DTP studentship provides funding for up to four years, subject to the applicable award conditions.
The stated benefits include:
1. Annual stipend
Successful applicants may receive an annual stipend of £21,805, based on the stated 2026/2027 UKRI rate. The stipend is intended to support students' living expenses and is paid in regular instalments.
2. Tuition fees
The studentship provides funding for eligible tuition fees, including home or international fees where covered by the award terms.
International applicants should confirm the applicable fee arrangements and whether their full tuition costs are covered before accepting an offer.
3. Research-related expenses
Funding may also support approved research expenses associated with the doctoral project. Depending on the project and award conditions, these may include:
- Research equipment and consumables
- Fieldwork expenses
- Conference attendance and travel
- Accommodation associated with approved research activities
- Research software and other project-related costs
Applicants should consult the official E5 DTP guidance to confirm the precise funding arrangements, eligible expenses and conditions attached to the award.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants seeking the University of Edinburgh E5 DTP doctoral scholarship should meet the university's entry requirements for a PhD programme.
The general academic requirements include the following:
- Academic qualification: Applicants should hold a good Honours degree, normally equivalent to at least a UK upper second-class degree (2:1).
- Relevant preparation: Applicants should demonstrate appropriate academic preparation or relevant professional experience where applicable to the proposed research.
- PhD admission requirements: Applicants must satisfy the University of Edinburgh's requirements for their intended doctoral programme.
- International qualifications: Applicants educated outside the UK should consult the university's country-specific postgraduate entry requirements.
Is a Master's Degree Compulsory?
According to the programme information provided, a Master's degree is not compulsory for applying for an E5 studentship.
Applicants with a suitable undergraduate qualification may therefore be considered, provided they meet the relevant academic and project-specific requirements.
Candidates should review the requirements for their preferred PhD project because individual research opportunities may have additional expectations.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must meet the University of Edinburgh's English language requirements, regardless of nationality.
Depending on the university's rules, applicants may demonstrate their English proficiency through an accepted English-language test or an eligible degree taught and assessed in English.
However, exemptions are subject to specific conditions, which may depend on the country, institution and date of completion of the qualification.
IELTS is not automatically waived. Applicants should consult the university's official English language requirements to determine whether their previous qualifications qualify them for an exemption or whether they need to provide an approved test result.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE E5 DTP SCHOLARSHIP
Applicants should prepare the required application materials before submitting their applications.
1. E5 Studentship Application Form
Candidates must complete the official E5 studentship application form and provide the information requested by the programme.
2. Academic CV
Applicants must prepare an academic CV of no more than two pages, highlighting their educational background, research experience, relevant skills and other appropriate academic or professional achievements.
3. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Form
Applicants are required to complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) monitoring form.
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