Edinburgh E5 NERC Doctoral Training Partnership 2027: Funded PhDs, 2 December Deadline
- Study in
- United Kingdom
- Levels
- PhD
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Covers
- Tuition fees (international gap paid by Edinburgh), UKRI stipend £21,805 (2026/27), research costs, 4 years
- Who can apply
- All nationalities with a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent; international places capped at 30%
- Run by
- University of Edinburgh (NERC E5 Doctoral Training Partnership)
The E5 Doctoral Training Partnership (E5 DTP) offers funded PhD studentships in environmental science. It is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and hosted by the University of Edinburgh’s School of Geosciences. E5 is not a single scholarship. It is a training programme that follows the earlier E3 and E4 partnerships. Students of all nationalities can apply, and each studentship pays fees, a living stipend and research costs for four years.
Status: Open. Applications for 2027 entry close at 12 noon GMT on 2 December 2026. If you want to propose your own project, the proposal deadline is 12 noon GMT on 20 October 2026 (checked October 19, 2026).
What it covers
- A monthly stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805 a year for 2026/27.
- Tuition fees. For international students, the University of Edinburgh pays the gap between home and international fees.
- Research costs, such as equipment, consumables, fieldwork, conference travel, accommodation and software.
- Funding for 4 years (48 months). You are expected to submit your thesis by the end of that time.
The studentship does not pay visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, flights, relocation or costs for dependants.
Who can apply
- Applicants of all nationalities. UKRI limits international students to 30% of the intake, so places for them are highly competitive.
- You need a good honours degree of at least a 2.1, or an equivalent. A master’s degree is not required. Relevant work experience and postgraduate study may also count.
- You must meet the University of Edinburgh postgraduate English language rules. Test results are not needed for the first application.
- You must live within reasonable commuting distance of Edinburgh during your PhD.
- Part-time study is possible only if you do not need a student visa.
Key details
| Programme | E5 NERC Doctoral Training Partnership |
|---|---|
| Host | University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences |
| Funder | Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI) |
| Subject area | Environmental science within NERC’s remit |
| Partners | Research partners include the British Geological Survey, Scotland’s Rural College, National Museums Scotland, Forest Research, the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre |
| Cohort size | 19 to 21 students each year |
| Stipend | £21,805 a year (UKRI rate for 2026/27) |
| Deadline | 12 noon GMT, 2 December 2026 |
| Interviews | 22 to 23 February 2027 in person (UK residents), 24 February 2027 online (applicants living overseas) |
| First offers | From 5 March 2027 |
How to apply
- Choose one project from the E5 DTP project list. You can also propose your own project, but it must be approved first. Proposals close on 20 October 2026.
- Contact the project supervisor before you apply. Ask about the research and how the group works.
- Prepare your files as PDFs: the E5 studentship form, an academic CV of no more than two pages, the equality and diversity form, and your transcripts and certificates. Add official English translations where needed.
- Name two referees, academic or professional. They must use the official E5 reference form and an institutional email address. Your supervisor cannot be a referee.
- Click “Apply for this project” on the project page and submit in the E5 recruitment portal by 12 noon GMT on 2 December 2026. Uploading files does not submit your application.
The how to apply page and the recruitment timeline give the full steps and dates.
Tips before you apply
- Apply for one project only. The DTP rejects multiple applications.
- Contact your referees early. Reference letters sent outside the official form are not accepted.
- Join an information and Q&A session for applicants if one is still running.
- If you live overseas, your interview will be online, so you do not need to travel for it.
- Budget for your visa, health surcharge and flights, because the studentship does not pay them.
Read the entry and eligibility criteria, the funding page and why choose the E5 DTP before you start.
Related guides
- France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027: Monthly Allowance for Master’s and PhD Study in France
- Clarendon Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master’s and DPhil at the University of Oxford
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded PhD and Master’s at Cambridge for International Students
Details are taken from the official E5 Doctoral Training Partnership website (University of Edinburgh), checked on October 19, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
