CENTA PhD Studentships 2027 in the UK (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the CENTA PhD Studentships 2027, fully funded doctoral opportunities in Earth and Environmental Sciences at leading universities and research centres across central England. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through UKRI, these studentships cover your tuition fees, pay you a yearly living stipend of £21,805 and give you an £8,000 research grant for 3.5 years.

Students from all nationalities can apply, although international places are limited to 30% of each cohort. You need at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level, a pass at UK MSc level, or an equivalent qualification. The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 6 January 2027, and CENTA does not mention any application fee in its official information. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

Degree level: PhD
Host country: United Kingdom (central England)
Funding type: Fully funded
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UKRI
Application deadline: 23:59 GMT, Wednesday 6 January 2027
Open to all nationalities: Yes
Application fee: None
Study mode: Full time or part time (minimum 50% of full time)

Interested in More Positions? Follow links below

What This Scholarship Offers:

A yearly stipend of £21,805 (2026/27 rate)
Full tuition fees paid
£8,000 Research Training Support Grant
£1,500 placement support
Reduced out of pocket costsCENTA supports travel and accommodation for its in person training events

Support During Your PhD

Parental leave: up to 52 weeks of maternity leave (the first 26 weeks at full stipend), and up to 2 weeks of paid partner leave.
Medical leave: paid leave of up to 28 weeks in any rolling 12 months, with a maximum of 52 weeks overall.
Disabled Students’ Allowance: if you have a disability or neurodivergence, you can receive funding for equipment and support, available to both Home and international students.
Other leave: compassionate leave, carer’s leave, baby loss leave and leave for public duties such as jury service.
Wellbeing services: each partner university offers its own student support.

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Eligibility Criteria:

Academic Requirements

At least a 2:1 at UK BSc level, or
At least a pass at UK MSc level, or
An equivalent qualification from another country

Nationality

Open to Home and international students
International students are capped at 30% of the cohort under UKRI rules
CENTA pays tuition fees at the Home rate only, so international students must cover the difference or ask the project supervisor whether the university offers a fee waiver

Who Counts as a Home Student?

You must meet at least one of these, along with the residency requirements:

UK National
Settled status
Pre settled status
Indefinite leave to remain or enter
Irish National

Other Rules

You can apply to only one project at any one university.
You can apply to more than one CENTA project if the projects are at different universities.
Your project must fall within the NERC remit. Medical research is not funded.
You must complete the CENTA application form without coaching or help from the project supervisor.

Note on CSOS Scholarships

The CENTA Science Opportunity Scholarships (CSOS) for applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds closed on 18 October 2026 for 2027 entry. Only Home students were eligible. You can still apply through the project based route if you are eligible.

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Programs Available:

Studentships are offered across three research themes. Eligible fields include:

Climate Science
Environmental Sustainability
Atmospheric Science
Oceanography
Hydrology and Water Resources
Earth Observation and Remote Sensing
Geology
Geophysics
Geochemistry
Volcanology and Natural Hazards
Palaeoclimate and Palaeontology
Ecology
Ecosystem Science
Biodiversity and Conservation
Zoology
Plant Science and Forestry
Microbiology and Environmental Microbiology
Soil Science
Environmental Pollution
Geography and Environmental Change

Host Institutions:

You can study at any of the following:

University of Birmingham
University of Leicester
Loughborough University
University of Warwick
The Open University
Cranfield University
British Geological Survey (BGS)
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH)
National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO)

To apply for a project at a research centre, apply through the partner university and inform the research centre’s contact.

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Documents Required:

The CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027
A CV listing at least two referees, preferably people who can speak about your academic ability
The application form of the university hosting your project
Your EDI survey receipt number, added to the CENTA form

Important Dates:

13 November 2026: Applicant webinar, 14:00 to 15:00 GMT (registration required)
6 January 2027: Application deadline, 23:59 GMT
Early February 2027: Online interviews
Late February or early March 2027: Conditional offers
17 March 2027 (expected): Universal NERC acceptance deadline, 12 noon GMT
Autumn 2027: PhD starts

Also Check: LJMU Vice-Chancellor PhD Scholarships 2027 in UK (Fully Funded)

How to Apply:

Browse the available projects on the CENTA website and choose one that matches your interests.
Read the “Further Details” section of the project advert to see how to apply to that university.
Download the CENTA Studentship Application Form 2027 and complete every section in your own words.
Complete the EDI survey linked on the form and add your receipt number.
Prepare your CV with the names of at least two referees.
Apply through the host university’s application portal and attach the CENTA form and your CV.
Submit everything before 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 6 January 2027.

Official Website

Apply Here

Official Links and Contact:

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