Studentship schemes
Algorithm studentships
The studentship algorithm is used to determine the main allocation of NERC studentships each year. An algorithm, based on research grant and fellowship funding over a three-year period, determines the number of studentships allocated to a university department, faculty or a research centre. The organisations decide what studentship projects will be supported (whereas for the other schemes, NERC is funding a specified project). The list of organisations with NERC Algorithm PhD funding can be found on the awards display notice.
Competition based studentships
These are also called Directed Research Studentships. Potential supervisors submit a proposal for a studentship project to a call for proposals. The proposals are peer reviewed by a Panel and a small number are approved for NERC funding. A student must then be found to undertake the specified project. In 2011, there were two studentship calls:
Project studentships
These studentship projects are applied for as part of a research grant application and further information can be found on the Project Studentships page.
Interdisciplinary studentships
NERC also funds interdisciplinary studentships at the interface with some other Research Councils.
Changes to NERC support for postgraduate training
At the start of 2012 NERC announced a new strategic approach to supporting postgraduate training. These changes will be phased in over a two year period. Studentships starting in the academic years 2012/13 and 2013/14 will continue to be allocated through existing mechanisms.
Please Note: Studentships are not awarded directly by NERC to individual students. If you are seeking a studentship place with an award you should address enquiries about the specific availability of places or the content of research training to the university department, research institute or other approved institution in which you would like to do your research training.