How to apply

Number of available scholarships

This Leverhulme doctoral programme will recruit scholars in three cohort over three successive years. In total the award will fund up to 18 full time PhD Scholarships, including three scholarships for international applicants. 12 home (UK) PhD scholarships, and 3 Master's plus PhD scholarships. Of these, 6 home, 2 Master's plus PhD and 1 international scholarships will be based at the University of Roehampton.

Each PhD scholarship award will include fees and stipend costs for scholars for up to 4 years paid at UKRI's standard domestic rate, with an additional grant of up to  £10,000 to each student for research expenses.

For Master's plus PhD scholarships there is funding (fees and stipend) for an additional 1 year Master's programme before the PhD programme commences.

Eligibility and application for entry to the Connected Waters Leverhulme Doctoral Programme (Connect)

Please ensure that you fulfil the general entry criteria for the University that the scholarship will be registered to (either Roehampton or Cranfield). There is also scheme specific guidance (see below).

Complete the Connect cover form.

Prepare your personal statement and your research proposal (for funded projects expand on the outline given on the funded projects page, for the student led competition follow the guidance provided).

Then complete the online application form for either Roehampton or Cranfield (PhD in Water) dependent on where the project will be registered.

Remember to attach the completed Connect cover form, your personal statement and your research proposal to your completed online application form.

Please apply for the project that you feel best meets your skills and experience.

If you are applying for the student-led studentship competition – here is some more guidance.

The deadline to apply for a funded project is 27 March 2025 at 4pm. However, we will be assessing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close the competition early if we find the right candidates. So please apply promptly. The deadline for the student-led competition is 6 February 2025 at 4pm

Eligibility requirements

For Doctoral Scholarships

Scholars must be registered as full-time PhD students unless the Trust gives explicit permission for this to be varied. Scholars will be subject to the terms and conditions applying to doctoral students within the host institution where they are registered. For Scholars applying to be based at the University of Roehampton, please see details here.

Scholars may not receive funds which would duplicate those provided by the Leverhulme award, but they may apply for or receive additional funding for their research and/or training costs.

For Master's Plus Scholarships

To be eligible for the Master’s plus PhD Scholarships, candidates must fulfil the following criteria as specified by the Leverhulme Trust:

  • Be a UK domiciled student
  • Not already have a Master’s degree from the host institution
  • Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies

and/or identify as one of the following categories of ethnicity:

  • Black African
  • Black Caribbean
  • Black Other
  • Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
  • Mixed – White and Black African
  • Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)