Deadline: 06-Mar-2026
The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships provide major long-term funding to UK universities to deliver high-quality, interdisciplinary doctoral training in priority research areas. The scheme supports multiple PhD cohorts, widening participation, international doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral transition opportunities, with awards of up to £5 million per institution.
Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme Overview
The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships programme is a flagship funding initiative designed to strengthen doctoral education in the UK. It enables universities to create ambitious, interdisciplinary doctoral training programmes aligned with institutional research priorities. The scheme emphasizes cohort-based learning, research excellence, inclusivity, and long-term academic impact.
Under the programme, selected universities receive substantial funding to support doctoral scholars, structured training, research development, and postdoctoral progression, ensuring sustainability over nearly a decade.
Key Objectives of the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships
The programme is structured to deliver system-level impact in doctoral education. Its core objectives include:
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Expanding the number of funded doctoral scholarships in the UK
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Supporting interdisciplinary and thematic doctoral training
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Creating inclusive pathways into doctoral study for underrepresented groups
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Strengthening international doctoral engagement
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Supporting postdoctoral career transitions for programme graduates
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Enhancing cohort-building, training quality, and administrative capacity
Funding Structure and Award Size
Ten awards of up to £5 million each are made to eligible UK universities. Each award supports:
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24 four-year doctoral scholarships
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Up to 6 additional students through a combined master’s plus PhD pathway
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Three annual doctoral cohorts to ensure continuity and scale
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Programme duration of up to 9 years
This structure allows universities to plan long-term doctoral provision with sustained funding and academic coherence.
What the Scholarships Cover
The funding package differs slightly for UK and international doctoral scholars.
For UK doctoral scholars:
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Full maintenance stipend at UKRI base rates
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Tuition fees at UK rates
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Dedicated research and training support
For international doctoral scholars:
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Maintenance funding
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Tuition fees at the institution’s international rate, within the scheme’s cap
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Research and training expenses
For master’s plus PhD pathway students:
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Targeted financial and academic support
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Designed for eligible UK-domiciled students from low-income backgrounds and specified Black and mixed ethnic backgrounds
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Structured progression from master’s study to doctoral research
Additional Ring-Fenced Funding
Beyond scholarships, the programme includes dedicated funding to enhance impact and sustainability:
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Cohort-building and interdisciplinary training activities
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Postdoctoral-level opportunities for programme graduates
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Administrative support to ensure high-quality programme delivery
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Long-term research capacity and institutional legacy building
Eligible Research Areas
Each application must be based within a clearly defined subject or thematic research area identified as a priority by the applying institution or consortium. The research theme must:
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Be broad enough to support multiple doctoral cohorts
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Maintain a coherent academic identity
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Enable interdisciplinary collaboration
The following research areas are not eligible:
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Clinical or medical practice-based research
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Immediate commercial or product-focused research
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Advocacy-led or policy-commissioned research
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Database-only or purely evidence-gathering projects
Who Is Eligible to Apply
Applications may be submitted by:
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Any UK university holding research degree awarding powers
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Single institutions or consortia of up to two UK universities
Eligibility conditions include:
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One institution must act as lead applicant
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The lead institution is responsible for submission, funding management, and reporting
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Each lead institution may submit only one application
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Institutions may participate as partners in additional consortium bids in different subject areas
Why the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Matter
This programme plays a critical role in shaping the future of UK doctoral education by:
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Supporting large-scale, interdisciplinary research training
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Improving access to doctoral study for underrepresented groups
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Strengthening international research collaboration
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Providing structured postdoctoral transition opportunities
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Building long-term institutional research capacity
It represents a strategic investment in both people and research ecosystems.
How the Application Process Works
The application process is institution-led and competitive. It involves several structured components.
Step 1: Programme Design
Universities identify a priority research theme and design an interdisciplinary doctoral training model, including supervision, training, and cohort development.
Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
Applications must include:
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A short application form
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A detailed doctoral programme description
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Institutional supporting statements from designated senior representatives
Step 3: Consortium Coordination (if applicable)
For joint applications, partners must clearly define governance, supervision responsibilities, and balance of contribution.
Step 4: Submission by Lead Institution
The lead university submits the full application and assumes responsibility for ongoing reporting and financial management.
Assessment Criteria
Proposals are assessed based on:
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Strength and originality of the research theme
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Integration with existing doctoral provision
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Quality and depth of supervision
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Training and cohort-building plans
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Long-term academic and research legacy
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Effectiveness and balance of consortium partnerships, where relevant
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
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Proposing research themes that are too narrow or overly fragmented
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Including ineligible research areas such as clinical or policy-driven projects
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Weak articulation of interdisciplinary integration
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Insufficient planning for cohort development and postdoctoral progression
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Unclear governance structures in consortium applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum funding available per award?
Each Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships award can be worth up to £5 million over a maximum period of nine years.
How many doctoral students can be supported per programme?
Each programme supports 24 four-year doctoral scholarships, plus up to six additional students via a master’s plus PhD pathway.
Can international students apply for these doctoral scholarships?
Yes. International doctoral scholars are eligible for maintenance, tuition fees at international rates within the cap, and research and training support.
Are medical or clinical research areas eligible?
No. Research related to clinical practice, medical applications, or immediate commercial use is not eligible under this scheme.
Can universities apply as a consortium?
Yes. Applications may be submitted by a consortium of up to two UK universities, with one institution acting as the lead applicant.
How many applications can one university submit?
Each university may submit only one application as a lead institution but may participate as a partner in other consortium bids.
What types of students benefit from the master’s plus PhD pathway?
The pathway is designed for eligible UK-domiciled students from low-income backgrounds and specified Black and mixed ethnic backgrounds to support progression into doctoral study.
Conclusion
The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships offer a transformative opportunity for UK universities to deliver inclusive, interdisciplinary, and future-focused doctoral training at scale. By combining substantial long-term funding, cohort-based learning, and postdoctoral progression, the programme strengthens research excellence and builds sustainable academic capacity across the UK.
For more information, visit The Leverhulme Trust.
