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.
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 (reserved for underrepresented groups) 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). The studentships listed are for home students.
Contact the first supervisor for the project you are interested in to discuss your ideas.
Complete the Connect cover form.
Prepare your personal statement and your research proposal.
Then complete the online application form for either Roehampton or Cranfield (PhD in Water) dependent on where the project will be registered.
For Roehampton select 'Environmental Studies' from the drop-down menu.
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.
Once you have submitted your application please email Professor Anne Robertson to confirm your application stating your name and which project you have applied for'.
The deadline to apply is 25 February 2026 at 4pm. Please apply promptly..
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)