Research Councils and Studentships

Research Councils

The UKRI Research Councils are publicly funded bodies that support research and studentships across a range of subject areas. High numbers of awards are received by our postgraduate students in recognition of the quality of the world-class research carried out at Oxford. Some colleges also provide partnership awards linked to Research Council awards, details of which are available under College Partnership Awards.

UKRI award postgraduate studentships to both home and international students, including fees (up to that research council’s UK rate) and living stipend. UKRI will normally limit the proportion of international students appointed each year through individual doctoral training programmes to 30% of the total. Further information can be found on the UKRI website. 

How do I apply?

For full details about eligibility requirements and how to apply, please see the information about the relevant council below.

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

The AHRC provides public funding in support of research into the arts and humanities. Oxford participates in the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards, providing a small number of scholarships each year across humanities subject areas between 2026 and 2030. To be considered for a Landscape Award you should apply to your DPhil course by the early January application deadline.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

The BBSRC supports the UK's world-leading position in bioscience. It aims to promote and support high quality basic, strategic and applied research and postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems. BBSRC studentship funding, including Industrial CASE studentship funding, will be awarded primarily through the Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Landscape Award. Questions about BBSRC funding should be directed to [email protected]. 

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

The EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. Applicants for doctoral research within the EPSRC remit will automatically be considered for EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award funding. In addition to these open eligibility awards, EPSRC funds a number of Centres for Doctoral Training at Oxford (sometimes known as Doctoral Focal Awards), which can be found on the A-Z of courses page. EPSRC also supports a number of Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (use the search term 'IDLA' – these studentships are typically advertised slightly later, check between November to January for opportunities). Questions about EPSRC funding should be directed to the relevant department or CDT.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK’s largest organisation for funding research on social and economic issues. The University, in collaboration with Brunel University of London and the Open University, hosts the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership.

ESRC funding covers both full and part-time study and the DTP offers a variety of award structures and lengths, depending on prior training and course arrangements. A Masters qualification is not a prerequisite for studying with the Grand Union DTP, some pathways have options for students without a Masters who are intending to carry out doctoral research.

In order to be considered for a Grand Union DTP ESRC studentship, you must select 'ESRC Grand Union DTP' in the University of Oxford Scholarships section of the University's graduate application form. You must complete a Grand Union DTP Application Form and upload it, together with your graduate application form, by the relevant funding deadline for your course.

Full details can be found on the Grand Union DTP website. Please ensure you have read all of the guidance available on the website before completing the Grant Union DTP Studentship Application Form. Questions can be directed to the Grand Union DTP Office.

Medical Research Council (MRC)

The MRC supports research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of enhancing health, preventing human illness, and improving the quality of life across the UK. The University of Oxford receives a Doctoral Training Partnership grant from the MRC from which Oxford-MRC DTP studentships are created and awarded.

In order to be considered for funding, applications must be received by the December deadline (Tuesday 2 December 2025). Certain MRC-funded units and centres receive a direct allocation of MRC studentship funding; usually, all eligible applicants that apply by the December deadline are automatically considered for these awards. In some cases, however, they are advertised separately by individual departments. More information can be found on the Oxford MRC DTP page.

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

NERC is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. Their work covers the full range of atmospheric, earth, biological, terrestrial and aquatic science. NERC funding at Oxford will be awarded primarily through the Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Sciences Landscape Award. Questions about NERC funding should be directed to [email protected]. Oxford is also a member of the NERC-funded EcoWild CDT, which focuses on protecting the Earth’s vulnerable wetlands. Questions about the NERC EcoWild CDT funding should be directed to [email protected].

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The STFC support, promote and coordinate research into spheres ranging from particle and nuclear physics to space, laser and materials science. Opportunities for STFC funding at Oxford are advertised on the relevant department pages, accessible via the Departments A-Z page. Questions about STFC funding should also be referred to the relevant department. 

Research Councils College Partnership Awards

Research Councils College Partnership Awards are fully-funded Research Council scholarships which are partially funded by a college. All Research Councils allow graduate studentship funding to be partnered with other sources of funding, thereby allowing universities to increase the number of studentships available. The College Partnership Awards are only tenable at the college providing the funding.

There is no separate application process for the College Partnership Awards and all eligible graduate candidates who are awarded a Research Councils studentship will be considered. We may move your application to a college offering a partnership award, even if this is not your preferred college (for applicants who have stated a preference on the graduate application form).