UK Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships 2026

About the scholarship

The UK Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships 2026 are fully funded research awards offered through the Leverhulme Trust’s Centenary Doctoral Scholarships scheme, aimed at supporting exceptional doctoral candidates engaged in interdisciplinary research at UK universities. Rather than accepting direct student applications, the scheme funds institutions to host up to thirty scholarships each, including places for both UK/Home and international students. The awards promote advanced research across broad priority areas determined by the host universities, fostering excellence and scholarly contribution over a typical funding period of up to 48 months for PhD study, or up to 60 months for a combined Master’s + PhD route in designated cases.

Successful scholars benefit from comprehensive coverage, including maintenance at standard UKRI levels, full tuition fees, and an additional £10,000 research and training fund to support project needs and professional development. International students receive tuition support up to a specified cap, while the master’s plus doctoral track is available for underrepresented UK candidates with targeted eligibility. Funded projects also receive institutional support for cohort building and postdoctoral transition. The institutional application deadline to the Trust is March 6, 2026, after which participating universities will advertise scholarship opportunities to prospective candidates.

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be admitted (or intend to be admitted) to a participating UK university with research degree-awarding powers . The university must be part of a Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships award.
  Individual students cannot apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust . Applications are managed through host institutions after grants are awarded. 
  Scholarships are offered for full-time doctoral (PhD) study; some schemes also offer a Master’s + PhD pathway for eligible underrepresented UK students.
  International students are eligible for a limited number of overseas fee-rate scholarships at each institution. 
  For the Master’s + PhD route, students must be UK domiciled and typically come from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds and not yet hold a master’s from the host institution.
  Research proposals must align with interdisciplinary priority areas set by the host university.
  Host universities select and nominate eligible candidates based on academic excellence and research potential.

Additional notes

The Leverhulme Centenary Doctoral Scholarships 2026 offer one of the most comprehensive fully funded PhD opportunities in the UK, supporting not only doctoral study but also postdoctoral progression. Interested candidates should monitor announcements from UK universities participating in the scheme, as student applications will be managed by them.