NERC DLA in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE+)
This prestigious Natural Environment Research Council-funded Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) brings together the very best in environmental, ecological and evolutionary research from the Departments of Archaeology, Biology, Chemistry and Environment and Geography.
Applications for 2026/27 are open until Wednesday 7 January 2026, 5pm GMT
Spanning across the Universities of York, Sheffield and Liverpool, together with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) the Natural History Museum (NHM) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), you'll benefit from a doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. Our aim is to produce multi-skilled researchers equipped to tackle cutting-edge environmental science of global significance, embedded within a unique, supportive training environment.
At York, the ACCE+ DLA brings together researchers from the Departments of Biology, Environment and Geography, Archaeology and Chemistry. All projects are co-supervised, most of them with supervisors in different institutions, in order to foster innovative science, collegiality and breadth of experience.
The NERC ACCE+ is the only DLA with a clear emphasis on the biological component of environmental research within the context of climate change. This biological and climate core, combined with the international standing of the partners in biodiversity, climate, sustainability and related fields, makes ACCE+ a natural choice if you wish to undertake a PhD in biological and climate research or related disciplines.
Find out more about the NERC DLA in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment
NERC DLA in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE+) contact details
Biology PGR Admissions Team
biol-pgr-admissions@york.ac.uk
Eligibility
Open to UK (home) students only.
Candidates who need a student visa to study in the UK are not eligible to apply.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme we welcome applications if your background is in any relevant subject that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and experience for the DLA, including environmental, biological, chemical, mathematical, physical and social sciences.
The York ACCE+ DLA is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
How to apply
Application deadline: Wednesday 7 January 2026, 5pm GMT
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Notes and details of how to apply |
How we allocate
Supervisors can only nominate one student for consideration per project. Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and applicants are normally notified promptly.
If you're shortlisted you'll be invited for an interview. As part of the interview process, you'll be asked to make a five-minute presentation on a research project you've undertaken.
You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list, or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions
The studentships are fully funded for three and a half years and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You'll receive a minimum of £19, 237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax-free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and transport to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.
As a member of the York Graduate Research School, you will study throughout the whole year, working for at least 35 hours per week, and will have a usual annual leave entitlement (normally 30 days over the year plus public holidays). You are encouraged to make use of your leave and have a responsibility to discuss the timing of this with your supervisor (for longer periods of holiday) and recording leave taken throughout the year. Students working in collaboration with non-academic partners are expected to bear in mind their obligations to those partners in planning leave.
You must adhere to the University’s regulations, policies and guidance regarding research degree programmes.
As part of the York ACCE+ DLA programme you are expected to attend all mandatory induction, meetings and training sessions scheduled by the DLA and by your home Department.
Projects
Our ACCE+ DLA programme in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE)+ offers projects aligned with the grand challenges in environmental research:
- securing ecosystem services and environmental resources
- predicting and mitigating impacts of climate change
- understanding the dynamics of biodiversity
- mechanisms of evolutionary change.
Please try to identify a research project that suits you, which should ensure a proper match between your research interests and your prospective supervisors.
If you're interested in more than one project we'd encourage that you attend several of the web-based Q&A sessions run by the project supervisors, where you can ask questions and get a better sense of the project requirements and the supervisory team to help you decide to which project you would wish to apply to and maximise your chances of obtaining a studentship. Webinar details can be found in each project description.