Accessibility statement

Funding for Research Programmes

Research funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly Research Councils, charities, industries or a combination of these. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis and usually only applicants with a 2:1 equivalent or higher are likely to be considered. Eligibility for the funding varies; many grants have specific eligibility criteria based on nationality and/or residency, depending upon the funding body. Details are given with specific project adverts.

  • PhD projects that have been approved for potential funding are advertised on our website and interested applicants are invited to submit their application for consideration by the specified deadline.
  • A potential supervisor will arrange interviews and will inform an applicant if they are going to be nominated for funding.
  • If you are nominated by your supervisor for competitive funding, you will be interviewed by a Panel 
  • The final decision is made by the Chemistry Graduates Awards Panel.

Besides the scholarships listed below, you may be eligible for wider postgraduate funding, including:

Chemistry Department Studentships

Chemistry Department studentships are open to students who are eligble to pay tuition fees at the home rate. Studentships provide full tuition fees, living costs for 3 years and research training support costs.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships

EPSRC DTP studentships are open to students from any nationality, with up to 30% available to those paying tuition fees at the overseas rate. Studentships provide full tuition fees, living costs for 3.5 years and research training support costs.

Natural Environment Research Council Panorama Studentships 

NERC Panorama studentships are open to students from any nationality, with up to 30% available to those paying tuition fees at the overseas rate. Studentships provide full tuition fees, living costs for 3.5 years and research training support costs.

EPSRC Mobility DTP in Leadership and Excellence in Circular, Resource-efficient, Sustainable Manufacturing

One of a number of pilot programmes aimed at widening participation in Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) doctoral training, specifically those from industry and other non-academic backgrounds.

Applications for 2022/23 are still being accepted.

  • Funding: Four years' fees at the UK rate, maintenance stipend/salary contribution, and a Research Training Support Grant
  • Academic year: 2022/23
  • Open to: Students from the UK; non-UK applicants can also be considered for a limited number of places
  • Number available: Two

Closed opportunities

Closed opportunities may reopen for future academic years.

External opportunities

UK Government Doctoral Loan Scheme

  • Eligible candidates may be entitled to a loan of up to £26,445.

Find out more about the UK Government Doctoral Loan Scheme.

CONACyT Top Up Awards

If you have been awarded a CONACyT Scholarship, we will also offer you an additional £2,000 for each year of your programme. This is 3 years for PhD and 1 year for MSc by Research.

Country-specific opportunities

There are also a range of external bodies that have funding opportunities to offer, and it is always advisable to do some research yourself as to the opportunities available from your own country.

Find out more about country-specific opportunities

Self funding

Applications are always welcome from students who are able to fund their own studies. If you have your own funds, you are not restricted to the projects that we advertise. The Department is interested to hear about your own research interests and ideas; most supervisors are happy to devise a project that can encompass your own research interest whilst still fitting in with the direction of their own research group.