The Leverhulme Centenary Doctoral Scholarships offer one of the strongest funding opportunities for UK universities looking to train the next generation of researchers. With expanded support, new funding streams, and a clear focus on widening access, the 2026 round gives institutions a chance to support impactful, interdisciplinary PhD training. While graduates cannot apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust, understanding how the scheme works helps prospective students know what to expect from participating universities.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: UK
- Host University: University of Cambridge
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships/PhD Scholarship
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Monthly stipend, etc.
Scholarship Benefits
The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships provide major support for PhD training:
- Funding for 24 doctoral scholarships per award, covering maintenance, tuition fees, and an additional research and training allowance.
- Support for international students, with up to 6 scholarships offered at international fee levels.
- Master’s plus PhD scholarships for up to 6 students from underrepresented groups, covering 12 months of master’s funding plus 48 months of doctoral support.
- £10,000 research and training allowance for every doctoral scholar.
- £75,000 for cohort-building activities, helping create a strong academic community.
- Up to £400,000 for postdoctoral opportunities, providing early-career support for graduates of the programme.
- Up to £225,000 for administrative support, ensuring strong programme management.
- Funding flexibility for single universities or two-university consortia.
Each award can total up to £5 million and runs across nine years.
See Also:
- Mississippi State University Graduate Assistantship 2026: Fully Funded Scholarship in USA
- Texas Tech University Graduate Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Scholarship in USA
- Asian Development Bank Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in Asia
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility depends on the type of scholarship offered by the host university:
For PhD Scholarships (Standard Route)
- Typically open to UK/home students for 48 months of full-time doctoral study.
- International students may also apply if the university allocates one of its six international places.
For Master’s Plus Doctoral Scholarships (Additional Funding Route)
Students must meet the following:
- Be UK-domiciled.
- Must not already hold a master’s degree from the host institution.
- Must be from a low-income household, evidenced through financial support during undergraduate study.
And/or belong to one of the following ethnicity categories:
- Black African
- Black Caribbean
- Black Other
- Mixed White and Black Caribbean
- Mixed White and Black African
- Other mixed backgrounds that include African or Caribbean heritage
Universities handle their own selection processes, so criteria may be further refined at the institutional level.
Documents Required
Universities submitting the scholarship programme to the Leverhulme Trust must prepare:
- Biographical details of the principal applicant.
- Programme title.
- A 250-word summary covering research rationale, added value, supervision plans, cohort building, and long-term legacy.
- A detailed programme description explaining research focus, supervisory structure, student selection process, capacity, and how funding will be managed.
- For consortia: partnership details, management plans, distribution of studentships, and contingency plans.
Prospective PhD applicants will later submit documents directly to the participating universities, usually including academic transcripts, CV, references, and a research proposal.
Scholarship Deadline
Applications for the Leverhulme Centenary Doctoral Scholarships open in March 2026. Only UK universities can submit applications to the Leverhulme Trust. Individual students must apply through the universities once programmes receive funding.
Steps on How to Apply
Since students cannot apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust, follow this process:
- Check which UK universities are applying or have previously received Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships.
- Review the research theme chosen by the university, since each programme focuses on a specific interdisciplinary area.
- Prepare your academic documents, including transcripts, references, and research ideas.
- Submit your application directly to the selected university once it opens recruitment for its Leverhulme-funded PhD or Master’s plus PhD positions.
- Attend interviews or assessments if required by the institution.
- Wait for selection decisions, which are made by the university’s internal committee.
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