Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme – Sustainable Transitions 2026

The Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme – Sustainable Transitions is a doctoral training scheme supported by the Leverhulme Trust and offered through the University of Essex. Based on the referenced opportunity, the programme can fund an integrated master's and PhD pathway linked to interdisciplinary research on sustainable transitions.

The programme is designed for doctoral researchers working on themes connected to sustainability, governance, justice, and transition challenges. In the referenced studentship, the funded project focuses on renewable energy transitions in Africa and combines perspectives from law, governance, environmental rights, and community power. This indicates that the programme supports interdisciplinary doctoral work with strong social, policy, and sustainability dimensions.

Funding in the referenced posting is fully funded and includes an annual stipend, training support, and research costs. Specifically, the posting states support of £20,780 per year, plus £2,500 for training and £10,000 for research costs and further training. Applicants should note that the exact package may vary by project within the programme.

Eligibility in the cited opportunity is targeted: applicants must be UK domiciled, must not already hold a master's degree, and must come from a low-income household background and/or belong to specified underrepresented ethnic groups. The opportunity is hosted by the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. Application is made through the relevant University of Essex research opportunity page for the specific studentship advertised under the programme.

• Provider: Leverhulme Trust
• Host institution in referenced posting: University of Essex
• Level: Integrated Master's and PhD / PhD training
• Funding: stipend plus training and research support
• Theme: Sustainable transitions