UKRI E3 2026
About this scholarship
UKRI E3 supports fully funded PhD studentships in England through Expanding Excellence in England-funded research centres and projects. Awards are project-specific and typically cover fees, a stipend, and research costs.
UKRI E3 generally refers to doctoral studentships linked to the Expanding Excellence in England (E3) funding stream supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), particularly through Research England. Rather than being a single nationwide scholarship with one central application form, E3 funding is commonly attached to specific PhD projects, research centres, or thematic initiatives at eligible universities in England.
Reference postings show E3-funded PhD opportunities at institutions such as the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Leeds, University of Kent, and Bournemouth University. Research areas can vary widely depending on the host project, including malaria and vector-borne disease research, airborne pathogen analysis, biodiversity and conservation, heritage science, plastics, materials, and design-related research.
These awards are typically fully funded PhD studentships. Posted benefits have included full tuition or programme fees, a maintenance stipend aligned with UKRI rates, and additional research training or project support for items such as consumables, equipment, travel, computing, publications, and other research-related costs. Duration commonly ranges from 3.5 to 4 years, depending on the project and institution.
Eligibility is set by the host university and individual studentship. Some posted E3 opportunities are open only to UK applicants or cover UK home-rate tuition fees, while others do not clearly state nationality restrictions in the summary posting. Applicants are usually expected to hold a strong academic background relevant to the project, often at least a good honours degree, and sometimes a master's degree where required for doctoral admission.
Students normally apply directly to the university or project advertisement, not to UKRI E3 as a standalone scholarship portal. Because deadlines, subject areas, and funding details differ by project, applicants should check the specific university posting carefully for entry requirements, documentation, English-language expectations, and closing dates.
Eligibility
Who can apply for this scholarship
Eligibility depends on the individual E3-funded PhD project and host university. Opportunities are generally for applicants suitable for doctoral research in the advertised field. Posted examples indicate that candidates are often expected to have a strong academic background in a relevant discipline, and some projects are restricted to UK applicants or to funding at the UK home-fee level.
Requirements
Documents typically needed to apply
Language requirements
Varies by host university; applicants whose first language is not English may need to meet the university's English-language requirements.
Where you can use this
Open positions accepting UKRI E3.
