Fully Funded PhD Studentships in Community-Focused Research Across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland Collaboratory Research Hub (projects hosted at Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, or Loughborough University) in United Kingdom

The Collaboratory Research Hub is offering 21 fully funded PhD studentships for a three-year, full-time doctoral training programme focused on addressing challenges that matter most to local communities in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland. These opportunities are designed for candidates passionate about making a real difference through research in areas such as public health, social justice, education, environmental science, urban planning, psychology, history, and political science.

Projects are hosted at leading institutions including Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, and Loughborough University. Each PhD project is led by a research candidate and supported by teams of academic researchers and community-focused partners. Research topics span a wide range, including sustainable urban nature, financial resilience, addiction recovery, energy-efficient housing, community-based sports, green prescribing, creative programmes for refugees, inclusive carer training, regeneration, educational development, political literacy, bereavement support, social justice, flood resilience, health inequalities, fuel poverty, childhood health, youth transformation, and wellbeing in diverse communities.

The studentships provide a comprehensive funding package covering tuition fees and a living stipend for the duration of the programme. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, which generally require a relevant undergraduate or master's degree and competencies aligned with the chosen project. Individual projects may have additional requirements, so candidates should review project-specific details and attend information webinars for guidance. The application process is designed to be inclusive, with support sessions and webinars available to help applicants prepare strong submissions.

Applications must be submitted online via the Collaboratory Research Hub website. Offline forms are available for planning, but final applications must be completed online. The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm on Sunday, 30 November 2025. Successful candidates will be notified by 23 December 2025, with interviews scheduled in January and February 2026. The programme commences on 1 April 2026.

For more information, visit the Collaboratory Research Hub website and attend an information webinar or drop-in session. This is a unique opportunity to engage in impactful, community-driven research with full financial support and expert guidance.