ARIES: Advanced Research and Innovation in the Environmental Sciences

2025 studentships

Eligibility

ARIES studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which applies the eligibility criteria laid down by its parent body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). These are outlined in their Terms and Conditions of Training Grants document, and given in more detail in their Training Grant Guide (Annex 1), both of which can be found on the UKRI website.

UKRI announced that international students will be eligible for all UKRI-funded postgraduate studentships from the start of the 2021-22 academic year. UKRI will normally limit the proportion of international students appointed each year through individual doctoral training programmes to 30% of the total.

All UKRI-funded PhD students (UK, EU, International) will be eligible for the full award – both the stipend to support living costs, and fees at research organisations UK rate. UKRI funding will not cover international fees set by universities, but all ARIES partners have agreed to fund the top-up from UK to international fees. ARIES funding will not cover costs associated with visa or health surcharges, or additional costs associated with entry to, and living in the UK.

In case of uncertainty, please email ariesapp@essex.ac.uk.

How to apply

For October 2025 entry, the deadline for applications is 11.59pm (GMT) on 8 January 2025. Once you have reviewed the projects above, please send a covering letter and CV to ariesapp@essex.ac.uk, identifying the project that you’re interested in.

Training

ARIES students benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences. Full details regarding the training provision available can be found here.

As well as ARIES opportunities, you can also benefit from Proficio, our University's unique professional development scheme for doctoral students. You receive up to £2,500 during your studies to fund specialist training across a range of areas from research skills and managing a PhD, to presenting work and getting published.

ARIES also offers advanced training courses to other PhD students at partner universities. Students don't need to be in receipt of a studentship to participate.