DAERA Postgraduate Studentships

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), funds full-time postgraduate studentships for a three year period of research leading to a PhD qualification at a university in the United Kingdom (UK) or Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Apply for a DAERA postgraduate studentship

The DAERA Postgraduate Studentship competition closed on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

The value of a DAERA postgraduate studentship

A full DAERA award includes the cost of approved fees as well as maintenance support. In academic year 2024/ 25 the maintenance allowance for a research studentship is £19,237. Allowances for 2025 are to be confirmed.

DAERA pay fees directly to your university. Other expenses which may be covered are:

conference expenses if you are presenting your research
Research Training Support Grant – paid by DAERA to your study centre
overseas fieldwork – DAERA may contribute to costs where it is essential to your research programme

These awards are not affected by your parent’s income or your current income, but if you are receiving similar support from industry or a university, you may not be eligible for a studentship.

DAERA Research needs and terms and conditions

Your research proposal must address one of DAERA's research needs for 2025. DAERA intends to fund a minimum of three Lough Neagh nature-based solutions Studentships from the 2025 competition (Research Need 4.1), meeting Action 34 of the Lough Neagh Action Plan (subject to minimum standards being achieved at interview for selection criteria 1, 2 and 3 as outlined at 6.3 and 7 of terms and conditions 2025).

The research needs for 2025 and DEARA terms and conditions for 2025/ 26 are available at:

DAERA Postgraduate Studentship 2025: Research Needs, Terms and Conditions

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for consideration for a DAERA studentship, you must satisfy ALL the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency and academic qualifications. Further details can be found in the terms and conditions found here:

DAERA Postgraduate Studentship 2025: Research Needs, Terms and Conditions

How to apply for a DAERA postgraduate studentship

When applying for a DAERA postgraduate studentship, you must include a unique research proposal supported by at least one supervisor from the proposed study centre.

You must also send an academic reference from the institution of your primary degree and the offer of a place at the proposed university, supporting your research proposal.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

Criteria based interviews will be held from 14 to 16 April 2025 at:

Clare House,
303 Airport Road West,
Belfast,
BT3 9ED.

If you have any queries about DAERA Postgraduate Studentships email:

postgraduate@daera-ni.gov.uk

Offers addressing Research Need 4.1 (Lough Neagh nature-based solutions) will be issued in April 2025, followed by all other offers in May. Studentships will start on October 1 2025. Funding is provided for three years and will end on September 30 2028.

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