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PhD Programme
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Global Grand Challenges Studentships

Global Grand Challenges Studentships are a new initiative launched by Durham University in 2024 (first intake October 2025) to support excellent early career researchers wishing to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

This call is for research and researchers aligned to SDG13: Climate Action for projects that aim to address issues associated with climate change and building a more resilient global future.

Available Awards

  • In this current call, there are five studentships for research aligned to SDG13 available to commence in October 2025.
  • The awards are open to candidates wishing to study in all academic departments across all four Faculties of the University and we are especially keen to support multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary projects and/or supervision, especially where these straddle Faculties.
  • The studentships are open to candidates eligible for both home and international fees.
  • Studentship funding will be available for a period of 3.5 years (full time equivalent).
  • Studentships cannot normally be deferred beyond January 2026 or started before October 2025.

Financial Support

  • Global Grand Challenge Studentships cover:
    • Full tuition fees
    • Tax-free stipend (UKRI-matched; figure to be confirmed spring 2025 - for 2024 entry this was £19,237)
    • £5000 research support and training fund

Eligibility/Requirements

  • Please note that applicants must comply with standard terms and conditions of Durham University studentship awards and must not be:
  • currently registered doctoral students
  • receiving any other studentship funding, e.g., from a national government, research council or charity
  • In full-time work during the term of the studentship if successful
  • We are looking for candidates with the following:
  • A 1st or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or relevant comparable experience
  • A strong academic record and research potential
  • A research proposal for a high-quality, feasible and manageable PhD project that can be completed within the funded period of 3.5 years, with potential impact in the area of SDG13: Climate Action. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals and supervision are encouraged.
  • International applicants must meet the University’s entry requirements (e.g. IELTS requirements) with the potential for an 'unconditional offer' by the deadline.

Competition Process

  • Candidates wishing to apply for a Global Grand Challenge Studentship must complete the University's Postgraduate Application Form and submit all other supporting documentation to their home Department/School by the date detailed in the competition timeline 
  • When completing the postgraduate application form, candidates should state that they wish to be considered for the Global Grand Challenge Studentship scheme
  • Candidates also need to provide the following documentation to their prospective department/school:
  • A 1,000-word research proposal (embedding within the nomination form) outlining the proposed research question, methodology, potential impact, potential ethical considerations;
  • Current CV (max 2 pages);
  • Two references; one may be a Durham reference and the other reference must be provided by a referee who is independent of Durham University;
  • Transcripts of previous qualifications.
  • The supervisory team should also complete the Global Grand Challenge Studentship nomination form providing details on issues such as supervision and alignment to SD13.
  • Departments/Schools should collate and submit eligible applications electronically to the Associate PVC for Postgraduate Research, who will be administering the process. Nominations should be submitted to pvcpgrs@durham.ac.uk by the deadline indicated in Appendix 1.
  • Applications must be complete at the time these are submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Eligible candidates will be assessed and graded against the assessment criteria outlined in Appendix 2.
  • The Associate PVC for Postgraduate Research will chair the Global Grand Challenge Studentship panel which will include representatives from all four Faculties of the University.
  • Following the meeting of the Global Grand Challenge Studentship panel, successful and unsuccessful candidates and their host departments will be informed, including (where appropriate) when candidates are placed on a reserve list.
  • Feedback will not be provided directly to students.
  • Where a Department/School is aware that a nominated candidate has decided to withdraw from the competition, this should be reported to the Associate PVC for Postgraduate Research immediately.
  • As this is an open competitive process there is no right of appeal of the outcome.
  • Awards and offer letters will be processed and issued by the University’s Student Immigration and Funding Services.

Further Information

  • If candidates have any questions about applying for a Global Grand Challenge Studentship, they should contact their prospective Department or School in the first instance.

Timeline

  • 3rd February 2025 by 5pm: Applications received by Department/School
  • 17th February 2025 by 5pm: Deadline for Departments/Schools to forward eligible applications to the Associate OVC for Postgraduate Research.
  • March 2025: Studentships panel meeting
  • April 2025: Results announced