Round 2 applications for the SUSTAIN PhD Studentship for October 2026 are now open. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all guidance materials to understand the two-stage application process. This year, SUSTAIN CDT offers an enhanced stipend of £10,000 for Home students, above the UKRI minimum, as part of the TechExpert pilot.
Application Deadline:
- 20 March 2026 (12 PM GMT)
Tell Me About The Award:
The SUSTAIN Scholarship is a fully funded 4-year PhD studentship offered through the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT). It focuses on applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform agriculture and food production sustainably. The programme is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln, Aberdeen, Queen’s Belfast, and Strathclyde, combining academic excellence with industry partnerships.
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Which Fields are Eligible?
Applicants can choose up to three projects in areas such as:
- Deep Learning & Computer Vision for biodiversity monitoring
- AI for supply chain efficiency and sustainability
- Behavioural nudges for healthier red meat consumption
- AI in insect-based industries
- Satellite imagery for COâ‚‚ emissions from trawler fleets
- Cover crop monitoring and decision support
- Federated learning for nutrient and carbon management
- AI characterisation of bacteriophages in poultry
- Vision-based modelling of dairy cattle welfare
Type:
- PhD Scholarship | Fully Funded | AI & Agri-Food.
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Hold at least a First Class or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree or MSc with merit in a relevant subject.
- Non-native English speakers: IELTS ≥ 6.5 (or equivalent).
- Be resident in the UK for the majority of studies (overseas stays only for fieldwork/attachments).
How are Applicants Selected?
- Based on academic merit, project fit, and personal statement.
- Applicants can select up to three preferred projects.
- Some projects may be restricted to home applicants only.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- All countries worldwide (international and home students eligible).
Where will the Award be Taken?
- At one of the partner universities: Lincoln, Aberdeen, Queen’s Belfast, or Strathclyde (UK).
How Many Awards?
- Not specified (multiple PhD studentships available).
What is the Benefit of the Award?
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Annual tax-free stipend of £31,805.
- Research Training Support Grant (RTSG): £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 total).
- Access to a multidisciplinary research environment and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Comprehensive training and development programmes.
How Long Will the Award Last?
- 4 years (full PhD duration).
Required Documents:
- Online application form (personal details, project preferences, personal statement).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Academic transcripts.
- Immigration check codes (for international applicants).
- Proof of English language proficiency (if required).
How to Apply:
- Review eligibility and available projects.
- Complete the online application form (select up to 3 projects).
- Submit personal statement and project preferences.
- Reply to the acknowledgement email with supporting documents (CV, transcripts, and English test results if applicable).
- Submit before 20 March 2026, 12 PM GMT.
