DAERA Studentships 2025 PhD in Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Development

The DAERA UK and Ireland Postgraduate Studentships 2025 offer a fully funded opportunity for both international and domestic students interested in pursuing PhD and studentship level programs. These scholarships focus on areas of vital global importance, including Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Development. The studentships are available at top UK and Ireland universities and are designed to support groundbreaking research that contributes to environmental sustainability.

Degree Level and Available Subjects

Eligible Degree Levels:

• PhD Programs
• Studentship Programs

Available Fields of Study:

• Agriculture
• Environment
• Rural Development

These subjects are aligned with DAERA’s research goals, which emphasize sustainability and impactful research.

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Benefits of the DAERA Studentships

The DAERA Postgraduate Studentships come with comprehensive financial support and a focus on high-impact research:

• Tuition Fees: Fully covered, paid directly to the university.
• Maintenance Allowance: £19,237 for the 2024/25 academic year (2025 rates will be confirmed).
• Additional Support: Includes funds for conference expenses, overseas fieldwork, and research training.

The studentships aim to facilitate pioneering research, especially in areas like the Lough Neagh Nature-Based Solutions Initiative.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality & Residency Requirements:

To be eligible for the DAERA studentship, applicants must meet specific residency conditions:

• Northern Ireland Residency: Must have lived in Northern Ireland for at least 3 years before October 1, 2025.
• Non-EU Nationals: Must not have resided in Northern Ireland primarily for study purposes.
• EU Nationals: Must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
• Republic of Ireland Nationals: Must have met the 3-year residency requirement in Northern Ireland.
• Refugees & Others: Must have lived in the UK since the grant of their immigration status.

Academic Qualifications:

Applicants should meet the following academic qualifications:

• A First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree from a UK or Irish university (or equivalent).
• Final-year students (graduating by June 2025) can apply, provided they meet the academic requirements.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to undertake and benefit from PhD research.
• Applicants who have been registered for a doctoral degree for more than 1 year are not eligible.

Research Proposal Alignment:

• The proposed research must align with DAERA’s Research Needs for 2025, especially those addressing Lough Neagh Nature-Based Solutions.

Funding Restrictions:

• Applicants cannot hold another award that provides maintenance and fees alongside the DAERA studentship.

Application Process

Steps to Apply:

1. Develop a Research Proposal: Focus on one of DAERA’s specified research needs.
2. Secure Supervisor Support: Obtain confirmation from a supervisor at your chosen university.
3. Submit Academic Reference and University Offer: Include an academic reference and an official offer of admission from the university.
4. Submit Application: Applications must be submitted by midnight on February 25, 2025.

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: February 25, 2025
• Interviews: April 14–16, 2025 (Clare House, Belfast)
• Offer Letters: April 2025 (for Research Need 4.1), May 2025 (for other areas)
• Studentship Start Date: October 1, 2025

How to Apply:

Submit your application through the official DAERA Postgraduate Studentship Portal. For queries, contact [email protected].