DAERA Postgraduate Studentships

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), funds twelve new postgraduate studentships each year. These are 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).

The DAERA Postgraduate Studentship competition for this year closed on Tuesday 20 February 2024.

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 2023/ 24 the maintenance allowance for a research studentship is £18,622. Allowances for 2024 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 need, relevant policies/strategies and terms and conditions

Your research proposal must address one of DAERA's research needs for 2024. Before you apply for a 2024 Postgraduate Studentship, you should refer to DAERA relevant policies/ strategies and terms and conditions 2024/25.

The research needs for 2024, DAERA relevant policies/ strategies and terms and conditions for 2024/ 2025 are available at:

2024 DAERA Postgraduate Studentships: 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: 2024 DAERA Postgraduate Studentships: 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 20 February 2024.

Criteria based interviews will be held from 25 to 27 March 2024 at:

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

Offers will be issued in April 2024 and studentships will start on 1 October 2024. Funding is provided for three years ending on 30 September 2027.

If you have any queries about DAERA Postgraduate Studentships email postgraduate@daera-ni.gov.uk

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