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HOW TO APPLY FOR A SUSTAIN PHD STUDENTSHIP
LATEST APPLICATION
INFORMATION
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APPLICATIONS FOR OCTOBER 2026 ARE NOW CLOSED.
Thank you for your interest in SUSTAIN. Applications for October 2026 entry have now closed. New funded PhD projects for October 2027 entry will be advertised from September 2026.
Stay informed: Check back in mid-September for details of upcoming projects and application guidance, or join our mailing list to receive updates and be among the first to hear when applications reopen.
October 2027 opportunities coming soon!
PROJECT SELECTION
You will apply for a 4-year PhD programme under the supervision of a team led by one of our four partner universities. Successful Candidates will be based at the University leading their specific project. Academic staff and partners have co-created projects based on key industry challenges, which will be shaped with your input during the first year of your PhD. All projects will benefit from external partner involvement.
In your application, you will be asked to select up to 3 projects, in order of preference, that match your skills, experience and interests.
Please note that due to funding restrictions, some projects may not be available to international applicants. The eligibility criteria will be specified next to each project.
TIPS TO READ BEFORE APPLYING
1
PREPARE IN ADVANCE
We strongly recommend preparing your answers in a Word document before starting the online application.
The form does not save automatically, and navigating back or exiting the form will cause information to be lost.
Once you've prepared your answers to the questions (see below), you can then cut and paste your responses into the form when you’re ready.
2
USE MICROSOFT EDGE
Use a Microsoft account if you have one. If you do not already have a Microsoft account, you will be prompted to create one before you save your submission.
Once you have submitted your form, please save a copy of your application for your records.
3
TROUBLESHOOTING
We recommend that you disable any adblockers, and to try incognito mode if you run into any issues with submission.
After you've submitted, you should receive an acknowledgement email within 10 minutes. If you don't receive this email, contact us at: SUSTAIN@lincoln.ac.uk
QUESTIONS TO PREPARE
Why do you want to pursue a PhD? (100 words)
What appeals to you about joining a CDT, and SUSTAIN in particular? (100 words)
How will a PhD from the SUSTAIN CDT help you achieve your career goals? (150 words)
For each project you select:
Why did you choose this project, supervisory team and host institution? (200 words – please do not include any personal identifying information)
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND PROCESS
The SUSTAIN CDT uses a two-stage application process. Your application will be considered complete when both stages have been submitted. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
STAGE 1: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM
Applicants must first complete the SUSTAIN Online Application Form, which collects:
Personal details
Project preferences
Personal statement(s)
After submitting the form, please save a copy of your application for your records. If you do not already have a Microsoft account, you will be prompted to create one before you save your submission. We strongly recommend preparing your answers in a Word document before starting the online application. The form does not save automatically, and navigating back or exiting the form will cause information to be lost.
STAGE 2: EMAIL YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
After you receive our acknowledgement email, please reply to it and attach all required documents. Your email should include:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Academic transcripts
Any documents required for international applicants, such as:
Immigration check codes
Evidence of recent English language qualifications
Your application is not complete until these documents have been received.
IF YOU DO NOT RECIVE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT EMAIL WITHIN 10 MINUTES CONTACT US AT: SUSTAIN@lincoln.ac.uk
REFERENCES
References are required for the full application but will only be requested after interview. You do not need to submit references during the initial application stages.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
The SUSTAIN CDT is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those that are underrepresented in STEM. To ensure a fair recruitment process, all applications are anonymised before review by the SUSTAIN Admissions Committee (SAC) and project teams. Identifying information is removed to help reduce the potential for unconscious bias.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Your Personal Statement is now completed within the online application form. You will be asked to answer a series of structured questions designed to help you demonstrate your motivation, experience and suitability for the projects you are applying for.
This personal statement is a crucial part of your application. It is your one opportunity to stand out, capture the attention of project teams, and increase your chances of being shortlisted. A clear, thoughtful and authentic personal statement often makes the difference between otherwise similar applicants.
We strongly advise against using AI tools to generate your personal statements. While AI -generated answers may appear polished at first glance, they are noticeably generic. Statements that reflect your own voice and genuine motivation are consistently more persuasive, and applicants that invest time in expressing their authentic perspective generally perform better in the selection process.
ANONYMISATION REQUIREMENTS
To ensure a fair and unbiased review, all identifying information must be removed from your personal statement responses. Please do not include any of the following:
Your name
Your nationality or country of residence
Employer or organisation names
Names of educational institutions
Links to authored papers, portfolios, or websites containing your identity
This information will be redacted (removed) from your statement(s) prior to shortlisting.
During anonymisation, information about your project preferences will also be removed before review.
HEAR FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Advice on how to craft a strong and compelling personal statement from SUSTAIN Director Professor Simon Parsons.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Please note that if you have applied to the SUSTAIN AI CDT three times without being shortlisted for interview, you will not be eligible to reapply to the programme for one year.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The SUSTAIN Admissions Committee and Project Teams will evaluate your application based on the SUSTAIN Skills Matrix to shortlist and select successful candidates.
If you are selected for interview, you will need to give a presentation explaining your interest in your selected project(s) and SUSTAIN. Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Subject knowledge
Communication skills
Industry knowledge
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY – QUALIFICATIONS
As a minimum applicants must hold the following:
A minimum first class or 2:1 Bachelor's degree or MSc with merit in a relevant subject area
Non-native English speakers must hold a minimum qualification equivalent to IELTs 6.5. A Bachelor's or Master's degree from an English-speaking University will also be considered.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY - RESIDENCY
Both home and international students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies and any time spent overseas should be for the purposes of fieldwork/long-term attachment.
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the criteria and the associated residency requirements described in the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions – Annex B here: UKRI training grant guidance – UKRI. Please note, the SUSTAIN Team cannot assess a candidate’s eligibility for home-fees status, and submitting an incorrect fee classification may result in a studentship offer being withdrawn.
If a candidate does not meet the home student criteria, they would be classed as an international student.
International students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5. The standard UKRI cap of 30% open eligibility for studentships applies to all CDT grants. The 30% cap is per academic year intake (CDT cohort) from the Academic Year 2024/25 onwards.
Part time study is available.
