SUSTAIN PHD STUDENTSHIP PACKAGES

Funding for October 2027 Entry

Enhanced tax-free stipend available for eligible Home students

Students with Home fee status joining SUSTAIN in October 2027 are expected to receive an enhanced tax-free stipend of up to £30,000 per year through the UK Government’s TechFirst programme, subject final funding confirmation.

Students who are not eligible for enhanced award will receive the standard UKRI stipend rate.

In addition to the stipend, all students receive full tuition fee funding, a research training support grant, and access to SUSTAIN’s interdisciplinary training programme.

The enhanced stipend is based on funding information provided to sustain and remains subject to final funding confirmation.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Students will study a 4-year PhD at their host institution (the University of Lincoln, University of Aberdeen, Queen’s University Belfast or the University of Strathclyde), investigating a research area that links both an identified industry need and individual academic interests, helping to develop a new generation of AI systems across the food supply chain.

ASSOCIATED TRAINING

A cohort-based, integrated research training programme will take place throughout the 4-year PhD, to include tailored training pathways in Computation and Data, Animal Science, Agronomy, sustainable land management, and Responsible Innovation. SUSTAIN will deliver training in several formats, designed to meet the research development needs and learning styles of individual students. Students will also benefit from participation in the CDT’s annual summer schools and conferences.

STUDYING WITH US

Bringing together the expertise and resources of our four academic institutions, SUSTAIN spans the landscape of UK agriculture, critical AI research areas, and the national geography of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It provides training in technical and social science aspects of AI, alongside training in plant, animal and/or biosciences, tailored to individual students’ needs and interests.

Our fully-funded studentship package includes:

All PhD tuition fees paid
A tax-free stipend of up to £30,000 per year for eligible Home-fee students entering in October 2027 through the TechFirst programme (subject to final funding confirmation)
A tax-free stipend at standard UKRI rates for students not eligible for the enhanced award (£21,805 per year for 2026/27)
A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £3,000 per year (£12,000 in total)
Additional funding for outreach, dissemination and research development activities

The SUSTAIN CDT is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

FEES PAID

All PhD tuition fees paid

RESEARCH GRANT

For travel and training

TAX-FREE STIPEND

To cover living costs

EXTRA FUNDING

For outreach and events

WHY SUSTAIN?

This is your chance to make a real difference by helping to address the challenges facing the global agri-food industry - through application and/or consideration of AI: climate change, population growth, political pressures affecting migration, and the demographics of an ageing population.

If you are a dynamic, focussed graduate who either holds or is predicted a minimum upper second-class honours degree - apply to be part of the AI-enhanced food production revolution.

WHERE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AI SCIENCE TAKES ROOT

SUSTAIN is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln, Aberdeen, Queen’s Belfast and Strathclyde. Together, we're enabling the next generation of AI scientists to invent, develop and deploy technologies co-created with growers and agri-food practitioners to positively impact the future of food.