ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work Scholarship 2026/27 at the University of Leeds

Overview

The University of Leeds, through Leeds University Business School and the ESRC Research Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit), is offering a prestigious PhD scholarship for the 2026/27 academic cycle. The successful candidate will investigate the doctoral project titled "Building good work and digital skills within a regional digital eco-system." The program provides an opportunity to research how regional economies and local institutions adapt to technological shifts, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

Benefits

Full academic tuition fee coverage for up to 3 years of full-time study.
A tax-free maintenance grant valued at £21,805 for the 2026/27 session, with annual increases in line with UKRI rates, provided for up to 3.5 years.
Access to specialized doctoral networks, training support, conference attendance funding, and research collaboration resources through Digit and Leeds University Business School.

Eligibility

Open to both home and international applicants meeting the standard University of Leeds PhD admission criteria.
Normally requires a First Class or Upper Second Class British Bachelor’s Honours degree (or international equivalent) alongside a relevant Master’s degree or professional qualification (with a minimum average of 60% where applicable).
Non-native English speakers must satisfy language proficiencies, such as an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or an approved equivalent.
New postgraduate researchers only; candidates who already hold a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD program are excluded.

How to Apply

Submit an online research degree application through the University of Leeds system at least eight weeks prior to the final deadline to secure a student ID.
Clearly state within your application that you wish to be considered for "The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work centre scholarship," specifying your research area as Digital Futures at Work and naming Professor Mark Stuart as your proposed supervisor.
Prepare and submit required documentation, including degree transcripts, certificates, English test results, and a comprehensive research proposal of no more than six pages that aligns with the advertised theme.

Deadline

The final deadline to submit complete scholarship and study applications is 31 October 2026, with the scholarship scheduled to commence on 1 February 2027.

Overview

Benefits

Full academic tuition fee coverage for up to 3 years of full-time study.

A tax-free maintenance grant valued at £21,805 for the 2026/27 session, with annual increases in line with UKRI rates, provided for up to 3.5 years.

Access to specialized doctoral networks, training support, conference attendance funding, and research collaboration resources through Digit and Leeds University Business School.

Eligibility

Open to both home and international applicants meeting the standard University of Leeds PhD admission criteria.

Normally requires a First Class or Upper Second Class British Bachelor’s Honours degree (or international equivalent) alongside a relevant Master’s degree or professional qualification (with a minimum average of 60% where applicable).

Non-native English speakers must satisfy language proficiencies, such as an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or an approved equivalent.

New postgraduate researchers only; candidates who already hold a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD program are excluded.

How to Apply

Submit an online research degree application through the University of Leeds system at least eight weeks prior to the final deadline to secure a student ID.

Clearly state within your application that you wish to be considered for "The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work centre scholarship," specifying your research area as Digital Futures at Work and naming Professor Mark Stuart as your proposed supervisor.

Prepare and submit required documentation, including degree transcripts, certificates, English test results, and a comprehensive research proposal of no more than six pages that aligns with the advertised theme.