HPRU Climate Change and Health Security PhD Studentships 2026
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), University College London (UCL), and the Met Office, has announced an exciting opportunity for aspiring researchers. Funding has been awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to host the Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Climate Change and Health Security. As part of this initiative, three fully funded PhD studentships will be offered for the academic year 2025/2026.
These studentships are a chance to conduct research at the intersection of climate change and public health—directly feeding into national policy and real-world health protection strategies. Students will benefit from LSHTM’s world-renowned training environment, cross-institutional supervision, and opportunities for placements with UKHSA and the Met Office.
Scholarship Award Package
The HPRU Climate Change and Health Security PhD Studentships provide an impressive funding package to support selected candidates throughout their studies. The award includes:
- Full tuition fees at Home rate (as determined under LSHTM’s Fee Assessment Policy).
- Annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 (UKRI rate for 2025/26).
- Access to extensive training programmes offered by LSHTM, NIHR, and partner institutions.
- Research and networking opportunities, including short-term placements at UKHSA and the Met Office.
- Conference funding to enable national and international academic participation.
These studentships will provide not only financial stability but also exceptional professional development opportunities, preparing graduates for careers in academia, public health practice, or both.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for one of the three available PhD studentships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a relevant undergraduate and Master’s degree (both with strong results). In exceptional cases, a strong undergraduate degree combined with relevant work experience may be accepted.
- Demonstrate attention to detail, strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work independently while managing deadlines.
- Show a genuine interest in applied climate change and health protection research in the UK.
- Applicants must be eligible for Home fee status—this opportunity is not open to overseas fee-paying candidates.
In addition, each specific research project under the HPRU has its own eligibility requirements, which applicants should carefully review before applying.
Application Process
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their proposed primary supervisor for an informal discussion before submitting an application.
To apply, candidates must submit a complete research degree application online through the LSHTM application portal. Required documents include:
- Official academic transcripts (completed and ongoing studies).
- A two-page Curriculum Vitae.
- Two references.
- A brief research proposal (under 500 words) for the first-choice project, indicating 2nd and 3rd preferences if applicable.
- A personal statement (under 300 words) explaining motivation and suitability.
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 5:00 PM (BST), 20 October 2025
- Interviews: Shortly after the application deadline
- Programme Start: Academic year 2025/2026 (three-year duration).