University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Offers £21,805 Annual Maintenance Grant
The University of Leeds is offering a funded PhD opportunity for students interested in sustainable animal nutrition, plant proteins and food science research. The doctoral scholarship provides an annual maintenance grant of £21,805 alongside UK-rate tuition fee coverage for up to three and a half years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
The PhD project, titled “Plant Protein Processing and Digestibility for Sustainable Animal Nutrition,” is based in the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition. The successful researcher is expected to begin the programme on February 1, 2027.
University of Leeds PhD Scholarship: Key Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Leeds |
| Study Level | PhD |
| School | School of Food Science and Nutrition |
| Research Area | Plant Protein Processing and Sustainable Animal Nutrition |
| Annual Maintenance Grant | £21,805 |
| Funding Duration | 3.5 Years |
| Tuition Support | UK Tuition Fees Covered |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Programme Start | February 1, 2027 |
| International Applications | Accepted |
What Will the PhD Research Focus On?
The research forms part of PROFEED, a Horizon Europe research and innovation project examining ways to strengthen European feed autonomy through sustainable plant-protein value chains. The Leeds project will investigate whether locally produced protein crops can provide effective alternatives to imported protein-rich feed ingredients such as soybean meal.
The successful researcher will evaluate the nutritional and functional properties of crops and feed ingredients before and after different processing methods. The work combines plant-protein chemistry, analytical biochemistry, digestion modelling and animal-feed research.
Key Research Activities
- Analyse protein content and amino-acid composition of plant-based feed ingredients.
- Evaluate crops including soybean, lupin, alfalfa and other legumes.
- Measure antinutritional factors such as tannins, phytic acid and saponins.
- Study how fermentation, hydrolysis and fractionation affect protein quality.
- Assess protein digestibility through laboratory gastrointestinal models.
- Investigate amino-acid bioaccessibility after processing.
- Compare laboratory results with outcomes from animal-feeding studies.
- Identify crop and processing combinations with potential for sustainable feed production.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
| Funding Component | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Maintenance Grant | £21,805 per year at the 2026-27 UKRI rate |
| Tuition Fees | UK-rate fees covered |
| Maximum Funding Period | 3.5 years |
| Renewal | Subject to satisfactory academic progress |
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. The University of Leeds lists the project as open to applicants of all nationalities, including international candidates. However, the scholarship covers tuition only at the UK fee rate. Overseas candidates would be responsible for paying the difference between the UK and international tuition fees.
This distinction is important for international students because the scholarship should not be interpreted as a complete international tuition-fee waiver. Applicants should calculate any remaining tuition liability before accepting an offer.
Eligibility and Important Conditions
- Applicants should satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the relevant PhD programme.
- Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree.
- Applicants currently studying for a PhD are not eligible.
- The successful candidate must take up the award by February 1, 2027.
- Students must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds while receiving the scholarship.
- Continued funding is subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Why the Research Matters
European animal-feed production remains dependent on imported protein ingredients, particularly soybean meal. Increasing the use of locally produced protein crops could reduce this dependence while supporting more resilient and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems.
The University of Leeds PhD project gives the successful candidate an opportunity to work within an international research programme while receiving interdisciplinary training in protein analysis, feed science, digestion modelling and data interpretation. With a £21,805 annual stipend and three-and-a-half years of funding, the scholarship offers substantial support for a researcher pursuing doctoral work in sustainable food and animal-nutrition science.
