Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has announced the opening of the 2025 DAERA Postgraduate Research Studentship competition.
Through the competition, DAERA will fund PhD Research Studentships to support innovative research across a range of strategically important areas of need.
Applications must be submitted before midnight on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The three-year Studentships will commence on October 1, 2025.
Commenting on the launch of the competition, Minister Muir said: “I am proud to announce this year’s competition for 2025 which will make such a valuable contribution to DAERA’s science programme with innovation and science central to my department’s research requirements.
“This annual £900k investment by my department in local research and innovation, offers a number of funding opportunities for projects in some of the most ground breaking issues of the day notably the issues we are facing in Lough Neagh.
“Protecting Lough Neagh and the environment is one of the priorities of the draft Programme for Government and importantly, this competition follows through on an action contained within the Lough Neagh Report, as well as investing in the wider science agenda,” the minister added.
Currently three DAERA-funded PhD students are carrying out Lough Neagh-related research.
Graduates are encouraged to submit research proposals across a range of research needs under five major themes of Climate, Sustainable Agri-Food Systems, One Health, Natural Environment and Rural Affairs.
DAERA funding for graduate research
As part of the launch of this year’s competition, Minister Muir met James Thompson, a DAERA-funded PhD student in his final year at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Ulster University (UU).
James is modelling the influence of climate and nutrient pressures on lake quality in Northern Ireland.
Speaking about his work he said: “Deterioration of lake water quality within Northern Ireland has primarily resulted from decades of persistent excess nutrient loading and is exacerbated by global climate pressures.
“My research has involved characterising the control of nutrient supplies and rising water temperature on Lough Neagh water quality. My work will equip lake managers with information on realistic water quality target setting and help guide lake recovery from eutrophication.
“A PhD is an excellent opportunity to carry out specific research for DAERA whilst working towards the highest level of education,” he added.
DAERA provides approximately £900,000 each year to fund Postgraduate Research Studentships for a three-year period, after which successful students achieve a PhD qualification.
Funding is provided in the form of a stipend to support living costs, university fees, a Research Training Support Grant and other allowances.
Applicants must select one of DAERA’s Research Needs for 2025, in addition to meeting eligibility criteria and selection is by interview. The research can be undertaken at a university in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
