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  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. About us
  3. HSS
  4. Research
  5. Postgraduate Research Student Funding Opportunities
  6. Leverhulme Living With Waste Doctoral Programme
  7. How to Apply

How to Apply

Applications to this programme will open in mid-October 2026 and close in January 2027 (exact dates to be announced).

 

You can apply through two routes:

Route A: Develop a proposal on a named topic with a named supervisor.

Route B: Open call to develop a PhD proposal from any discipline on the theme ‘Waste Futures’. (Check here for details on proposal length and content when applications open).

When applications open in mid-October, we will publish full descriptions of available projects (Route A) and a list of supervisors accepting students on the programme (Route B).

If you cannot find the information you are looking for, or have any queries about the application process, you contact the LWW Programme Administrator.

 

Eligibility and academic entry criteria 

  • When you apply, please check the entry requirements on the School or Department website that you are applying to using the links at the bottom of the page.
  • A limited number of awards (up to six across the programme) are available for international students. 
  • We specifically welcome applications in interdisciplinary research and from typically under-represented groups including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. 

 

Application process 

Application documents 

All applicants should apply through the procedures of the Department or School of their proposed supervisor. Applicants must submit pro forma education history (e.g. CV), personal statement, research proposal, and proposed supervisor (minimum 1st supervisor), and letters of reference from two referees, at least one of which should be an academic referee. 

 

Application form 

Applications are to be made on the admissions portal. To apply follow this link and select the relevant research area.

You must make clear in your application that you wish to be considered for a Leverhulme Living with Waste Scholarship and identify whether you are applying through Route A or Route B. To do this add “Leverhulme Living with Waste” when prompted to complete the funding source question of the application form. Failure to do this may result in your application not being considered for this scheme. 

 

Proposal 

Tips for writing a strong research proposal include: 

  • Formulate a precise, interesting research question; this may take the form of a hypothesis to be tested, or a more open-ended inquiry. 
  • Establish the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking. Is there a knowledge gap? 
  • Outline a clear and practical methodology which enables you to answer the research question, and to describe and evaluate any data or source material you will draw upon. 
  • Suggest what you hope to discover at the end of your research and what new areas it might open up. 
  • Demonstrate that your research will not take longer than 4 years. 

Check the specific requirements (e.g. word count) on the School/Institute webpages. 

 

Timeline

Deadline for applications 

TBD

Application timeline 

October 2026 - Applications open 

January 2027 - Application deadline 

Late February 2027 – Applications reviewed by a cross disciplinary panel

Mid-March 2027 - Notification to candidates of outcomes 

 

Assessment Criteria 

The assessment criteria will be announced when the application process opens. All applications will be ranked by an expert panel to include senior academic staff across relevant subject disciplines.  

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