Applications for October 2026 will open on Monday, 17 November 2025

Closing date & time for applications is 13:00 Wednesday 7 January 2026

Please ensure you read and follow the detailed instructions below.  Applications to YES•DTN is a multi-step process. Make sure you complete all steps or we will be unable to process your application.

We strongly advise that you try to contact the project supervisor before applying, to ensure that the project is the correct one for you, and your existing skills and experience are a good match. Contact information is provided in the project overviews.

Step 1: Select the project you would like to apply for

• Review the YES•DTN projects we have available for studentships to start in Octover 2026.
• Only these projects can be chosen and we do not offer the opportunity to propose your own project
• Contact the relevant supervisor by email to learn more about the project and to ensure the projects is the right one for you
• Select a first choice and a second choice project. We offer the option of a fallback project in case your first choice project is already filled. Do not submit a second application for a second project.

• Applications open 17 November, 2025; Application deadline is 7 January, 2026, 13:00.
• Before applying through the online application (OLA) system please read the instructions carefully.
• You must select “NERC YES DTN Yorkshire Environmental Sciences” as your planned course of study (as shown below). We cannot process your application if you select the wrong programme.
• Please note: This programme code will NOT be available to select until applications to the programme are open.
• We are unable to accept late applications.
• Once you submit your OLA you will receive notification of your student ID number (SID). You must have details of your SID BEFORE you complete stage 4.
• Please note: it can take up to 24 hours for your SID to be issued. We strongly advise that you submit your OLA the day before the closing date to allow you time for your SID to be issued.

Step 3: Upload your supporting documentation

In order to be considered for the studentship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for study when you complete the OLA. The required documents include:

• Copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (including official translations where these are not in English).
• Provisional transcripts if you are currently studying.
• Your English language test results

All documents should be in English or be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

More information about supporting documentation

• All documents should be in English or be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
• Documents can be sent via the online research degree application or can be emailed to [email protected] after you have submitted your application.
• Your email should include your student ID number (emailed to you on submission of your application), full name and your intended course of study.
• Please do not send original documents at the application stage and only provide documents via email.

Step 4: Complete the YES•DTN combined CV and structured personal statement application 

Further information on the form of the CV can be found here. For the personal statement we ask for a specific format and require you to answer specific questions. Information on these can be found here.

• The YES•DTN application form collects the information needed to assess your application.
• On the form, you will be asked to provide details of
  • your academic qualifications
  • work history (if relevant)
  • structured personal statement, which explores your motivation to complete a PhD, why your chose project interest you and why you are applying to YES•DTN
• The YES•DTN replaces the need for a separate CV and personal statement
• You must complete Step 2 first as you will need to provide your student ID (SID) on the YES•DTN application form.
• Applications submitted via the YES•DTN application form will NOT be considered if a Leeds OLA for the correct course code has not been submitted.

Further Information

• Applications open 17 November 2025
• None of the application forms will be available until this date
• When you submit your OLA (Step 1) you will be automatically given a nine digit Student ID number (SID). 
• You need your SID BEFORE you complete the YES•DTN application form as you will need to include your SID on the form. We will not be able to process your application if the SID is missing or incorrect
• Once you have completed the OLA you need to complete and submit the YES•DTN application form (combined CV and structured personal statement), listing the PhD project you would like to be considered for, plus a second choice project, if applicable. If you do not submit the YES•DTN application form we cannot process your application
• Only submit one application, listing your first and second choice projects. 
• If you submit multiple applications we will only consider the last application submitted.