Research Experience Placements 2026

We are now accepting applications for NERC Research Experience Placements (REPs) for the summer of 2026!

Paid 6 week Summer Projects for Undergraduate/Integrated Masters students

We are pleased to announce that the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) have awarded the YES•DTN funding for 5 Research Experience Placements (REPs) at the University of Leeds to be completed over the 2026 summer period.

The NERC REP scheme aims to encourage students to consider a career in environmental sciences through funding to support paid summer placements for undergraduate and Masters students, by giving them a taster of what it’s like to be a postgraduate researcher.

The scheme provides 5 paid research placements over the Summer (June/July/August).

You will be made an employee at the University of Leeds and receive a salary at Grade 2 level (above national living wage) for the duration of the placement, plus payment for 1 weeks annual leave.

We particularly encourage students from underrepresented groups to apply and priority will be given to these applicants (ethnic minorities, those with a disability or from low-socio-economic backgrounds).

Applications are open to students from all universities, and all subject disciplines.  You can apply to more than one NERC REP project – just submit one application form for each project.

Placement Details, Funding and Reporting

  • Placement duration is 6 weeks full time (plus a further week of paid annual leave) during the summer vacation period (June/July/August).  The time can be a continuous block, or split to accommodate prior commitments.
  • Placements are paid at University of Leeds’ Grade 2 level (Spine Point 11).
  • There is no additional funding available for relocation or accommodation.
  • REPs do not meet the requirements for a visa request, and therefore, are only open to UK citizens or those who already have a right to work or study in the UK .

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies or integrated Masters.
    • Note: students in their final year who will have graduated and no longer have student status at the time the placement starts are not eligible. If you still have student status at the beginning of the placement, we will consider the eligibility criteria to be met, even if you graduate during the course of the placement.
  • Be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (Details of eligibility for PhD studentships can be found here. Please note this guidance should be read in conjunction with the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions and guidance documents available here).
  • Have the right to work or study in the UK or have home-fees status. REPs do not meet the requirements for a visa request.

Research Projects

REP projects will:

  • Have a clearly defined objective.
  • Be within the science remit of NERC
  • Be feasible for a student to complete within the timescale of the award (~6 weeks).
  • Include more than purely a computer/modelling component i.e. some element of fieldwork, data collection, activity to give an understanding of the wider context including participation in lab/team meetings, networking and training etc.
  • Give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and should not use the student as a general assistant.
  • Be based at one of the YES•DTN partner institutions (i.e one of the departments below). NB: remote placements are also an option for enabling inclusivity.
  • Will meet demographic and diversity-related challenges.
  • Will meet the quantitative skills gap in environmental sciences.

How to Apply

  1. Select the projects of most interest to you
  2. Complete the online REP application form
  3. Please complete a separate application for each project of interest.

Application deadline: 30th April 2026

QR code to access the application form

Available projects for 2026