Fully Funded SENSS Scholarships in the UK, 2026

The South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) offers some of the UK’s most prestigious fully funded research opportunities for postgraduate study in social science and related interdisciplinary areas. Sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), these studentships support talented researchers from around the world to pursue doctoral training with full financial coverage. SENSS funding opens every year for study starting the following autumnm.

Among the opportunities on offer, the Student-Led Competition is particularly noteworthy because it allows applicants to design and propose their own research projects, giving you creativity, ownership, and a chance to shape your doctoral journey from day one.

What Are SENSS Scholarships?

SENSS is one of the UK’s ESRC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) — networks of universities working together to train future researchers in the social sciences. These fully funded studentships provide doctoral researchers with:

  • Full tuition fee coverage
  • A generous living stipend
  • Research training and development support
  • Access to interdisciplinary academic communities
  • Professional placements that enhance employability

These studentships aim to develop researchers capable of addressing major societal, economic, and policy challenges both in the UK and globally.

Partner Universities and Themes

SENSS brings together eight UK universities:

Funding supports projects within six interdisciplinary thematic areas that reflect the most pressing social science challenges. While specific theme names can vary slightly by year, they typically include areas like:

  • Justice, Institutions and Social Change
  • Sustainability and Climate Emergency
  • Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
  • Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
  • Digital Social Sciences
  • Advanced Methods for Social and Economic Research

These themes allow researchers to pursue cutting-edge questions while contributing to broader dialogues across disciplines.

What the Scholarship Covers

Tuition Fees

  • SENSS studentships fully cover tuition fees at the partner institution for the duration of the award, meaning you do not pay tuition while funded. This applies to both UK “home” students and international applicants (with some limitations on the number of awards to international applicants due to ESRC regulations).

Stipend / Living Allowance

  • Awardees receive a tax-free stipend to support living expenses throughout the studentship. For the 2025/26 academic year, the standard ESRC rate is approximately £20,780 per year, with an additional £2,000 per year for study in London-based institutions (known as London weighting).
  • This stipend helps cover basic living costs such as accommodation, food, and travel, but it does not cover visa fees or immigration health surcharges for international students, meaning those must be planned for separately.

Research and Training Support

Beyond basic living costs, SENSS studentships also provide:

  • Training funds for workshops, conferences, courses, and skill development.
  • Support for fieldwork, data collection and access to research networks.
  • Professional development opportunities, including mentoring and internships.

Some students may receive support for a combined Master’s and PhD programme (especially if they have only an undergraduate degree), extending the award period.

Eligibility Criteria for SENSS Scholarships 2026

1. Academic Qualifications

  • For a 3.5-year PhD route:
    • A Master’s degree (or equivalent research experience) in a relevant discipline.
  • For a 4.5-year Master’s + PhD route:
    • A Bachelor’s degree with honours (or equivalent qualification).

2. Eligible Fields of Study

  • Research must fall within social sciences or interdisciplinary areas aligned with SENSS themes.
  • Projects using advanced quantitative methods (AQM), data-intensive research, or interdisciplinary approaches are strongly encouraged.

3. Nationality & Residency

  • Open to UK and international applicants.
  • International students are eligible, but only a limited number of awards (around 30%) can be allocated to non-UK applicants due to ESRC regulations.
  • Applicants classified as UK “home” students must meet ESRC residency requirements (e.g., UK citizenship, settled or pre-settled status, or indefinite leave to remain).

4. University & Supervisor Requirement

  • Applicants must:
    • Apply for admission to a PhD (or Master’s + PhD) programme at one of the eight SENSS partner universities.
    • Identify and secure agreement from a suitable academic supervisor at the chosen institution before submitting the SENSS funding application.

5. Research Proposal

  • A student-designed research proposal is required.
  • The proposal must demonstrate:
    • Clear research aims and questions
    • Appropriate methodology
    • Feasibility within the funding period
    • Alignment with SENSS thematic priorities

6. Current PhD Students

  • Current doctoral students may apply only if they have at least 50% of their PhD remaining at the start of the SENSS funding period (October 2026).

Student-Led Competition

The Student-Led Competition is one of the two main ways to secure a fully funded SENSS studentship — the other being Collaborative Studentships, where projects are pre-defined by supervisors and external partners.

What Is a Student-Led Studentship?

With the Student-Led route, you craft your own research idea and propose it as part of your application. Unlike some funding opportunities where projects are pre-set by professors or industry partners, this competition places your original research concept at the centre of the assessment process.

Features

  • Original Research Design: You propose the topic, the research questions, and the methodology, all driven by your intellectual interests.
  • Supervisory Support: You must identify and secure an academic supervisor at one of the SENSS universities who agrees to support your project.
  • Interdisciplinary Potential: SENSS especially welcomes proposals that cut across disciplines, use advanced data skills, or involve innovative quantitative methods (AQM).
  • Equality and Diversity Encouraged: SENSS positively encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, lower socioeconomic settings, caregiving responsibilities, or disability.
  • Research Placement Option: Projects may include collaborations with external organisations (e.g., NGOs, government, think tanks) offering access to data or participants.

Application Process

There are two linked applications you must complete:

1. University Admission Application

  • Apply directly to the partner university listed above for a place on a research degree programme. Deadlines vary by institution, so start early and confirm deadlines with the university.

2. SENSS Funding Application (Student-Led Competition)

  • Once you have applied to the university and identified a supportive supervisor, apply for SENSS funding via the HEIApply online portal by 12:00pm GMT on Wednesday 14 January 2026.

Assessment Stages After submission:

  • University Screening: Your application is reviewed by your chosen institution.
  • Panel Review: If passed, it goes to the relevant SENSS theme panel, where it’s ranked alongside other projects in that theme.
  • Management Board Decision: Final funding decisions are made by the SENSS Management Board. You will typically be notified by mid-April 2026 about whether you have been awarded a studentship.

How to Write a Winning Application.

  • Craft a Clear, Original Research Proposal:
    • Define a focused research question.
    • Situate it within the SENSS thematic priorities.
    • Show why this research matters and how you will conduct it.
    • Demonstrate feasibility in terms of data access and timelines.b.
  • Align With Your Supervisor
    • Ensure your supervisor is an enthusiastic partner in your application.
    • Their support is part of the scoring process, so build a strong rapport and get feedback on your proposal.c.
  • Emphasise Methodological Strength: If your project includes advanced data work or quantitative methods, make those elements clear, SENSS ring-fences studentships for such projects.
  • Showcase Impact and Relevance: Explain how your research contributes to broader societal challenges, whether policy, public health, digital inclusion, justice or governance.e.
  • Attend Webinars and Use Guidance Notes: SENSS hosts webinars (often recorded) and publishes detailed guidance notes on how to complete the application and what the panels focus on, use them.

Conclusion

The fully funded SENSS scholarships for 2026, especially through the Student-Led Competition, offer an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring researchers to conduct independent, meaningful research with financial security and academic mentorship. While the competition is intense, thoughtful preparation, early contact with supervisors, a clear research vision, and alignment with SENSS priorities, can make the difference.

If you’re considering applying, start your research proposal now, connect with potential supervisors, and plan to meet the January 14, 2026 deadline. With commitment, creativity, and strategic preparation, a SENSS studentship could be your gateway to academic success and global impact.

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