Faraday Institute Scholarships and Fellowships for 2026 Entry

The global battery revolution is not coming. It is here. And the United Kingdom is placing a massive bet on the researchers who will drive it forward.

Through the Faraday Institution, the UK’s flagship battery research programme, a fresh wave of fully funded PhD and Masters opportunities has opened for the Class of 2026. These positions span some of the country’s most prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Warwick, and King’s College London, among others. With over 21 listed PhD projects and multiple Masters pathways now accepting applications, this is one of the largest coordinated pushes in battery research talent the UK has made in recent memory.

The research itself is anything but incremental. Projects range from data-driven catalyst discovery and next-generation lithium-ion safety to green hydrogen production from biowaste and the business case for battery traceability through product passports. If you have been waiting for a sign that clean energy research funding is serious, structured, and accessible, this is it.

Beyond the lab work, the Faraday Institution runs an enrichment scheme specifically built to sharpen the skills, networks, and career trajectories of its PhD cohort. This is not a scholarship that hands you funding and disappears. It is a pipeline designed to turn early-career researchers into industry-ready scientists.

What the Money Actually Covers?

The financial structure of these studentships is designed to remove barriers, not create them. While exact packages vary by university and project, Faraday Institution-affiliated PhD funding in the UK typically includes the following:

• Full tuition fee coverage for the duration of the programme, which for many positions includes both home and international fee rates depending on the specific award
• An annual tax-free stipend aligned with UKRI rates to cover living expenses throughout the research period
• Access to dedicated research budgets for equipment, materials, conference travel, and fieldwork tied to the project
• Participation in the Faraday Institution’s enrichment programme, which provides professional development, cross-institutional networking, and industry exposure at no additional cost to the student
• Some positions are affiliated with EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training, which often carry additional training grants and cohort-based funding benefits

Prospective applicants should review each individual listing carefully, as the funding scope can differ between standalone studentships and CDT-embedded positions.

Who Can Actually Apply?

These are research positions with specific academic and technical requirements, not open-ended grants. Eligibility will depend on the individual project and host university, but the general baseline across most of these opportunities includes the following:

• A strong undergraduate or Masters degree in a relevant discipline such as chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrable interest or prior experience in battery technology, electrochemistry, energy storage, or adjacent research areas
• English language proficiency meeting the requirements of the host university, typically IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 or equivalent for international applicants
• Eligibility to undertake a PhD at a UK institution, which for international candidates means securing a student visa and meeting any university-specific admissions criteria
• Some projects specify additional requirements such as programming skills, lab experience, or familiarity with specific modelling tools, so applicants should check each listing individually

International applicants are encouraged to apply, though they should confirm whether the specific studentship they are targeting covers international tuition fees or only the home rate.

How to Go From Interested to Enrolled?

The application process is more straightforward than it looks once you break it past the institutional jargon. Start by visiting the Faraday Institution’s website, where all current PhD and Masters opportunities are listed in a searchable table format organized by project title, university, supervisor, and closing date. Identify the projects that match your research background and career goals.

Once you have your shortlist, go directly to the host university’s application portal, because each project is administered through its own institution, not through a single centralized form. Prepare your academic transcripts, a tailored research statement or cover letter that speaks directly to the project description, your CV, and the contact details of at least two academic referees.

For several of these positions, reaching out to the named supervisor before submitting a formal application is not just acceptable, it is expected and often strongly encouraged. Some listings on the Faraday Institution page link directly to the full project description and application instructions, so follow those links rather than guessing at the process.

The Clock Is Already Ticking!

There is no single universal deadline for these opportunities, and that is both a challenge and an advantage. Several positions have closing dates falling within December 2026, meaning applicants reading this need to act within days, not weeks. Other projects remain open for September 2026 entry or accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. The safest approach is to treat every listing as time-sensitive, because funded PhD positions at top UK universities fill quickly once a strong candidate emerges, regardless of what the posted deadline says. Check each project’s specific closing date, and if you are serious, submit early rather than waiting for the final day.