The UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has awarded Swansea University and partners funding to train the next generation of world-class researchers to tackle global environmental challenges.
The Doctoral Landscape Award will support CROCUS (Climate system and biodiversity science for Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities – Collaborating in Understanding and Solutions), a new training programme which will fund five annual cohorts of environmental science PhD students from October 2025.
CROCUS is a collaboration between Swansea University, the University of Reading and several esteemed organisations, including the British Geological Survey, the Institute of Zoology, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Natural History Museum, the National Oceanography Centre and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Through these key partnerships, students will have access to valuable training opportunities and placements, building the practical skills and networks they need to succeed in their careers and drive transformative discoveries.
The funding, part of a major new £500 million government investment in doctoral research announced this week by UKRI, will support a wide range of projects, each exploring unique and pressing environmental issues from climate resilience, atmospheric science and marine and freshwater ecosystems to biodiversity and conservation.
Professor Gert Aarts, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Research at Swansea University, said:
“It is a fantastic result to see this Doctoral Landscape Award by NERC being awarded to Swansea University, the University of Reading and partners.
“The environment concerns all of us, and it is encouraging to think of the positive impact this cutting-edge training will have on environmental science students.”
The award recognises not only Swansea University’s continued excellence in environmental research but also its dedication to developing future leaders, having, along with the University of Reading, committed to substantial match funding that will mean training over 110 PhD students in total.
Dr William Allen, CROCUS Co-director and Senior Lecturer in Biosciences at Swansea University, said:
“This award is a significant milestone for Swansea University. It will allow us to build on our existing expertise and create a robust training programme that prepares students to contribute to scientific understanding and make a meaningful difference to the natural environment.”
Dr Thorwald Stein, CROCUS Co-director and Associate Professor in Meteorology at the University of Reading, added:
“By combining the knowledge and resources of world-leading research institutions and partnering with private and public-sector organisations, we can empower the next generation of scientists to tackle environmental challenges in ways no single institution could achieve alone. This partnership is vital for building innovative solutions that will secure a sustainable future for our planet.”
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, UKRI Chief Executive, said:
“UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour. The awards provide funding for universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to peruse the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”
