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Applicants must hold, or be expected to achieve, a first or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent (for example BA, BSc, MSci) or a Masters degree in a relevant subject.

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme. The required evidence may be one of the following:

• Substantial education or work experience conducted in English
• A recently obtained acceptable English language qualification or test result. Our preferred English language qualification is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Version and we require candidates to achieve the level of "GOOD".
• Good level: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.

Route 1 enables applicants to select up to three PhD projects designed and proposed by TREES supervisors. These projects are carefully developed to address key challenges within the TREES Research Themes, ensuring alignment with NERC’s science remit. Explore these projects here. We strongly encourage students to contact project uspervisors to discus the projects in more detail. This conversation can provide valuable insights into the scope of the project and help applicants make informed choices about their applications. 

Key Details about Route 1:

1. Diverse Supervisory Teams:
   Supervisors for Route 1 projects are drawn from across our ten Hosting Partners. Many projects benefit from interdisciplinary supervision, involving experts from multiple institutions to provide a well-rounded research experience.
2. Host Institutions:
   • Students are based at the Hosting Partner institution of their primary supervisor.
   • For projects with a primary supervisor at a non-degree-awarding Hosting Partner (IoZ, Kew, NHM), students will be registered at the university of the second supervisor, which will serve as the degree-awarding institution.
3. Alignment with Research Themes:
   Route 1 projects span a wide range of environmental science topics, organized under the TREES Research Themes:
   • Earth, Atmosphere & Ocean Processes
   • Solid Earth Dynamics
   • Climate and Environmental Change
   • Environmental Hazards & Pollution
   • Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation
   • Past Life & Environments
   • Evolution & Adaptation
   • Applied Environmental Modelling, Mathematics & Physics
   • AI, Big Data & Geospatial Analysis in Environmental Science
4. Collaborative Opportunities:
   Many Route 1 projects include partnerships with external organisations such as industry, NGOs, and the public sector. Collaborative opportunities may include:
   • Co-Supervision: Involvement of external experts as part of the supervisory team.
   • CASE Projects: Placements of 3–18 months at a partner organization, providing real-world experience and strengthening career pathways.
5. Project Accessibility:
   Route 1 projects are designed with inclusivity at their core. All TREES supervisors will provide Access and Inclusion Statements by the application deadline, outlining how potential barriers—such as fieldwork or travel—will be addressed to support applicants with diverse needs. We strongly encourage students with questions about accessibility to connect with project supervisors directly to discuss their specific requirements. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone can participate fully and thrive..

Route 2 is designed for applicants who wish to develop a PhD project tailored to their personal research interests. Applicants can propose their own project ideas in collaboration with TREES supervisors while also selecting up to two Route 1 projects for consideration.

Key details about Route 2:

1. Collaborative Development:

• Route 2 projects must be developed collaboratively with at least one TREES supervisor.
• Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors early to refine their project ideas and confirm the supervisor’s willingness to support the project. A list of TREES supervisors, including their research themes and keywords, is available on the TREES website to assist in finding potential collaborators.

2. Host Institutions:

• Applicants will be based at the Hosting Partner institution of their primary supervisor.
• For supervisors based at IoZ, Kew, or NHM (non-degree-awarding institutions), a second university-based supervisor is required, and the university will act as the degree-awarding institution.

3. Alignment with TREES Research Themes and NERC Remit:

Proposed Route 2 projects must align with NERC’s science remit and at least one of the TREES Research Themes:

• Earth, Atmosphere & Ocean Processes
• Solid Earth Dynamics
• Climate and Environmental Change
• Environmental Hazards & Pollution
• Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation
• Past Life & Environments
• Evolution & Adaptation
• Applied Environmental Modelling, Mathematics & Physics
• AI, Big Data & Geospatial Analysis in Environmental Science

4.  Required Input Fields for Applicants:

When applying for Route 2, applicants must provide:

• Project Title: A concise, descriptive title for the proposed project.
• Project Description: A brief summary of the proposed research, including aims, methodological approaches, and anticipated impact.
• TREES Research Theme: Select the primary theme that aligns with the project (from a dropdown).
• Project-Specific Training Details: Outline the training requirements or plans relevant to the proposed research (e.g., lab work, fieldwork, data analysis).
• Lead Supervisor Name: Select from a dropdown list of TREES supervisors.
• Second Supervisor Name: Select from a dropdown list (if applicable, especially for non-degree-awarding institutions).

5. Supervisor Role in Route 2 Applications:

Once a Route 2 proposal is submitted, it will be sent to the selected supervisors for further input and validation. Supervisors will be required to provide the following information:

• Confirmation of Supervision: Acknowledgement of their willingness to supervise the project and confirmation of its alignment with TREES and NERC remits.
• Feasibility Assessment: A brief statement evaluating the project’s feasibility and its alignment with NERC research areas.
• Project Details: Supplementary information including potential career trajectories for the student, access and inclusion considerations, and details of any research expenditure exceeding the support provided by TREES.
• Supervisory Team Information: Comprehensive details on their career stage, supervision experience, and research funding history (if not already provided).
• Collaboration Details: Information about potential CASE or external partner arrangements, including the nature and scope of collaboration.

Supervisors will also confirm their commitment to supporting the project, ensuring that the necessary resources, training, and supervision are in place to enable the student’s success. This collaborative process ensures that Route 2 projects meet the rigorous academic and professional standards of TREES.

6. Collaborative Opportunities:

• Route 2 projects may include external partnerships, such as CASE arrangements or collaborations with non-CASE partners, to provide additional research opportunities and real-world applications.

Next Steps for Applicants:

1. Identify potential supervisors from the TREES supervisor list (coming soon on the TREES website).
2. Reach out to supervisors to discuss and refine your project idea.
3. Submit your proposal through the online portal, ensuring all required fields are completed.

Important Note:
Supervisors will review proposals to confirm feasibility, alignment with TREES objectives, and adherence to NERC guidelines. Applicants are advised to start discussions with supervisors as early as possible to allow sufficient time for proposal development.