The United Kingdom’s research funding body, UK Research and Innovation, has approved an increase in the minimum stipend payable to PhD students, with the new rates set to take effect from October 1, 2026.
Under the revised structure, the annual minimum stipend for doctoral researchers will rise to £21,805, up from £20,780, representing another above-inflation adjustment aimed at cushioning students against rising living costs.
The amount is estimated at about N40m at current exchange rates.
PhD candidates studying in London will also benefit from an enhanced allowance, as the minimum stipend for those based in the capital has been reviewed upward from £22,780 to reflect the city’s higher cost of living.
UKRI said the London weighting is intended to help offset increased expenses related to accommodation, transportation and general living costs compared with other parts of the country.
The latest adjustment follows the agency’s annual review of doctoral funding, a process designed to ensure that postgraduate researchers are not disproportionately affected by inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
In recent years, PhD students and academic unions have consistently raised concerns over financial strain, noting that many doctoral candidates struggle to meet basic expenses such as rent, utilities and research-related costs.
UKRI stipend rates are commonly used as a reference point across UK universities, including for students funded by institutions, charities and external sponsors.
Consequently, the new rates are expected to influence funding packages across a wide range of doctoral programmes.
While the increase has been welcomed within the academic community, some student groups maintain that current stipends still fall short of the actual cost of living, particularly in cities such as London, Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester.
They have continued to press for broader support measures, including more substantial funding increases, paid parental leave, improved mental health support and better working conditions for postgraduate researchers.
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Despite the concerns, the latest review marks one of the most significant annual stipend increases in recent years, underscoring UKRI’s stated commitment to supporting early-career researchers.
