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Welcome to the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Understandable agri-food Systems Transformed by Artificial INtelligence (SUSTAIN).

SUSTAIN is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln, Aberdeen, Queen’s Belfast and Strathclyde, and focuses on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to sustainable agri-food.

Where the next generation of AI science takes root.

The SUSTAIN Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) empowers the next generation of AI scientists to invent, develop and deploy technologies, co-created with growers and agri-food practitioners.

SUSTAIN facilitates meaningful partnerships between academics and industry, investing in stakeholder-driven innovation.

Collaborative Studentship Proposals

The Round 3 Call for Proposals for October 2026 Entry is now open

We invite you to bring us your challenges, and we’ll help solve them with UKRI-funded PhD research. With 18 studentships available in Cohort 3: this is your chance to engage in impactful interdisciplinary research that addresses specific business needs while contributing to the intelligent agri-food community.

Who can apply?

Potential SUSTAIN CDT supervisors

Industry partners

Why apply?

Funded by UKRI *with industry contributions

Focus on solving real-world business and technical challenges through innovative research

Projects are required to be a university/industry partnership. If you are affiliated with a university or industry and are interested but lack a corresponding partner, we can assist you in finding one.

How to apply: Download and complete the application form, then email it to SUSTAIN@lincoln.ac.uk, together with CV and Letter of Support.

Closing date: Friday, 6th March
Notification of projects approved for advertising: 13th March

Uniting industry and research for a sustainable future

Download

Please download and return completed forms to
SUSTAIN@lincoln.ac.uk

If you have interest but you don’t have a fully formed proposal yet, please complete the Expression of Interest (EoI) form here.

Be part of the future of food production

Round 2 applications for October 2026 entry are now open!

Join the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable, Understandable agri-food Systems Transformed by Artificial Intelligence (SUSTAIN).

Apply here for fully-funded 4-year PhDs opportunities focused on using AI to transform agriculture and food production.

Deadline 12pm (midday) GMT on Friday, 20th March 2026

See the Application process here