Turn your curiosity into real-world impact: Apply for the Student Research Experience Scheme 2026

Are you ready to take your learning beyond the classroom and dive into real-world research? We’re inviting undergraduate and taught postgraduate students to apply for an incredible opportunity: paid research fellowships on projects spanning every discipline across the university.

This is your chance to:

• Work alongside leading academics and postgraduate researchers on projects that make a difference.
• Gain hands-on experience that will boost your CV and set you apart in your future career.
• Explore your passions and contribute to knowledge that shapes the world.

There are nine exciting projects available across multiple schools and subject areas. Each fellowship runs between April and July 2026, offering 100 hours of flexible work spread over the period.

And yes – it’s paid! You’ll receive a £1,271 stipend (that’s £12.71 per hour, the National Living Wage) for your contribution, with a maximum of 25 hours per week under the guidance of expert researchers.

Applications close at 5pm on 29 January 2026. Don’t miss out on this chance to turn your curiosity into impact. See the list of project opportunities below; full details on each project can be found on Careers Connect. Click on an opportunity for more details and to apply.

Can LLMs write ethical AI-compliant code? A comparative study across models and prompts

Hydrogen carrier fuels for sustainable power and propulsion

Expanding perspectives: An accessible workshop on disability models

A golden age of Bears?: archived origins and developments of the gay/bi/queer men’s ‘Bear’ phenomenon

Bridging the digital health divide: Understanding barriers to generative AI adoption among older adults in real-life set

Lithium-ion battery emissions: The life-cycle impact

Energy recovery expanders in two-phase flow conditions

Understanding how faulty mitochondria impairs bone health in chronic kidney disease

Schwartz Rounds evaluation 

Applying

You can apply for whichever projects interest you – just submit a separate application for each opportunity. However, you can only participate in one project as part of this scheme.

Do you need advice about the Student Research Experience Scheme? If so, please contact RaKEInitiatives@brighton.ac.uk.

Do you have a query about a specific project? Contact the Project Lead; you can find their contact details on Careers Connect under ‘project details’. 

Activate your Careers Connect account for the first time or login using your University of Brighton Username (which can be found on your Profile in My Studies) and your University of Brighton password that you use to login to MyBrighton. 

Selection

The final selection will be made by a panel led by the relevant Project Lead. The panel members will be looking for applicants to communicate effectively how the Student Research Experience Scheme will add value to their academic studies, enhance their employability, and be of interest to employers and clients, helping them achieve their immediate and longer-term career plans or future plans. 

Unsuccessful applicants will be directly supported in pursuing other opportunities by the University of Brighton Placements and Internships team.

Please note that this is a competitive process, and submitting an application does not guarantee an award. Each application will be judged based on the information presented within the application. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application a minimum of two weeks before the project start date.