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November 18, 2025

The King’s Foundation Oxford DPhil Scholarships in Nature, Health and Wellbeing are fully-funded doctoral positions that will advance research into connections between natural environments and wellbeing.

The University of Oxford and the King’s Foundation have announced a pioneering partnership to support ground-breaking research into how natural environments influence physical and mental health, launching fully-funded doctoral scholarships for exceptional researchers.

The King’s Foundation Oxford DPhil Scholarships in Nature, Health and Wellbeing will support up to three doctoral students at Kellogg College between 2026 and 2029, addressing a critical knowledge gap as communities worldwide seek evidence-based approaches to improving public health through connection with nature. At a time when urban populations are increasingly disconnected from natural spaces, and mental health challenges continue to rise, this research has never been more urgent.

Each scholarship provides comprehensive support including full tuition fees (at the home student rate), college fees, and a generous stipend of at least £20,000 per annum for up to three years – enabling scholars to focus entirely on their research without financial constraints.

The scholarships will support doctoral students wishing to undertake research at the intersection of health and sustainability. Applications for the scholarship will be made through the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, a multidisciplinary department known for its approach of integrating evidence and innovation in the prevention and management of common illnesses. Prospective students may come from a range of disciplines and will be expected to conduct research across different subject areas and specialties. They will receive supervision from researchers in the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation, which was founded by the King’s Foundation in 2020.

The King’s Foundation works globally to create sustainable communities and healthy places where people and nature thrive together. This partnership with Oxford represents a natural extension of the Foundation’s existing work with the University to deliver a master’s programme in sustainable urban development.

“At The King’s Foundation our overall aim is to build sustainable communities and transform lives, in line with His Majesty’s vision for the world,” said Dr Simon Sadinsky, Executive Director for Education at The King’s Foundation. “Through these scholarships, we are excited to be working with Oxford again to champion the next generation of researchers, who will be exploring the vital connections between nature, health, and wellbeing – helping to build healthier, more sustainable communities worldwide.”

Based at Kellogg College – Oxford’s most international and interdisciplinary college – scholars will join a vibrant community of over 1,000 graduate students from more than 90 countries, and work closely with the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation. The college’s distinctive culture emphasises real-world impact and cross-disciplinary collaboration, making it an ideal environment for research that bridges environmental science, public health, and social policy.

Professor Carl Heneghan, an Official Fellow of Kellogg College and Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, and Co-Director of the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation, emphasised the transformative potential of this initiative:

“These scholarships represent an exceptional opportunity for candidates who are curious, committed, and driven by the desire to make a real difference. We’re looking for individuals who can think critically, work across disciplines, and bring fresh perspectives to one of the most pressing challenges of our time: understanding how we can harness the healing power of nature to improve human health. The research conducted by our King’s Foundation scholars has the potential to influence how communities are designed, how healthcare is delivered, and how we understand wellbeing itself.”

The DPhil in Primary Health Care is a research-intensive programme that enables interdisciplinary investigation across a range of applied methods. It attracts clinicians, researchers, and policy specialists committed to developing innovative approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of illness.

Further information

Application Information

The first King’s Foundation Oxford DPhil Scholarship will be available for students beginning their studies in October 2026.

Eligibility: Applicants must apply for and be accepted to the DPhil in Primary Health Care programme at the University of Oxford, with a research proposal focused on nature, health, and wellbeing.

The supervisory and admission team will hold two online seminars for positive applicants to help them understand project suitability for the scholarship and provide advice on the application process.

  • Tuesday 20 January, 09:00-10:00
  • Tuesday 20 January, 16:00-17:30

Find out more details and sign up to attend one of the information sessions.

About Kellogg College

Kellogg College is Oxford’s largest and most cosmopolitan graduate college, with a distinctive focus on lifelong learning and part-time study alongside its thriving full-time graduate community. Founded in 1990, the college brings together students from over 90 countries and diverse professional backgrounds, fostering an environment where academic excellence meets real-world application. The college is particularly noted for its commitment to interdisciplinary research and its inclusive, supportive community.

About the King’s Foundation

The King’s Foundation is a charity that works to build sustainable communities where people and planet can thrive in harmony. Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III’s vision, the Foundation supports projects and educational programmes worldwide that demonstrate how traditional wisdom and innovative approaches can address contemporary challenges in areas including sustainable agriculture, architectural heritage, wellbeing, and education. Through its work, the Foundation aims to create lasting positive change for communities and the environment.

About the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences is a world-leading centre for research, teaching, and innovation in primary care and public health. Based at the University of Oxford, the department works to improve health outcomes through rigorous evidence-based research that informs clinical practice and health policy worldwide. The Department hosts the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), a centre of excellence committed to improving healthcare by fostering wider communication of high-quality evidence, by promoting the principles of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

About the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation

The Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation was founded at Kellogg College in March 2020, with seed funding from the King’s Foundation. The Centre undertakes research, collaboration and engagement to provide evidence and inform policy at the intersection of public health with sustainable urbanisation.