The programme will see four students embark on individual PhD theses at the university.
Each PhD is fully funded by Leeds Trinity, and students will also receive a stipend to financially support them during the programme.
The students have been matched to expert research staff from across the University for the duration of the three-year programme. These staff have extensive professional experience as active researchers and leaders in their fields.
These include Professor Mark Russell, who is currently leading interdisciplinary research examining ways to enhance the performance of professional team sport players with a focus on substitutes and half-time protocols; Dr Martin Barwood who is leading research to reduce the incidence of death by drowning; Professor Jane de Gay, who is an expert in literary, cultural and intellectual heritage; and Dr Susan Elmer, who specialises in research in social work and social care.