Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Reference Number: P240
Please note: EPSRC funding is awarded directly to universities, and not to students. EPSRC studentship opportunities available at Cardiff University will be listed individually in the Funding and Scholarship Search database as they become available. General information on EPSRC funding programmes is provided below.
Key Award Information
Background Information: The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing around £740 million a year in a broad range of subjects – from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering.
Funding Opportunities: The Quota Competition awards funding directly to universities and research organisations for postgraduate research programmes. Funding is awarded in the form of Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs) or Master's Training Grants. Departments and supervisors advertise for students, therefore potential students should contact the institution at which they wish to undertake a research degree.
Funding
Doctoral Awards (PhD Studentships): Provide support for up to four years of full-time study, or up to five years of part-time study, for the completion of a programme of doctoral research and attainment of a doctoral degree. A full award includes tuition fees (UK/EU level - for 2009/10 this is £3,390), and a maintenance grant. The maintenance grant will meet the National Minimum Doctoral Stipend level set by the UK Research Councils – for 2009/10, this is £13,290 p.a.
Master’s Studentships: Provide support for the study of a Master’s Degree (MSc or MRes) over one year full-time; flexibility also exists for awards to be held for part-time study. A full award includes tuition fees (UK/EU level) and a maintenance grant.
Number of Awards Available: Quota Allocation (check with academic school)
Eligibility
Academic Criteria: Students must be able to demonstrate “a capability to undertake and benefit from research training through to completion, to the standard necessary to qualify for a PhD.” This normally requires an upper second class honours degree, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that level. However, universities can use their discretion in deciding whether candidates are suitable for research training.
Residency: Full awards (fees plus maintenance stipend) are open to UK Nationals, and EU students who can satisfy
To be eligible for the full award, EU Nationals must have been in the
EU Nationals who do not meet the above residency requirement are eligible for a fees-only award, provided that they have been ordinarily resident in the EU for at least 3 years prior to the start of the course.
How to Apply
The EPSRC does not make awards directly to students.
Studentships are allocated to institutions in the form of Doctoral Training Accounts (for PhD awards) and Collaborative Training Accounts (for Master’s degrees), and the institutions must nominate candidates to receive awards from those funds. Availability of EPSRC funding therefore depends on whether the University currently holds EPSRC funding in your intended subject area.
EPSRC DTA-based and collaborative/CASE PhD studentships, along with Master’s awards, will be listed individually in the Scholarship Search database. Alternatively, to check whether the University currently holds quota studentships or Master’s training grants relevant to your area of study, please contact the appropriate Academic school.
Additional Information
EPSRC Website: www.epsrc.ac.uk
