PhD training given 84 million boost -- Minister announces investment in doctoral training

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is this year investing £84.2 million in postgraduate training through its annual Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs). This year's investment is the largest ever round of DTGs made by EPSRC, it includes £10 million for Doctoral Prizes and £1 million for Vacation Bursaries.

The announcement comes hard on the heels of last month's £350 million call for proposals for a new tranche of Centres for Doctoral Training. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: "This significant investment underlines the UK's commitment to top quality postgraduate research and training. It will drive growth and help secure our future as a leading science and engineering nation, with a wealth of skilled people able to tackle global challenges, from infrastructure planning to public health."

Professor David Delpy, EPSRC Chief Executive said: "This year's Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs) demonstrate our commitment to excellence in postgraduate research and training. The grants will also complement the funding EPSRC is offering for Centres for Doctoral Training. This new investment provides universities with flexible funding to support doctoral students in their own priority areas.

"The grants will enable students to work with world-class research leaders, on innovative, excellent science and develop new technologies to tackle the many global challenges we face as well, as equipping them with the skills and knowledge to further their own career ambitions."

The DTGs are awarded to universities for the provision of postgraduate study and are allocated each year on the basis of EPSRC research grant income.

The grants allow institutions to be flexible in terms of student recruitment and retention, and enable them to vary the length of support (between three and four years) dependent on the project.

This year 39 universities will benefit from the Doctoral Training Grants funding, which ranges from £287,000 to nearly £9 million. The flexibility of the

DTG mechanism allows universities to leverage funds, for example from industry, and potentially support higher numbers of students.

Universities will be able to take advantage of the enhanced flexibility of the DTG scheme to offer Doctoral Prizes to EPSRC-supported students so they can maximise the impact of their PhD. These prizes will also help to improve retention of the very best students in research careers.

Provided by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council