The University of Strathclyde has been awarded University Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) funding by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), worth £7.7M.
The University has also been granted Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (formerly ICASE), which allow businesses and partner organisations to take the lead in initiating projects with an academic collaborator of their choice.
The funding is part of a total £500M UK Research and Innovation investment to support doctoral students to develop their skills and experience in their respective universities’ areas of strength across the biological sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and natural and environmental sciences.
Flexible funding
The awards replace the nine different schemes through which UKRI currently supports doctoral training and provide flexible funding to address the unique requirements of specific disciplines and sectors, enabling the creation of bespoke studentships tailored to individual project needs.
The training programme will provide students with advanced research and professional skills through a student-focused and comprehensive curriculum.
At least a quarter of the studentships will be collaborations with non-academic partners, aligning with the University’s "triple helix" model, which integrates academia, industry, and government.
Strong partnerships
Professor Paul McKenna, Deputy Associate Principal (Research and Knowledge Exchange) and EPSRC DLA funding lead at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Our strong partnerships with industry and the public sector will enable DLA students to gain valuable real-world experience, enhancing both their employability and capacity for innovation.
“Strathclyde is a research-intensive, leading international technological university that provides outstanding supervision and training of doctoral students.
“I am delighted that this funding will enable us to build on our successes by developing the next generation of highly skilled PhD researchers in engineering and the physical sciences.
In alignment with our Strathclyde 2030 strategic vision, this investment, supported by additional University and external funding, will strengthen our diverse community of doctoral researchers, stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration and external partnerships, and equip students to address pressing industry and societal challenges.
Next generation
Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and which keep our economy growing over the long term through highly skilled jobs.
“This £500M investment will back our vitally important higher education sector while supporting more bright students to pursue their talents and in turn deliver the life-saving drugs and clean energy alternatives of the future, that benefit all of our lives.”
UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: "UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour.
"The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”