Pre-announcement: Apply to run a focused doctoral award (Centre for Doctoral Training)

Before applying for funding, check the following:

• your proposal is suitable for AHRC funding

• the eligibility of your higher education organisation

• your eligibility as an individual

• remit query form if you are unsure whether the proposed CDT falls within the remit of AHRC, or both in this opportunity specification

Who is eligible to apply

Applications are invited from eligible UK higher education institutions (HEIs) that can demonstrate the ability to host a consortium-model doctoral training grant in one of the following themes:

• creative economy

• arts and humanities for a healthy planet, people, and place

To apply to be a project lead you must:

• be based at a UK HEI which is eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding

• be dedicated to training the new generation of arts and humanities researchers and have the vision to lead a consortium of organisations to deliver doctoral training within the thematic area

• possess the leadership, project management and stakeholder management skills to deliver the proposed training and development strategy and engage partner organisations throughout

• provide evidence of relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) and a previous track record of successfully delivering doctoral training and development

• have the appropriate management skills and the administrative capacity to deliver the proposed doctoral provision

• demonstrate how you have contributed to developing a positive research culture and wider community to date

• secure the commitment of at least one more HEI and at least one non-HEI partner, and form a consortium, to prepare your application and jointly deliver training if awarded a grant

• co-create a strategy with non-HEI partners to ensure that your proposed training grant consortium’s aims for student skills and career development will meet sector needs

A demonstrable track record of involvement in postgraduate provision from the lead HEI is essential.

Project co-leads must be from organisations eligible for UKRI funding, as per AHRC Research Funding Guide, page 31. This includes independent research organisations.

We welcome applications from organisations which haven’t had AHRC training grant funding in the past and from small specialist institutions.

Check if your institution is eligible for our funding.

Demand management

It is expected that this AHRC funding opportunity will be in high demand. Therefore, each HEI may submit a maximum of one application as the lead applicant. HEIs may participate in any number of applications as a non-leading partner.

Who is not eligible to apply

• researchers and higher education institutions based outside the UK

• researchers and higher education institutions with no capacity in arts and humanities doctoral training within the two research themes listed in this funding opportunity

• higher education institutions seeking AHRC funding for master’s level training

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks

• support for people with caring responsibilities

• flexible working

• alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI and AHRC’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

This AHRC scheme has been designed to:

• deliver world-class doctoral training and development including cohort experience

• provide opportunities for students, preparing them to follow a diversity of career paths within and beyond academia

• focus on supporting research capacity in two strategic areas, addressing societal challenges through arts and humanities doctoral research and involving interdisciplinary approaches

• advance current understanding, generate new knowledge, and develop the breadth of expertise for the future of the research and innovation workforce

• address underrepresentation in the AHRC-funded doctoral community

• address skills gaps identified across the two research areas within and beyond academia

• enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange within academia and between academia and other sectors for the benefit of the students, consortia members, and wider society

Duration

The consortia will train four cohorts of students doing a four-year doctorate on a full-time basis, or equivalent part-time. The first cohort will start in the 2026/27 academic year and the final cohort will start in 2029/30.

Funding available

You can apply for between 20 and 30 studentships over the lifetime of the award but the profile of new starters across the four years needs to be in the ratio of 3:3:2:2. The number of studentships requested must be fully justified.

Project partners must contribute cash, in-kind support or both to the project. There is no minimum percentage contribution.

There is potential for co-funding from other parts of UK Research and Innovation dependent on research area and remits.

What we will fund

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) indicative fees and minimum stipend rates will be used. These are updated annually and are available on the UKRI website. Details regarding the levels of funding for fees, stipend, London weighting and additional training and development funding will be announced when the full funding opportunity goes live.

23 November 2023 9:00am - Opening date

5 December 2023 11:00am - Information webinar

2 July 2024 4:00pm - Closing date

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service

We are running the funding opportunity on the new UKRI Funding Service.

You cannot apply for this opportunity on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.

If you do not already have an account with the Funding Service, you will be able to create one by selecting the ‘start application’ button when the opportunity goes live. Creating an account is a two-minute process requiring you to verify your email address and set a password.

To find out about the role of research office professionals in the application process, watch a recording of a recent research office webinar on YouTube.

Submitting your application

Applications should be prepared and submitted by the lead higher education institution but should be co-created with input from all investigators, and project partners, and should represent the proposed work of the entire consortia.

We will publish full details on how to apply when the funding opportunity opens.

Deadline

The application window will open in November 2023.

We must receive your application by 2 July 2024 at 4:00pm UK time.

You will not be able to apply after this time.

You should ensure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines that may be in place.

Personal Data

Processing personal data

AHRC as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your funding service account and the registration of your funding applications.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.

Publication of outcomes

If your application is successful, some personal information will be published via the UKRI Gateway to Research.

This funding opportunity has been informed by AHRC’s engagement exercise in the future doctoral provision in the arts and humanities. Read the report with findings from the exercise.

Webinar for potential applicants

We will hold a webinar on 5 December 2023 at 11:00am UK time. This will provide more information about the opportunity and a chance to ask questions.

A registration form and joining link will be available when the funding opportunity goes live.