Six more PhDs available through University Alliance’s Doctoral Training Alliance programme
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will provide more opportunities for doctoral students as part of the University Alliance’s Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA).
The University Alliance and its partners have hailed the success of their ground-breaking new programme to support PhD candidates - DTA3/COFUND, supported by a €6.5 million grant from the European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Doctoral Fellowship programme. So far, 30 candidates from 14 different countries have won places at leading British universities through this scheme.
In the second phase of the programme, six PhD opportunities are available at UCLan across applied biosciences for health, energy and social policy. Research topics will cover Alzheimer’s disease, smart and renewable energy technologies and zinc, amongst others. This follows on from the four doctoral places awarded to the University in the first round last year.
Professor StJohn Crean, UCLan Pro Vice-Chancellor for Clinical Health and Research, said: “The University is proud to be a recipient of this European funding for six more doctoral level student positions, taking the total to 10. It highlights how UCLan is recognised nationally for the quality of research taking place at the institution and its commitment to developing future academics.”
DTA3/COFUND builds on the University Alliance's DTA, which is a nationwide cohort-based doctoral training programme with a strong interdisciplinary and industry-focused ethos. Its objective is to train and develop highly employable researchers in strategically important areas.
The funding will cover course fees and provide an annual salary of more than £20,000, as well as covering other research costs and providing access to an enhanced skills training programme.
"The University is proud to be a recipient of this European funding for six more doctoral level student positions, taking the total to 10."
Professor John Latham, Chair of University Alliance and VC of COFUND member Coventry University, commented: "It’s fantastic to see the DTA3/COFUND programme go from strength to strength. We know from both member universities and students that the opportunity to work across a wide network of experts whilst studying at one of the UK's top technical and professional universities is a huge bonus for students and supervisors.
“The valuable resources and support that the programme provides help to make this a leading model for how to recruit and train PhD candidates.”
University Alliance has today announced the next wave of places. Another 50 places will be available across all three disciplines with applications open between 4 March and 12 April.