SWDTC ESRC Collaborative PhD Studentship Scheme
The South West Doctoral Training Centre and Great Western Research
Some Frequently Asked Questions
1) Do I really have to have an External Partner for these studentships ?
A) Yes. You may however submit an outline application without an External Partner being identified , and GWR will work with you
to help to identify a suitable partner. You MUST however have an External Partner who agrees to co-fund the project signed up before
you can submit a full proposal for consideration for funding.
2) Does the External Partner have to be in the South West ?
A) No. Partners can be located anywhere in the UK, and indeed may be overseas by prior agreement with GWR and the SWDTC.
3) Are Charities and NGOs eligible as External Partners ?
A) Yes. Charities, NGOs, Social Enterprises, NHS trusts, Councils, third sector organisations etc, etc, are all very welcome as partners.
4) What financial contribution does the External partner have to agree to ?
A) Normally for a 3 year PhD project the contribution is £33,108 or £11,036 per year. This may be reduced if the host University agrees
to make up some of the External Partner's contribution, eg to allow a small businesses or charity with very limited funds to participate,
but their contribution is subject to an absolute minimum contribution from the External partner of £5,036 per year.
5) Are part time students allowed ?
A) Yes. The ESRC and External Partner contributions are spread over 5 years rather than 3 years in the case of part time study .
6) I have an unusual case, can I discuss this with someone to see if a collaborative studentship application would be appropriate ?
A) Yes . Please call Dr Paul Hudson on 01392 269 104 to discuss your proposition.
7) I have a charity who wishes to sponsor a specific person, ie a named student to do a PhD project with me, would this be allowed ?
A)Yes, in principle. You may submit a proposal in which the External Partner is only willing to sponsor a specific named student.
If the studentship is awarded , the named student would have to demonstrate that they meet all of the required standards for entry
to PhD programs set by the SWDTC and the AAB , and you are advised to check the students eligibility carefully with the SWDTC
before submitting an application.
8) Is the mid-November deadline for applications fixed ?
A)Yes, as we are constrained by the overall SWDTC recruitment timetable, which involves advertising available studentships in January 2012.
9) Will these collaborative studentships be available next year as well ?
A) Yes, the SWDTC Management Board has agreed to fund up to 16 studentships through GWR each year going forward from 2012.
10) Who decides on the award of these collaborative studentships ?
A) The funding decisions will be made by the SWDTC Academic Advisory Board before the end of 2012 for the current studentship round.