BU Research Blog

The deadline for this competition is 29 February 2012 and we look forward to recieving your applications!

 We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2012 BU PhD Studentship competition for candidates starting in October 2012 in which there will be 44 studentships available across three parallel strands: (1) Matched Funding; (2) Fully Funded; and (3) Education & Pedagogic Research.  An overview of the three strands is provided below.

The studentships will be awarded to supervisory teams on the basis of a competitive process across the whole of BU led by Professor Matthew Bennett (PVC Research, Enterprise & Internationalization) and managed the Graduate School.  Applications will be assessed and awards made by a cross University Panel consisting of the academic members of UET and two members of the BU Professoriate. In selecting proposals for funding emphasis will be placed on the excellence of the research and quality of proposal in the first instance.  Strategic fit with REF and Societal Impact will also be assessed.

Only the best projects in each strand will be funded and proceed to advert. Full details and criteria are set out in the BU Studentships Policy.  Staff are asked to check the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. 

Applications (on the appropriate application form downloaded from the BU Research Blog) should be submitted to Dr Fiona Knight (Graduate School Academic Manager) no later than 29 February 2012, who will circulate to the judging panel for consideration.  The panel will individually score each proposal and meet formally to select the successful projects.

Good luck!

Strand 1 – Matched Funded Studentships

• A total of 32 matched funded studentships are available.
• Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
• Industry/business partners,
• Government and non-government organizations,
• Academic Schools,
• NHS,
• Research Councils, or
• Other external bodies.
• In seeking match-funding and developing the associated projects applicants are encouraged to avoid a local or regional focus.
• Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
• All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
• Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Deputy Dean Research or equivalent within their School.
• Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

Strand 2 – Fully-Funded Studentships

• A total of 6 fully funded studentships are available.
• These are exceptional awards for elite, highly original, timely and non-applied or “blue-sky” research projects where there is no potential for match funding.  Priority will be given to those areas where there is a clear strategic driver for a particular REF Unit of Assessment, Group or Centre and/or the applicant can demonstrate an immense societal impact.
• All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
• Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Professor Matthew Bennett.
• Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

Strand 3 – Education and pedagogic research studentship

• A total of 6 studentships with an educational or pedagogic focus are available.
• Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
• Industry/business partners,
• Government and non-government organizations,
• Academic Schools,
• NHS,
• Research Councils, or
• Other external bodies.
• Proposals must be able to demonstrate clearly how the research will benefit fusion within BU and have a wider impact on society or the HE sector.
• Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
• Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential application with Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty.
• Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strand 3)

To help applicants with their proposals John Wakeford, an external academic who now runs grant writing workshops, will be coming to the university on 31st January and 1st February to run 1 day sessions.  If you would like a place on either day please contact Susan Dowdle.