DTA - University of Sheffield

The UK Research Councils are funding a network of Doctoral Training Partnerships that will support the next generation of scientists and engineers through postgraduate education. This funding model addresses a critical gap in the UK's research pipeline: how to train skilled researchers who can tackle complex, real-world problems. Rather than funding isolated PhD projects, these partnerships create structured training environments where universities, industry partners, and research organisations collaborate. Students gain both deep expertise in their chosen field and broader skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. If successful, these partnerships will produce a steady stream of highly trained researchers who can move between academia and industry. This directly affects the UK's ability to innovate in areas that keep society running—from more efficient manufacturing processes and resilient energy grids to advanced medical diagnostics and secure digital infrastructure. The partnerships also help address skills shortages in sectors critical to national productivity and public services. This is primarily an education and skills investment rather than a specific research project with a defined scientific outcome. The impact will be measured in the quality and quantity of trained researchers entering the workforce over the coming decade.