DTP - University of Oxford

The UK Research Councils are funding a network of Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) to train the next generation of scientists and engineers through postgraduate education. This funding structure addresses a critical gap: how to produce highly skilled researchers who can tackle complex, real-world problems that no single university can solve alone. Rather than funding isolated PhD projects, DTPs create collaborative training environments where students work across institutions, disciplines, and industry partners. If this succeeds, the UK will gain a steady pipeline of experts equipped to strengthen the systems that quietly underpin daily life—from more efficient energy grids and resilient water treatment to advanced manufacturing processes and secure digital infrastructure. The partnerships also aim to make research careers more accessible by offering structured support, shared resources, and diverse training pathways. This is primarily an education and skills programme rather than a specific scientific investigation. Its impact will be measured not in a single discovery, but in the breadth of expertise it cultivates across the UK research landscape over the coming decades.