Lancaster University is using EPSRC funding to train the next generation of PhD researchers across physics, mathematics, computing, engineering, chemistry, and environmental science. The problem is a persistent shortage of skilled researchers in science and engineering fields that underpin the UK's economy and technological competitiveness. Without sustained investment in postgraduate training, the pipeline of experts who develop new materials, secure digital systems, and model complex systems would shrink. The funding supports fully paid PhD scholarships, industry-linked CASE awards that connect students with companies, doctoral prizes for continued research development, and vacation bursaries that help identify promising early-career researchers. Students receive structured training aligned to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, with regular six-monthly appraisals to track progress. This is primarily a training and capacity-building programme rather than a specific research project. Its impact will be felt across multiple sectors over the coming decades, as these PhD graduates move into academia, industry, and public service. The funding is also strategically aligned with Lancaster's research institutes—including the Data Science Institute, Material Science Institute, and Security Lancaster—to strengthen interdisciplinary work that no single department could achieve alone.
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The EPSRC DTP facilitates the provision of a range of funded opportunities in science and engineering at Lancaster University and enhances the opportunities available to those seeking to undertake postgraduate research. Opportunities include fully funded PhD Scholarships, CASE Awards that facilitate links with new industrial partners, Doctoral Prizes to allow the continued development of PhD research, and Vacation Bursaries that support the identification and development of new researchers. Over recent years, the EPSRC DTP has had impact on a broad range of subjects: - Fully funded PhD Scholarships have been awarded to the departments of Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Computing and Communications, and Engineering - Industry-focused CASE Awards have been made to students based in Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, and Computing and Communications, and Engineering - Doctoral Prizes have been awarded to develop research in Computing and Communications, and Physics - Vacation Bursaries have been awarded for projects in Physics, Computing and Communications, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, Psychology, and the Lancaster Environment Centre The allocation of EPSRC DTP funds has also been aligned with the strategic support of research centres and institutes at Lancaster University, which includes the Data Science Institute, the Material Science Institute, the Institute for Social Futures, Security Lancaster and Energy Lancaster. The institutes seek to strengthen the University's commitment to interdisciplinary thinking in a way unique to the UK context. EPSRC funded students are part of the Science and Technology Graduate School and the wider postgraduate research community at Lancaster. Details of the Graduate School, and the relevant funding opportunities are accessed via https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/sci-tech/study/phd/. Research training for PhD students across the University is aligned to Vitae's Researcher Development Framework. The Graduate School Research Training programme is designed to enhance research skills and capacity, providing PhD students with vital transferable skills, whilst also bringing together students to discuss their research. For further information regarding the Research Training on offer within the Science and Technology Graduate School see https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/sci-tech/study/graduate-school/. All PhD students are encouraged to complete a Development Needs Analysis when they arrive at Lancaster, to help identify their specific training needs. There is also in place a schedule of appraisals by which the progress and development of all PhD students is monitored. Appraisals take place at regular, 6 monthly intervals where progress is discussed and requirements for future development are identified.
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