UDLA 2527 University of Sussex

The University of Sussex is receiving funding to train the next generation of doctoral researchers through a Doctoral Training Partnership. This grant addresses a critical gap in the UK’s research pipeline: the need for skilled scientists and engineers who can tackle complex, long-term problems. Without sustained investment in postgraduate training, the country risks losing its capacity to innovate in fields that underpin modern life—from advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure to clean energy and healthcare technologies. If successful, this partnership will produce highly trained PhD graduates equipped to work in academia, industry, and the public sector. These researchers will directly contribute to solving real-world challenges, such as improving energy grids, developing more efficient communications networks, or creating new materials for medical devices. The impact is not immediate or flashy, but it is foundational: a steady supply of expert talent that keeps the UK’s research ecosystem and its economy competitive. This is primarily a training and capacity-building grant, not a single research project. Its value lies in enabling fundamental and applied science across many fields, much like previous doctoral programmes that have seeded breakthroughs in everything from fibre optics to vaccine development.