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EXTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDING The most important sources of funding for postgraduate research students in the UK are the research councils. These bodies are government-funded agencies engaged in the support of research in different disciplines. The research councils do not generally make studentship awards directly to students, but usually allocate them to departments in universities. For further information, follow the links below: Arts and Humanities Research Council ahrc.ac.uk Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council bbsrc.ac.uk Economic and Social Research Council esrc.ac.uk Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council epsrc.ac.uk Medical Research Council mrc.ac.uk Natural Environment Research Council nerc.ac.uk Science and Technology Facilities Counci stfc.ac.uk FindaPhD findaphd.com Partial funding for postgraduate study is also available from certain trusts, charities and foundations. This includes studentships, scholarships, grants, bursaries, competitions and prizes.
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED RESEARCH Industrial co-operative awards in science and technology (iCASE) provide funding for PhD studentships where businesses take the lead in arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice. Projects must be in the area of engineering and physical sciences. salford.ac.uk/ktp/industrial-casestudentships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a Europe-wide programme, part-funded by government, which form partnerships between universities and participating organisations. The recruiting organisation appoints suitably qualified postgraduate students to work on specific projects, while being jointly monitored by an academic supervisor. salford.ac.uk/research-industry The Higher Education Innovation Fund Knowledge Exchange (HEIF) funds a broad range of research which results in economic and social benefit to the UK.
SUPERVISION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Your supervision team - made up of a supervisor and co-supervisor with expertise in your topic area and methodology, along with a personal tutor for pastoral care - will guide and mentor you through your research programme. Supervision might also include a specialist from your field (e.g. a clinical staff member from the NHS). As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Salford, you can take advantage of an extensive range of development activities. This includes Salford Postgraduate Research Training (SPoRT) which is designed to help you develop the skills you need for effective research, and transferable skills to enhance your employability. The Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference – SPARC – offers a space for postgraduate researchers from all disciplines to exchange ideas while developing confidence and presentation skills. More details can be found at salford.ac.uk/ postgraduate-research/research-events
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