What is a Studentship?
PhD Studentship awards embed the 3Rs in the training of graduate scientists from a broad range of scientific backgrounds. Applications from any area of medical, biological or veterinary research are within remit; those that integrate a range of disciplines or include an industrial partner are particularly encouraged. This competition is run annually and awards of either three or four years duration with a value of £30k (non-FEC) per annum are available. The budget for the 2021 call is £1.08 million.
| Prospective applicants are encouraged to watch the recording of our webinar from Thursday 15 April, which provides further information and guidance on the application process. |
|---|
BHF-NC3Rs Joint PhD Studentship awards
As part of our continued collaboration, up to two additional joint awards are available with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), with a value of £30k (non-FEC) per annum for three years. Applications for the NC3Rs-BHF awards should seek to achieve 3Rs impact in the field of cardiovascular research. These awards are subject to joint NC3Rs-BHF terms and conditions.
Panel meeting outcome reports and award rates for previous calls can be found here. Applicants should read the NC3Rs Applicant and Grant Holder Handbook which contains more detailed information on the application process.
Key dates | Who can apply | How to apply | Assessment procedure | Related documents
Prospective PhD students
We do not fund students directly. Studentship vacancies arising from our 2020 awards are advertised by the relevant research institutions and on our website.
Key dates
| 12 May 2021, 4pm | Deadline for outline submission to NC3Rs Office |
| 26 May 2021 | Application form available on Je-S |
| 14 July 2021, 4pm | Full application deadline on Je-S |
| September 2021 | Shortlisting stage* |
| October 2021 | Studentship Assessment Panel meeting |
| End of October 2021 | Applicants informed of outcome |
| Any time after issue of Award letter | Expected Studentship start date |
| TBC September 2022 | Grant holder introductory meeting |
| 1 October 2022 | Latest date for commencing Studentships |
*A shortlisting stage may be held, depending upon the volume of applications received.
Please sign up to the NC3Rs newsletter for updates on funding schemes.
Who can apply?
Establishment eligibility
Supervisors from any UK research establishment can apply, including:
-
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
-
Independent Research Organisations (IROs).
-
Research Council (RC) Institutes.
The research organisation is responsible for finding students and the administration of each studentship during the award.
Individual eligibility
-
Applicants should be UK-based researchers with a minimum of five years' postdoctoral experience.
-
A minimum of two Supervisors should be included on an application.
-
Applicants with limited supervisory experience are encouraged to name a more experienced colleague as a Co-Supervisor.
-
The lead applicant must have a contract of employment with the RO that will outlast the duration of the proposed application.
-
If an NC3Rs grant holder has more than 12 months remaining on their NC3Rs grant, at the time of application, they are not permitted to apply as a Primary Investigator for further NC3Rs funding (excluding CRACK IT and Skills and Knowledge Transfer grants – please contact the Office to discuss).
-
A proposal may integrate two disciplines or departments; however, applicants must ensure that the training content remains coherent and focused on delivering a specific set of research skills.
Industrial and overseas researchers
Industrial and overseas researchers cannot be Primary Investigators but can be included as collaborators or project partners.
Resubmissions
The NC3Rs does not allow resubmission of previously unsuccessful proposals, unless explicitly invited by the Panel. Proposals previously declined by the NC3Rs will not be considered by a Research Council or funder within 12 months (from the date of first submission to a Research Council) unless substantially revised. More information can be found in the NC3Rs Applicant and Grant Holder Handbook.
Please note: The same or similar application cannot be considered by any other Research Council, the Health Departments or any other research funder at the same time.
How to apply
Applicants are advised to read and refer to the NC3Rs Applicant and Grant Holder Handbook, particularly Section 4.4 Studentship Scheme – Application Guidance, which contains more detailed information on submitting both an outline and full application. Applicants should also take note of the 'Considerations at informal outline stage' and 'Studentship panel scoring criteria' when compiling an application.
Please ensure that the correct forms are used at both outline and full application stage.
Outlines and full applications received after 4pm on the deadline date will not be considered, without exception.
Outline stage
Before submitting a full application applicants are required to complete an outline of the research proposal (see Related Documents below). A letter of support from the Head of Department and the main Supervisor's CV (to include supervisory experience and not to exceed three sides of A4) are also required.
Please email the below to studentships@nc3rs.org.uk before 4pm, 12 May 2021:
-
Completed outline form
-
Head of Department letter of support
-
Main supervisor's CV
Submitting a full application
We use the Research Councils' joint electronic submission system (Je-S) and applications are processed by the RCUK Shared Business Services.
Important points to note - additional documents to upload as part of the Je-S application:
-
NC3Rs Studentship Supporting Information Form (compulsory)
-
Animal research questions in Annex 1 (if applicable)
Invited, full proposals must be submitted via Je-S. Applicants applying for a joint award, should note this within their outline form and, if invited, in the ‘Objectives’ and the ‘Case for Support’ sections of their full applications.
If you experience difficulties using Je-S or have questions regarding its use, contact the Je-S helpdesk.
Email: jeshelp@je-s.ukri.org Phone: +44 (0) 1793 44 4164
Assessment procedure
Applications are assessed by the Studentship Assessment Panel. The following criteria are taken into consideration when making funding decisions:
-
Potential impact on the 3Rs
-
Quality of the proposed project
-
Expertise and track record of the Supervisor
-
The training / research environment
-
Strategic relevance to the highlight notice (where appropriate)
In recent years, due to a high volume of applications received, a shortlisting stage has taken place prior to the Panel meeting. Applications are reviewed by the Panel to eliminate those which are not competitive. Only shortlisted applications are then considered at the Panel meeting.
Please note the Studentship Panel Scoring Criteria and Guidance below.