Doctoral focal awards in data-intensive sciences (grant)
UK Research and Innovation, Science and Technology Research Council
Award
Up to £2.1m
Total fund Up to £10.5m
Deadline
Closes in 24 days (16 September 2026)
Where
UK-wide
Summary
Apply for funding to deliver STFC’s doctoral focal awards in the field of data-intensive sciences. This funding opportunity builds on our previous investment, providing students with skills and training to enable careers in academia or industry. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for STFC funding
Who can apply
This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility, Check if your organisation is eligible . Who is eligible to apply UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service. For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual. STFC facilities cannot host a centre in their own right but can support and collaborate as partners where appropriate. We expect doctoral focal awards to have active support and engagement with industrial and project partners. Whilst they do not have to be financially supporting awards, we do expect industrial representation to be listed on the management board and continued engagement throughout the awards. Industrial partners cannot apply to host a centre and must partner with an eligible UK research organisation. Project lead and project co-leads Research organisations can only apply as the project lead on one submitted application but can be a project co-lead (PcL) or project partner on any number of applications. The project lead organisation will act as the training grant holder if you are successful. Project lead organisations will provide the principal base (host) for five students per cohort over four years for this funding opportunity, supported by STFC funding. Please note that project lead organisations are encouraged to consider joining with additional research organisations to host students throughout the duration of your training programme. These additional hosting organisations should be named as project co-leads on your application. You should provide an outline of where the studentships you have requested will be hosted within your application. Both the project lead and any project co-lead organisations must: be eligible for UKRI funding be prepared to provide the principal base (host) for students for the duration of the award, except when the student is on placement You may apply as a single-institution or a multi-institution consortium. Identification of the project lead will not be interpreted as recognition as the dominant partner or where most studentships will be hosted. However, at least one student per year of intake should be hosted at the project lead organisation. Project partners Organisations that are not eligible for UKRI funding, including STFC facilities, may act as project partners on your application. Information regarding the nature of these collaborations must be included within your application in the project partner’s section. Any organisation acting as a project partner may do so on a number of applications. Organisations which are eligible for UKRI funding but will not provide the principal base (host) for students during the award may be named as project partners in your application. An organisation cannot act as both a project lead (or co-lead) and a project partner in the same application. We welcome applications to include a wide range of project partner organisations contributing to the doctoral focal award. This can include, but is not limited to: industry business STFC facilities small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) public organisations third sector organisations museums Public sector research establishments (PSRE)s PSREs wishing to be involved in an application are required to choose whether they wish to do so either as a hosting partner (project lead or project co-lead) or a project partner. An organisation cannot perform both roles within one application. Your application must demonstrate that there is significant added value from any project partners you choose. This may include, but is not limited to: work experience or placements for students outside of academia training for students, programme staff, or both access to facilities, equipment, or both financial commitments to partially, or fully fund additional studentships commitment to cover the costs of access to facilities or training that cannot otherwise be provided strategic links to an important stakeholder or user There is no limit to the total number of organisations you may include within your application. However, each organisation must make meaningful contributions to the delivery of the training grant, as outlined in your application. Through the approach, we expect you to put forward proposals which contain integrated plans for research, innovation and training which address a specific research challenge and related skills gap in data-intensive sciences. Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: career breaks support for people with caring responsibilities flexible working alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.
Full details
Apply for funding for doctoral focal awards in the field of data-intensive sciences. This funding opportunity builds on Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s previous investment, providing students with skills and training to enable careers in academia or industry. This funding opportunity is harmonised under UK Research and Innovation Doctoral Focal Awards scheme . You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for STFC funding. STFC will fund at 100% for doctoral focal awards.