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Northern Bridge Doctoral Partnership 2016 Dr Anne Whitehead Director of Northern Bridge

Summary Under AHRC’s Block Grant Partnership 2 scheme, Newcastle is the lead University in Northern Bridge, a Doctoral Training Partnership with Durham University, Queen’s University Belfast and 13 Strategic Partners. The award of £11.2m from AHRC and a further investment of over £9m by the 3 universities allows NB to offer 250 fully-funded doctoral studentships to Home/EU applicants over the 5 years This means that approximately 50 awards are made across the consortium every year. Subject areas funded by the Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership are listed on the Northern Bridge website Those with AHRC studentships have their tuition fees paid and also receive a tax-free maintenance grant set at the UK Research Council’s national postgraduate rate, which is currently £14,075 (subject to review)

Applying for an AHRC doctoral studentship for September 2016 start is a two-stage process. Stage One: Initial Application (1) Contact the subject. Before you apply you will need to explore with the relevant subject area contact whether your area of research can be supervised and supported and begin to identify suitable supervisors. The full list of subject area contacts is available on the Northern Bridge website: (2) Complete an online Application Form. Our selection processes require you to apply through the online application form: Your application must include copies of transcripts, a CV (two sides max), details of two referees and a research proposal of no more than 750 words (excluding bibliography). If you wish to be considered for a Northern Bridge award you must quote code ‘AH16’ when asked on the form how you intend to fund your studies. The deadline for applications to Northern Bridge’s 2015 competition is 5pm, Monday 11 January If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral studentship, what next?

The research proposal – doctoral applicants The research questions or problems that the research will address. The research context, i.e. the past and current research and scholarship in the field. Bearing in mind the research context, the contribution to knowledge and understanding the project will make to the field, and a clear statement of the intellectual significance of the proposed research. The approach / methodology that will be employed, and an explanation of why it is the most appropriate approach for addressing the research questions/problems.

Stage Two: Nomination (for selected applicants only) In Stage Two of the process, subject areas select applicants to nominate to the NBDTP. Selected applicants work with the subject area to complete the Nomination Form. The Nomination Form and accompanying Guidance Notes will be sent to selected applicants soon after 11 January. The Nomination stage of the process will be co-ordinated by subject areas within Schools / Departments, who will set their own deadlines for the completion of the two sections of the Nomination Form and the receipt of references. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they forward the completed Section A of the form to their School / Department in time to enable staff in subject areas to complete Section B. Schools / Departments are responsible for submitting the Nomination Form to Sarah Rylance by 5:00pm, Monday 15 February No Nomination Forms will be accepted after the deadline. If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral studentship, what next?

Please remember Applying for funding is very time-consuming. Unless you stand a good chance of getting a Distinction in your Master’s, it’s unlikely that you’ll be shortlisted for an AHRC doctoral studentship. If you wish to apply for AHRC funding you must first consult the relevant subject area contact. Because the competition is so fierce, you will not be encouraged to apply unless you are in with a chance of success. Your research proposal must be convincing and well- articulated and there should be a good ‘fit’ between your proposal and staff research expertise. You should choose your referees carefully as they will be required to write a reference that provides detailed and evidenced comment about your achievement and potential as a postgraduate researcher.

The quality of the applicant, including their past academic performance, likely future performance, and their preparedness for doctoral study in terms of relevant research skills and experience. The quality of the research proposal, including the clarity and cogency of the research questions, awareness of relevant research in the field, the sources to be used, and the appropriateness of the proposed approach / methodology. The coherence, importance, and viability of the proposed research, and in particular the feasibility of completion within three years. The fit of the supervisory team, including supervisors’ subject expertise in relation to the proposed research, past success in supervising students, and any involvement in postgraduate training. In identifying supervisory teams, applicants and supervisors should consider the full spectrum of expertise available across the Consortium. A detailed account of how the specific training and development needs of the applicant will be met. Quality of the research environment across the Consortium, in terms of School/ Departmental research strengths, interdisciplinary research groups, clusters, Centres, Institutes, and external partnerships, as well as the ways in which the applicant will be integrated into this environment. Nominated applicants for doctoral studentships will find out whether or not their applications have been successful on 22 March Criteria used to judge applications for AHRC doctoral studentships

North East Doctoral Training Centre 2016 Prof. Peter Hopkins Director of NEDTC

Eligible subjects and funding Subject areas funded by the NEDTC at Newcastle include: Business and Management, Economics, Economic and Social History, Education, Environmental Planning, Human Geography, Iberian-American studies (LBAS), Law, Linguistics, Politics, Social Science and Health, and Sociology. Successful applicants have their fees paid and are provided with a maintenance grant of just over 14K and a Research Training Support Grant of around £750 per year. Additional funds may also be available for international fieldwork and difficult language training.

Step 1 - find a potential supervisor in the subject area where you want to study and develop a research proposal (2000 words) in consultation with them. You will also need 2 references, a CV and transcripts of any previous qualifications. Step 2 - Complete an online Application Form - Remember to quote ESR16 on your application form. The deadline to apply online and to your subject area is Monday 1 February 2016 at 5pm. The subject area will then be in touch to let you know whether or not they can put your application forward to the competition. If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral What do I do if I want to apply?

+3, 1+3, +3.5, 2+3 Also collaborative awards with external partners. Marking criteria: Background and testimonials – must have at least a good 2.1. Your profile of marks and your references are crucial here. Research proposal – clear, concise and achievable research questions and methodology. Include a timeline. Clarify how ethical issues will be addressed Supervisory fit and research environment – supervisory expertise should fit neatly with the project. Collaboration (if relevant) – nature of collaboration and what this adds to the project overall. Outcomes announced on Tuesday 22 March 2016 Types of award and marking criteria

Postgraduate Research Funding 14 October 2015 Dr Helen Gunter Postgraduate Marketing

Funding Tips Living Expenses Tuition Fees Funding Sources Funding for UK/EU students Funding for international students (non EU) Tuition Fee discounts at Newcastle University Topics

Funding tips The Student Loans Company normally does not fund postgraduate study Portfolio funding Offer of a place Start your search for funding early Check what funding is available and when: – – – Speak to your prospective school Talk to current PhD students

Maintenance or living expenses (including accommodation) figures – UK students £10,000 - £11,000 per year – EU/international students £10,500 - £11,500 per year **These figures do not include tuition fees** Living Expenses

Tuition Fees Fees for 2016 entry are available on the University’s online Prospectus: Typical full time fees (per year): Research programmes - £4,495 (UK/EU); £12,310 (int) Exceptions – physical geography, speech sciences Additional course-related expenses, eg books, equipment, fieldwork, travel (speak to your prospective school/institute)

PhD Funding – UK/EU Research council and non-research council PhD opportunities are advertised throughout the year (in addition to Northern Bridge and NEDTC)

IAPETUS (UK/EU) Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentships per year (Durham, Glasgow, Newcastle, St Andrews and Stirling) Subjects - environmental/ Earth Sciences Funded by NERC Stipend – approx. £13,800 (tbc) + £750 fieldwork, conferences (15-16 figures) Deadline tbc ( for example - February 2015 for September 2015 entry)

Funding – International Range of funding schemes for international students: University Newcastle University Overseas Research Scholarship (NUORS) (£5,000 - £9,000) Studentships - UK/EU and international students (sometimes fees only covered at the UK/EU rate) External (sometimes fully funded scholarships)

Tuition Fee Discounts Alumni Tuition Fee Discount (20%) Self-funded and partially-funded students International Family Discount (10%) Close relatives of international students Early Payment Discount (2%) Full payment by end of registration week Fee payment instalments Two instalments for research students- registration and then final payment in January More information -

Thank you for your time Any questions

Research training and support Dr Laura Leonardo Lecturer in Postgraduate Skills Development

If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral Value added: the HASS Research Training Programme A Faculty level programme of training spanning disciplines, subject areas. Training fosters and maintains a flourishing and networked research community.

If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral A wide range of training tailored to your needs Seminars Lectures Workshops Practical Skills sessions Languages Performance Conferences Opportunity to get involved

If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral Why research training ? To gain specialist knowledge to help you complete your research degree successfully To gain a broad range of research and research management skills to help you become a competent researcher in your discipline Will help you compete in the Global Knowledge Economy (if you so desire!)

If I want to apply for an AHRC doctoral A ‘well-rounded’ researcher Analysis & Problem-Solving Interpersonal & Leadership Skills Project Management & Organization Research & Information Management Self-Management & Work Habits Written & Oral Communication Business acumen Teamwork Negotiation and persuasion Leadership Organisation Perseverance and motivation Ability to work under pressure Confidence

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