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Research track record leads to £1.4m PhD funding boost

PhD Student

Brunel’s impressive track record in securing grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) means the university has received a £1.4million boost to its PhD student programme.

Only 40 of the UK’s universities share in the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships awards, announced at Oxford University by Science Minister Jo Johnson.

He said: “We are committed to securing the UK’s position as a world leader in science and innovation. This new funding builds on our protection for science spending by supporting research in our world-leading universities and helping train the science leaders of tomorrow.”

Funding is allocated on a formula linked to an institution’s EPSRC research grant income and fellowships. Previously known as Doctoral Training Grants, the new format is designed to allow universities with strong industry links, such as Brunel, to leverage the funding to support higher numbers of students.

Welcoming the news, Professor Geoff Rodgers, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) said: “This funding for PhD students is based on Brunel’s record of achievement in securing EPSRC grants and fellowships and only the top quarter of UK universities receive a share so it’s yet more independent evidence of the strength and depth of our research effort.”

The first students enrolled on the programme are expected to begin their studies from academic year 2016/17.