EPSRC industrial CASE studentships 2006

12 April 2006:

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK Government's leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences.

Each year a number of Industrial Co-operative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) studentships are allocated to facilitate 3-year research projects run in conjunction with an academic institution and a business. EPSRC allocates Industrial CASE to companies to enable them to take the lead in defining and setting up research projects with the Research Organisation of their choice.

Four (4) studentships have been allocated for the South East region in 2006.

As Industrial CASE awards, the company is expected to take the lead in defining and setting up research projects, and not the University. When considering companies for eligibility under this scheme, we shall be looking for the following:

· under 250 employees within the company or group;

· within the South East region;

· have a research & development facility / department;

· the project is research based and not developmental;

· the company is prepared to jointly supervise the student with the academic institution;

· falls within EPSRC research areas (see list below);

· the research will take 3 years and is PhD level.

Keywords associated with the EPSRC's remit are given below and we would expect the research proposal to address one of the following:

· Chemistry

· Engineering for infrastructure and the environment

· Engineering for manufacturing

· General engineering

· Information Technology and Computer Sciences

· Materials

· Mathematics

· Physics

As a measure of their interest and involvement, the company must make a mandatory financial contribution in cash to the Research Organisation, towards the cost of the project and support of the student. This contribution must be at least 1/3rd the funding provided by EPSRC. This year (2006/07), EPSRC is paying £60,864 for a 3.5 year studentship, and expects the company to contribute at least £20,288 in cash over the period of the studentship. The company is also expected to cover all expenses (e.g. travel and accommodation costs) incurred by the student as a result of periods spent at the company. The student should not be out of pocket as a result of undertaking the project.

EPSRC funds will be paid to Research Organisations via Collaborative Training Awards. Background information regarding CTAs, including the terms and conditions attached to such awards, can be found on the EPSRC website at [http://www.epsrc.ac.uk]

Process for 2006 – SOUTH EAST REGION

14th July 2006: Closing date for receipt of application forms. These should be clearly marked for the attention of Delia Stamper, EPSRC Studentship Awards and sent to Technology Enterprise Kent, Research & Development Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PD.

31st July 2006: Applications assessed and awards decided. A letter confirming the allocation will be sent to companies along with a sign-up form.

31st August 2006: Companies and their chosen academic partner must complete a sign-up form with a unique Voucher number. This Voucher number is given on each of the sign-up forms sent to companies, with a letter confirming their allocation.

Completed sign-up forms must be returned to EPSRC by 31st August.

September 2006: EPSRC collects and validates sign-up data.

October 2006 onwards: Funding added to CTA grants and letters sent to the company and academic supervisors and the CTA coordinator.

Once funding is added to the CTA, Universities confirm/submit student data electronically via Je-S by validating the Industrial CASE voucher numbers against the CTA grant.

Funding must start against 2006 vouchers by September 2007.

Specific Terms and Conditions apply and these are detailed on the website ([http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/IndustrialCASE/default.htm]).

Important note:

EPSRC are also operating a Central Pool this year. Details of this, including the application form, are on the website and the deadline for submission of bids to the Central Pool is 31st May 2006. If they wish, companies may submit these applications to TEK/SEEDA not later than 15th May for endorsement and onward transmission to EPSRC.

For further information contact:
Name: Delia Stamper, Technology Enterprise Kent
Tel: 01227-824310
E-mail: [delia.stamper@technologyenterprise.co.uk]