Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today (17 June) unveiled its Statement of Expectations for Doctoral Training, which sets out common principles for the support of all Research Council-funded students.
The single Statement provides clarity on our expectations of research organisations, students and their training environment across all seven Research Councils. It also aims to simplify administration within research organisations.
RCUK has also today published a Joint Vision for Collaborative Training, to ensure that those doctoral students embarking on collaborative training programmes between academic and business partners are provided with a first-rate, challenging research training experience.
Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of RCUK, said: “The Research Councils support the next generation of researchers to maintain our much-prized national capability and to develop highly skilled researchers for impact across the whole economy. It is vital that we ensure a consistently high-quality experience for the research students we fund. By setting out a single statement of expectations for students funded by all seven Research Councils, we are harmonising and simplifying the process for institutions to ensure a consistently high-quality experience for our funded students.”
RCUK is currently finalising a common set of terms and conditions and associated guidance for training grants across all seven Research Councils, which will be published in autumn 2013, along with a common set of associated guidance. The intention is for these terms and conditions to come into effect for training grants starting in academic year 2014/15.
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Further information
Contact:
Katie Clark
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark
Notes to editors
Read the
Statement of Expectations for Doctoral Training
and the
Joint Vision for Collaborative Training.
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Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).