Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - ESRC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) - Stipendienkomponenten

What ESRC Doctoral Training Partnerships give you

You get full funding for a PhD in the economic and social sciences at a UK university. The package covers your tuition fees and a monthly living allowance (called a stipend). It also gives you money for research costs and training in skills useful for careers inside and outside academia. You can work with non-academic partners such as companies during your PhD. The money comes from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the UK's largest funder of research and postgraduate training in economics, social, behavioural and human data science. The ESRC gives the money to universities, and each university awards the individual PhD places directly to students.

Who can apply

• Level: You are applying for a PhD (doctoral studies).
• Field of study: Your research is in the economic and social sciences, including behavioural science and human data science.
• Where you study: You study at a UK university that holds an ESRC doctoral award. The university sets its own entry requirements and decides who gets a place.

How to apply

You do not apply to the ESRC directly. Instead, you apply to a UK university or partnership that runs an ESRC-funded PhD programme. That university runs its own selection and awards the place. Deadlines and interview steps vary from one university to another, so check the programme you are interested in.

How realistic are your chances?

Places are limited and each university runs a competitive selection, so a strong research proposal and a good academic record matter. The ESRC covers a broad range of social science subjects and funds many universities, so there are more openings than for a single narrow award. Even so, each place attracts strong applicants. Find a university that matches your research topic and apply early, because programmes fill their yearly intake.