Collaborate with NINE DTP

The Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP) works with organisations across the public, private and third sectors to deliver impactful doctoral research that addresses real-world challenges, whilst developing the next generation of social science researchers. Bringing together seven universities across Northern Ireland and the North East of England, NINE DTP provides ESRC-funded doctoral training designed to create meaningful social, economic and policy impact.

By becoming a collaborative partner, your organisation can help shape research that matters, access specialist expertise, and contribute to the development of doctoral researchers who are passionate about creating positive change.

What is a Collaborative Studentship?

Collaborative studentships are doctoral research projects that directly involve and engage a non-academic organisation throughout the life of the research project. Partners may include businesses, industry, government departments, charities, NHS organisations, local authorities, think-tanks, social enterprises and other organisations outside of the university sector.

The collaboration must deliver clear benefits to both the doctoral researcher and the partner organisation, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and practical application of research findings. Whilst access to organisational data can be valuable, data provision alone is not considered sufficient collaboration. Successful partnerships involve active and sustained engagement throughout the research journey.

How Can Your Organisation Contribute?

Collaborative partnerships are designed to be flexible and tailored to the needs of individual organisations and research projects. Partners may provide one or more of the following:

  • Substantive and sustained project supervision and mentoring.
  • Placement, secondment or work-shadowing opportunities.
  • Specialist training and professional development opportunities.
  • Access to facilities, equipment, systems and resources.
  • Access to professional networks and stakeholder communities.
  • Sector expertise, specialist knowledge and strategic insight.
  • Office space and practical support where appropriate.

The strongest collaborations provide meaningful opportunities for engagement, knowledge exchange and mutual learning throughout the duration of the project.

Financial Contributions

The ESRC does not require collaborative partners to make a direct financial contribution towards collaborative studentships. However, financial support is encouraged as it demonstrates organisational commitment to the collaboration and can enhance the opportunities available to the doctoral researcher.

Organisations may choose to contribute towards:

  • Research travel and fieldwork activities.
  • Specialist equipment, software or data access.
  • Student development and training opportunities.
  • Placement and engagement activities.
  • Part-funding of the studentship where appropriate.
  • International tuition fee differentials where applicable.

Collaborative studentships are assessed primarily on the quality of the partnership, the value of the knowledge exchange opportunities, and the overall strength of the proposed research project. Financial contributions are considered additional benefits rather than a core requirement.

Creating Meaningful Impact Together

NINE DTP collaborative studentships provide an opportunity to co-create research that delivers both academic excellence and practical value. Whether you are seeking evidence to inform policy, explore emerging challenges, evaluate services, improve outcomes, or develop innovative approaches to complex issues, a collaborative doctoral project can help your organisation achieve meaningful and lasting impact.

Partnership Agreements

All collaborative studentships are supported by a formal written agreement between the university and partner organisation. This agreement outlines arrangements relating to intellectual property, access to resources, governance, confidentiality, and any financial contributions, ensuring clarity and transparency for all parties involved.

Become a Collaborative Partner

We welcome discussions with organisations interested in developing a collaborative studentship or exploring wider opportunities to engage with doctoral research. Together, we can create partnerships that generate valuable knowledge, deliver real-world impact and contribute to the development of future research leaders.

Find out more about NINE DTP - Home - NINE DTP

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Benefits of Partnering with NINE DTP

Access Specialist Expertise

Work with highly skilled doctoral researchers trained in advanced social science methods, analysis and evidence-based research.

Address Strategic Challenges

Explore complex organisational, societal and policy issues through rigorous research designed around your priorities.

Generate Impact

Develop evidence and insights that can inform decision-making, service improvement and organisational development.

Build Lasting Relationships

Strengthen links with leading universities and researchers across the NINE DTP partnership.

Support Future Talent

Contribute to the professional development of emerging researchers whilst benefiting from fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.

Click here to see some examples of our students Collaborative work

How your statement can support a Collaborative Student

The scoring criteria is available to everyone in our Policies and Procedure document on our webpage. For a summary these are the positive and negatives we look for in a collaborative studentship - Reference Documents - NINE DTP

Strengths of a Collaborative Studentship

A strong collaborative studentship:

  • Adds significant value to the research beyond what the university alone could provide.
  • Offers meaningful opportunities such as placements, access to specialist resources, expertise, networks, or unique research opportunities.
  • Demonstrates a clear connection between the research project and the partner organisation's work.
  • Has a strong academic rationale as well as practical relevance.
  • Shows evidence of existing engagement between the applicant and the partner organisation.
  • Includes substantive and ongoing involvement from the partner throughout the project.
  • Provides active support, guidance, and engagement with the student and research.
  • Creates clear opportunities for knowledge exchange and research impact.
  • Identifies realistic pathways for translating research findings into practice or policy.

Weaknesses of a Collaborative Studentship

A weak collaborative studentship:

  • Adds little value to the proposed research.
  • Makes only a limited contribution to the academic aims of the project.
  • Shows little or no evidence of prior engagement between the applicant and partner organisation.
  • Has limited involvement from the partner organisation beyond initial agreement.
  • Lacks sustained support, supervision, or engagement from the partner.
  • Relies solely on a placement opportunity without wider collaboration.
  • Relies solely on access to data, with no broader partnership activity.
  • Demonstrates weak links between the research project and the partner's activities.
  • Provides limited evidence of potential impact, knowledge exchange, or mutual benefit.

What Reviewers Are Looking For

At its core, a strong collaborative studentship should demonstrate that the partnership is embedded in the research project, benefits both the student and the organisation, and creates opportunities for impact, knowledge exchange, and high-quality academic research. A weak collaboration tends to be transactional, with limited engagement beyond providing a placement or data access.