NINE DTP Nomination Process:
A Supervisor's Guide
27-28 Competition opens
on 1st September
The NINE DTP application process requires collaboration between the candidate and their prospective supervisor.
Unlike in some competitions (and disciplines), where it is the norm for a supervisor to write the research proposal and recruit a student to do the designated work, the research project at the core of a NINE DTP student’s training is meant to be student-led, although supervisors normally provide feedback as the candidate develops their ideas.
On the other hand, the nomination is formally submitted by you, the supervisor. In addition, supervisors typically take the lead in drafting components of the nomination form where they tend to be better positioned, for instance in justifying the supervisory team or designing the training programme.
Procedurally, the proposal consists of two stages, each of which is led by the candidate but requires supervisor involvement.
In the first stage, the candidate completes an online form that includes long-answer responses on questions regarding their research (research questions, literature review, methodology, etc.). Once they have completed this and click ‘submit’, the primary supervisor named on the form will be asked to fill out a supervisor approval form. In addition to confirming that they will support the candidate’s application (and their training and research, if they are successful), at this point the supervisor will need to write narratives explaining how any are met (if claimed) and justifying the need for overseas fieldwork or language training (if sought). This supervisor approval form needs to be submitted by the Stage 1 nomination deadline, or else the Stage 1 nomination completed by the candidate cannot be considered.
A similar process occurs in Stage 2 (for applicants who advance to that stage), except the questions are more focused on the non-research aspects of the nomination (e.g. supervisor suitability, training programme).
Full Guidelines
Download a copy of the NINE DTP Annual Studentship Competition Policies and Procedures
Guidelines
Who can supervise a NINE DTP postgraduate researcher?
All supervisors must:
- be demonstrably research-active and affiliated with a NINEDTP training pathway
- have a Doctoral degree or equivalent research/professional experience
- have completed mandatory training in Doctoral supervision
At least one member of the supervisory team:
- must have extensive experience of doctoral supervision with at least two successful PhD completions
We also extend opportunities for joint supervision to outstanding individual researchers in partner institutions who are not in eligible training pathways. In the case of collaborative research projects, supervisory teams are encouraged to include a third supervisor from the outside partner organisation, who would not be expected to meet usual requirements.
Team Supervison
Our team model:
- ensures that the doctoral researcher has access to at least one supervisor available at all times for the duration of the award.
- provides informal training to less-experienced supervisors who play an equal role in pastoral support and academic supervision, while the more experienced supervisor advises the student throughout, monitors their engagement with research training and alerts them to the full range of support services.
- allows for joint supervision enabling doctoral researchers to benefit from cross-institutional or cross-disciplinary expertise. Students are registered at a single University, where the first supervisor is based. Additional supervisors may be from other institution within or beyond the DTP, subject to university rules that may require two supervisors from the candidate’s home institution or department. Second and third supervisors are full members of the supervisory team, with agreed responsibilities and availability. NINE DTP encourages full workload recognition for all members of supervisory committees, regardless of whether the student is internal to their institution..
- builds capacity and extends good practice in supervision across the partnership.
- allows for external expertise to be included in project supervision.