The deadline for applications
for 2022-23 is
20 January 2023.

Submit your application to
your department or University
in advance of this deadline.

NINE DTP runs a combined annual studentship competition to recruit and select postgraduate researchers of the very highest calibre to study at Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Sunderland, Queen’s or Ulster Universities. We operate an open competition for the awarding of studentships, which is centred on the quality of candidates and their proposed research, alongside a linked Action for Equality initiative to award two full scholarships to specific under-represented groups.

Our studentship competition has been designed to be as open and transparent as possible, and all decisions concerning which students are funded are based upon clear assessment criteria. You can read more about these criteria in our guidelines. NINE DTP between 40-50 fully-funded postgraduate studentships to award each academic year for full-time or part-time study Candidates wishing to apply for funding should apply directly to the university at which they wish to study and NOT to NINE DTP. Applications that meet eligibility and quality criteria will be entered into the Studentship Competition by the Supervisor. On the following pages, we will provide your with an overview of the studentship competition, and how you can apply for ESRC funding.

Full guidelines

Download a copy of the NINE DTP Annual Studentship Competition Guidelines

Guidelines (pdf)

Action for Equality Scheme Guidelines

Read more around our initiative to support candidates of Black British, British Asian, or mixed Black or Asian heritage

AforE Guidelines

Nomination Form

Your Supervisor will need to nominate you for funding. Make sure you have their support, and ask that they complete the nomination form.

Information for Supervisors

Our awards

Candidates may apply for funding for the three year Doctoral Programme (a +3 award), or may also apply for funding for both Masters and Doctoral study (our 1+3 or 2+3 awards). All award types are accessible on a part-time basis (except for those offered in Northern Ireland), with the stipend awarded pro-rata.

NINE DTP also offers an innovative +3.5 programme, which allows students with a Masters (or equivalent experience) to complete a funded course on research methods training should they be lacking the necessary qualifications in social science research methodology (a prerequisite for funding for the full Doctoral studies).

Your supervisor can advise you as to which award type is most suitable for you.

Candidates should be aware that not all award types will be available at each institution, or with each pathway.