The EPSRC is a non-departmental public body funded by the UK government through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The EPSRC fund research, grants and postgraduate study in Engineering and Physical Sciences. They are the main UK body for funding research and training in these disciplines, investing more than £850 million a year. The EPSRC supports research into engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials science, information and communications technologies.
Your award
Basic stipend amounts are confirmed each year for all the UK Research Councils by their governing body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Most awards will provide funding towards fees and an annual maintenance grant award.
The specific structure of your doctoral training will vary depending on the type of EPSRC studentship that you were awarded. Types of EPSRC studentship at include:
How your award is paid to you
Stipends are paid directly into your bank account in monthly in advance instalments.
Proof of your award and funding
The University can provide you with written confirmation of your Research Council funding.
You should contact your College/School directly to request this.
Innovation Placements Bursary
The Innovation Placements Bursary scheme provides funding for existing EPSRC-funded postgraduate research (PGR) students at the University of Birmingham to undertake entrepreneurial placements, relevant placements with industry, placements with policy organisations relevant to the government’s Industrial Strategy, placements with SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), or other placements to support and increase the impact arising from doctoral research which is relevant to the Industrial Strategy. Applicants may apply for up to £500 per week to cover costs incurred through undertaking a placement.
Applications can be submitted throughout the year, but will be reviewed and decisions will be made at two points in the year: 31 December and 31 May.
Find below full details regarding the bursary and the application form:
Professional Development Bursary
The Professional Development Bursary scheme provides funding for existing EPSRC-funded postgraduate research (PGR) students at the University of Birmingham to undertake professional development activities such as attending industry conferences, attending networking events, becoming a member of a professional organisation, attending training courses and running public engagement events. Applicants may apply for up to £500.
Applications will be considered four times per year: 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March.
Find below full details regarding the bursary and the application form:
Leave of absence
The EPSRC does allow leave of absences to be taken from funded studies for medical and personal reasons, including maternity leave. In addition to this, leave of absences can also be taken if you have been offered a temporary research position or internship which will be of benefit to your overall funded research, or if you need to take a holiday from your research for an extended period of time.
While you are in your leave of absence you will not receive any funding from the EPSRC, but your payments will resume once you have confirmed your return to your studies. In addition to this, your registration dates on your study will be automatically altered to take any leave of absences into account.
PhD students receiving a stipend from a doctoral training grant are entitled to receive a stipend during maternity leave in line with statutory maternity provision. They will also have their studentships extended by a corresponding length of time.
Retrospective leave of absence requests will only be considered by the EPSRC under exceptional circumstances.
Extending your registration or submission date
Extensions to your normal period of registration should be discussed with your Supervisor as part of your annual progress review meeting. If you are in writing up status, an extension to the submission date of your thesis may be approved for personal or medical reasons. Retrospective extension requests will only be considered by the EPSRC under exceptional circumstances.
As the EPSRC only fund their students when they are normally registered, you will not receive additional funding for an extension in your writing up period
Changing from full-time to part-time
The EPSRC will support a transfer from full-time study to part time study (or vice versa) if the request is supported by your School and College. You should discuss any potential changes to your registration status with your Supervisor. Transfers between full time and part time study are only permitted during your period of normal registration. Retrospective transfer requests will only be considered by the EPSRC under exceptional circumstances.
Disabled Students Allowances
To find out if you are eligible for a DSA please visit the UKRI website and read the following guidelines:
To apply for a DSA you will need to contact Disability Services, who will provide you with the relevant forms and can give you further advice about eligibility.
Need more help?
You should contact your College/School directly if you have any queries about your funding which have not been answered on this page.
Before you send an email, you should make sure you have read the information for students funded by the EPSRC and the Research Council training grant guidance: