RCUK unveils expectations for doctoral training support

The single Statement provides clarity on their expectations of research organisations, students and their training environment across all seven Research Councils. It also aims to simplify administration within research organisations.

RCUK has also today published a Joint Vision for Collaborative Training, to ensure that those doctoral students embarking on collaborative training programmes between academic and business partners are provided with a first-rate, challenging research training experience.

Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of RCUK, said:

‘The Research Councils support the next generation of researchers to maintain our much-prized national capability and to develop highly skilled researchers for impact across the whole economy. It is vital that we ensure a consistently high-quality experience for the research students we fund. By setting out a single statement of expectations for students funded by all seven Research Councils, we are harmonising and simplifying the process for institutions to ensure a consistently high-quality experience for our funded students’

RCUK is currently finalising a common set of terms and conditions and associated guidance for training grants across all seven Research Councils, which will be published in autumn 2013, along with a common set of associated guidance. The intention is for these terms and conditions to come into effect for training grants starting in academic year 2014/15...