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Collaborative studentships

Find information and guidance on collaborative studentships.

Background


The main funder is usually the Research Councils - but not exclusively. Top-ups are funded by the relevant sector partner

Collaborative studentships consist of;

  • Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) provides funding for PhD studentships where businesses take the lead in arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice.
  • CASE Conversion - which allows a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) to be converted to a CASE award if predefined conditions are met.
  • Impact studentships -  are funded by the Department/Faculty and do not normally involve Research Council funding.

Things to do first


  • Ensure that the external partner has completed the UCL sign-up form (pdf)  (this will be used to inform the studentship contract.
  • Contact Contract Services to initiate the contract processes.
  • Complete any UKRI JeS student details, including partner contributions.
  • Liaise with Contract Services on a regular basis for contract completion.
  • Liaise with the lead academic accordingly.

Running the studentship


  • Monitor the funding from both Research Council and sector partner to ensure all funds are fully used.
  • A Project Financial Review should be carried out quarterly.
  • Ensure that any required time at the sector partner organisation is completed. Minimum 3 months for CASE Studentships, but does not have to be completed in a single tranche
  • If the student drops out then notify the Research Studentships Unit, who may be able to re-use funds. You will also need to amend the relevant UKRI Je-S record.

Administrators best practice


  • Ensure that you have read and understood the terms of the contract and Grant conditions. The student/supervisor should be aware of any specific terms that relate to their conduct of the project and/or obligations that have been placed on UCL and themselves. Students need to record all visits to the partner sites in the student e-log.
  • It is important to make sure that students do not commence until the Studentship contract has been signed by UCL and the external partner. If they do start ahead of contract completion then this is at the Departments risk.
  • When negotiating with the sector partners make sure that all staff involved are aware of the R&D Tax Credit rules – this is a great bargaining tool to hold in reserve.
  • For CASE conversions or Impact studentships you can use 1 x 4-year studentship from the Research Councils to provide 50% of funding and therefore if a funder is prepared to fund a whole studentship, they could have two studentships undertaking differing projects on their behalf for the same funding. Note: R&D Tax Credits includes both cash and in-kind contributions.

Liaise with Research Studentships Unit and Contract Services as required to ensure that the studentship commences on time and is adequately funded.