The funding will support 26.6 PhDs on doctoral training partnerships (DTPs) at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University Management School, the Data Science Institute and the Institute for Social Futures.

Professor Linda Woodhead, Director of the Institute for Social Futures, welcomed the award.

“These new positions will offer outstanding candidates an opportunity to shape engineering and physics sciences with applications which connect to the new field of social futures whilst being part of a vibrant, collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.  Successful candidates will connect disciplines in interdisciplinary projects and contribute to world-changing research in futures thinking.

The 3.5 year studentships will help support PhD research training over two annual cohorts and are being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The DTP funds will support students for the academic years beginning October 2016 and 2017.

Professor Stephen Decent, Lancaster’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) said: “This funding will provide valuable training for the development of our postgraduate research students. These brilliant minds at Lancaster contribute an essential part towards the UK's future economic growth."

EPSRC’s Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, said: “This year we are allocating £167 million to universities via Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These will cover a two year period and give institutions greater certainty and increased time to plan their DTP programmes, and support excellent doctoral students.”