Lancaster University is set to train around 50 new PhD students, providing a new generation of research leaders – with the first cohort starting in October next year.

The research places, which are spread over six years, are becoming available thanks to a £4.75 million Doctoral Landscape Award from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The Doctoral Landscape Award builds on Lancaster’s strong track record of delivering post-graduate research training in areas vital to support the UK’s future economy, as well as it’s critical mass of expertise across key areas such as mathematical sciences, cyber and computing.

The new generation of researchers will be equipped with skills in areas closely aligned to the EPSRC’s strategic priority areas such as engineering net zero, AI, digitalisation and data, transforming health and healthcare and quantum technologies.

Lancaster’s strong record of working with key regional sectors, as well as with an extensive network of small and medium sized businesses, will provide collaborative partnership opportunities to ensure researchers are equipped with high-demand skills relevant to today’s economy.

Professor Malcolm Joyce, interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise of Lancaster University, said: “This funding for around 50 PhD researchers here at Lancaster provides outstanding opportunities for new cohorts of talented and ambitious researchers across a range of disciplines, equipping them with knowledge and skills in high demand enabling them to contribute towards the UK's future and prosperity.”

Lancaster’s EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award funding is part of a £500 million investment in doctoral researchers by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in new schemes called Doctoral Landscape Awards and Doctoral Focal Awards. These replace the nine different schemes through which UKRI currently supports doctoral training.

As part of this the EPSRC will invest £279 million in university doctoral landscape awards to train the next generation of researchers and innovators to enhance UK national capability.

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour.

“The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”