Collaborative Doctoral Awards FAQs

FAQs for academic supervisors submitting CDA project proposal applications

• Can the lead academic supervisor submit a CDA project proposal which includes an international non-HEI partner?

  In most cases the non-HEI partner must have an operating base in the UK.  In exceptional cases, a collaboration with a company or organisation based outside of the UK can be considered. AHRC recognises that, given the distinctive nature of its subject domain, there may be potential for reciprocal research collaborations outside the UK. The project team submitting the CDA project proposal will need to clarify what additional benefits are to be gained from the collaboration, that demonstrable value from the project will be accrued to the UK, and that the collaboration will deliver long-term, lasting benefits. The overseas partner must specify a minimum contribution and would be expected to cover additional costs of travel to and from the UK. The logistics of running such a partnership should be carefully considered in order to demonstrate that the project is both viable and feasible.

• Can students or non-HEI partners submit an application for a CDA project proposal?

  Applications must be made by an academic member of staff at one of LAHP’s eight HEIs working in collaboration with a non-HEI partner organisation.

  Non-HEI-partner organisations and students wishing to submit a proposal should make contact with academic staff at one of the LAHP HEIs.

• How many CDA project proposal applications can an academic supervisor submit?

  An academic supervisor can submit a maximum of two separate applications.

• Can academic supervisors re-submit a project proposal if previously unsuccessful?

  Previously unsuccessful CDA projects can be re-submitted in the following year. The panel will assess the same project (i.e. same academic and partner institution) for a maximum of two years in a row.

• Do CDA project proposals need to include a nominated student?

  No, academic supervisors can submit CDA project proposal applications that do not include a nominated student to conduct the research. When this is the case, if successful, the CDA project will be advertised for students’ applications.

• Does the second academic supervisor need to be from the same HEI as the lead academic supervisor?

  No, the second academic supervisor can be from a different HEI.

• Can the second academic supervisor be from a non-LAHP HEI?

  Yes, the second academic supervisor can be from a non-LAHP HEI. However, please note that LAHP resources cannot be used to cover supervision at the non-LAHP HEI.

• Can a proposal have more than one non-HEI partner?

  Yes. If you are proposing more than one non-HEI partner, please make it clear in your application how the collaboration will work, which organisation would lead, and which organisation would provide supervision.

FAQs for students submitting CDA applications

• What does LAHP fund?

  The LAHP CDA studentship includes a stipend at the Research Council UK Home/ EU rate (£20,622 per annum – 2023/24 rate) plus fees for three and half years (or part-time equivalent). The awarded candidate will also be entitled to a £550 per annum stipend top-up. Studentships can be either full-time or part-time. Students can apply for an extension of up to six months for a placement or extended training. Students can also apply for funding to support research and training; impact, engagement and entrepreneurship; and student-led activities.

• Can students apply for a LAHP CDA studentship without a Masters degree?

  Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, and a Masters-level qualification or equivalent which meets AHRC requirements for research training. Applicants with relevant work/professional experience who are considering doing a PhD are also encouraged to apply; however please note that you will also be subject to meeting the host university’s (i.e. the institution where the lead supervisor of the CDA is based) admissions criteria, and any LAHP award is conditional on the candidate being offered a place to study at the host university.

• Can international students apply for funding?

  LAHP studentships are open to UK and international students who meet the residency requirements as detailed on the UKRI Guidance document on EU and International eligibility. Please note that the AHRC will only fund the Home fee for international applicants. The funding to cover the difference between the Home and international fee must be sought elsewhere (i.e. from an institutional, external funder or student contribution). Students should discuss this further with their prospective supervisor.

  LAHP encourages all international applicants to apply to other funding sources that could cover the difference between the Home and international fee.

• Does LAHP cover visa costs for international applicants?

  No, LAHP does not cover visa costs for international applicants. Please check directly with the university of the lead CDA academic supervisor.

• Are students required to be in receipt of a PhD place offer before applying for a CDA studentship?

  No, students are not required to be in receipt of a PhD place offer before applying for a CDA studentship; but they MUST have submitted an application for a PhD place at the institution where the CDA lead academic supervisor is based before the LAHP CDA application deadline. (Please note application deadlines for individual institutions might be different. Please check directly with your own institution.)

  Students must be in receipt of an offer on their chosen PhD programme by mid-March 2024.

• Can students apply for more than one CDA project?

  LAHP only accepts applications for the Collaborative Doctoral Awards projects which will are listed on our website and in the drop down menu of the application form on the online portal. Candidates wishing to apply to more than one of the listed CDA projects should submit separate applications.

• Can students apply for both one of the advertised CDA projects as well as the open competition?

  Yes, you can submit an application for both the open studentship competition as well as one of the advertised CDA projects.

• What shall I indicate for the Study application ID on the application form?

  In this section you should indicate the student number you received from the HEI where you are applying for a place on a PhD programme.

• Can I amend my application when submitted?

  No, but you can withdraw your application and resubmit it to make changes as long as the final application is submitted before the deadline (26th January 2024 at 5pm).

• Can late applications be accepted?

  No. Please ensure that you allow sufficient time (i) to prepare your application; (ii) for your two referees to complete your references; and (iii) for you to submit the complete application via the online portal before the deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure that both references are submitted on time for you to complete your application submission by the deadline.

• Can students who are currently undertaking a PhD apply for a CDA studentship?

  Students who are currently undertaking a PhD are not eligible to apply for CDA studentships. However they can consider applying to the LAHP open studentship competition, provided that they have at least 50% left of the PhD studies from the start of the award (i.e. October 2024) to the start of their writing up period.

• Can students hold a LAHP-funded CDA while working full-time?

  Students in full-time employment are not eligible for a stipend of any kind from UKRI. A student in part time employment may be eligible for a part-time award, which should not be less than 50% of full time.

• I am a student in receipt of a CDA studentships which involves an international non-HEI partner, where should I be based?

  LAHP and the AHRC expect students to be resident close to the university at which they are studying.

  Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies and any time spent overseas should be for the purposes of fieldwork/long-term attachment.  Students must live within a reasonable travel time of their university or collaborative organisation to ensure that they are able to maintain regular contact with their department and their Supervisor. This is to ensure that the Student is not isolated and receives the full support, mentoring, training and access to facilities required to complete their research successfully and to a high standard. The only exceptions to these requirements are to cover periods of absence that are an essential part of their study e.g. fieldwork, study visits or conference attendance.

• Can the lead academic supervisor submit a CDA project proposal which includes an international non-HEI partner?

  In most cases the non-HEI partner must have an operating base in the UK.  In exceptional cases, a collaboration with a company or organisation based outside of the UK can be considered. AHRC recognises that, given the distinctive nature of its subject domain, there may be potential for reciprocal research collaborations outside the UK. The project team submitting the CDA project proposal will need to clarify what additional benefits are to be gained from the collaboration, that demonstrable value from the project will be accrued to the UK, and that the collaboration will deliver long-term, lasting benefits. The overseas partner must specify a minimum contribution and would be expected to cover additional costs of travel to and from the UK. The logistics of running such a partnership should be carefully considered in order to demonstrate that the project is both viable and feasible.

• Can students or non-HEI partners submit an application for a CDA project proposal?

  Applications must be made by an academic member of staff at one of LAHP’s eight HEIs working in collaboration with a non-HEI partner organisation.

  Non-HEI-partner organisations and students wishing to submit a proposal should make contact with academic staff at one of the LAHP HEIs.

• How many CDA project proposal applications can an academic supervisor submit?

  An academic supervisor can submit a maximum of two separate applications.

• Can academic supervisors re-submit a project proposal if previously unsuccessful?

  Previously unsuccessful CDA projects can be re-submitted in the following year. The panel will assess the same project (i.e. same academic and partner institution) for a maximum of two years in a row.

• Do CDA project proposals need to include a nominated student?

  No, academic supervisors can submit CDA project proposal applications that do not include a nominated student to conduct the research. When this is the case, if successful, the CDA project will be advertised for students’ applications.