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These awards are designed to underpin discovery-driven research at universities across the UK to train the next generation of scientists.
The investment will be allocated through three of UKRI’s research councils to support doctoral students to develop their skills and experience across the biological sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and natural and environmental sciences.
As part of the announcement, the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has confirmed the award of a Doctoral Landscape Award, which succeeds the current Norwich Research Park Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP).
The NRPDTP programme recruits exceptional candidates to study at one of five centres of excellence, all located on the Norwich Research Park: the John Innes Centre (lead), Earlham Institute, Quadram Institute Bioscience, and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The awarding body for the programme is the University of East Anglia.
Programme Director and Chair of the Norwich Research Park Graduate School, Professor Anne Graham, said: “I am delighted that BBSRC continues to support our successful PhD programme.
“We are proud to have a long tradition of training highly skilled researchers and scientists, and while the global challenges of the 21st century are huge, it is advances in bioscience which offer real opportunities to make a difference.
“Our students will address topics such as sustainable agriculture and food, improving plant and human health, transformative technologies, and boosting nutrition through plant innovation.”
Doctoral students will develop their skills and experience across a four-year PhD studentship, with an integrated three-month Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS). The PIPS allows individuals to work on topics not directly related to their PhD projects, helping them to explore future career options.
Some students will undertake Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CASE) projects, which are partnerships between a Norwich Research Park partner and a non-academic partner.
Professor Neil Hall, Director of the Earlham Institute, said: “Students play such an important role in the research ecosystem. As well as bringing new perspectives and ideas, they are the future technicians, post-docs, and group leaders whose work will define the next era of bioscience.
“This investment allows us to continue nurturing talented students and offering them a collaborative and multidisciplinary start to their careers. They’ll make significant contributions to our strategic programmes of research, which tackle the biggest issues facing the planet.”
The doctoral programme at the Norwich Research Park is unique in bringing together the resources of five world-class research institutions on a single site.
Doctoral candidates have the opportunity, within one programme, to pursue multidisciplinary research - encompassing everything from computational and systems biology to large-scale crop field trials.
At the Earlham Institute, PhD students have access to cutting-edge technology platforms, advanced scientific training, and multidisciplinary expertise.
PhD students are also a key part of the vibrant and inclusive research community, with the opportunity to work with internationally-recognised scientists and contribute to strengthening both the Institute’s science and culture.
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.”
