- ~19,237 pounds / year stipend (est.)Annual maintenance stipend
- Full tuition fees coveredFee support
- 7 partner universitiesWhere you study
- 3 study routesPhD, PhD+methods, 1+3
- Social sciencesEligible fields
- UK and internationalWho can apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€23k
Max amount
Jan 19, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom
Country
NINE Doctoral Training Partnership (ESRC)
Provider
The NINE DTP Scholarships are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and awarded through the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership, which links 7 universities across Northern Ireland and the North East of England: Queen's University Belfast, Durham University, Newcastle University, Ulster University, Northumbria University, Teesside University and the University of Sunderland. The scheme supports doctoral research in the social sciences and offers 3 study routes: a standard 3-year PhD, a PhD with research-methods training, and a combined 1+3 master's-and-PhD pathway. Each studentship covers full tuition fees and pays an annual maintenance stipend of around 19,237 pounds (about 22,000 euros, est.), uprated each cycle in line with UK Research and Innovation rates, plus access to research training, placements and fieldwork support. Awards are open to both UK and international applicants, with international eligibility governed by ESRC rules. Applicants apply to a chosen partner university, usually with a research proposal of up to 2,000 words, a 2-page CV and 2 references, and the deadline for the next cycle falls around 19 January 2027. Confirm the exact current-cycle stipend, the share of places open to international students and the deadline on the official NINE DTP website before you apply.
What's covered
- Annual maintenance stipend — A tax-free maintenance stipend of around ~£19,237 (about ~€22,000, est.) per year, uprated each cycle to the UKRI national rate.
- Full tuition fees — Payment of full doctoral tuition fees for the funded duration of the studentship at the partner university.
- Research training — Structured research-methods training, including the option of a research-methods master's year under the 1+3 route.
- Research support and placements — Access to a Research Training Support Grant, internships and overseas-fieldwork or institutional-visit funding where the project requires it.
- Interdisciplinary cohort — Membership of a cross-institution doctoral cohort with mentoring, networking and collaboration across the seven partner universities.
How to apply
You apply through one of the seven partner universities, not to NINE directly, by submitting a postgraduate-research application and the funding documents the university requires.
- Choose a partner university and supervisor — Identify which of the seven partner universities fits your project and contact a potential supervisor early to shape your proposal.
- Prepare your research proposal — Write a research proposal of up to 2,000 words (excluding bibliography) that sets out your aims, methods and contribution.
- Assemble supporting documents — Prepare a CV of up to 2 pages, two references, full academic transcripts and the partnership's consent and equal-opportunities forms.
- Submit your application to the university — Apply for the relevant PhD or 1+3 programme at your chosen university and flag that you are seeking NINE DTP funding.
- Submit before the deadline — Ensure the full application and references reach the university before the closing date, around 19 January 2027 at 16:00 GMT; late applications are not considered.
Eligibility
Academic recordA good undergraduate degree (typically a 2:1 or higher) in a relevant subject; a related master's is valued for some routes.
Study routeApply for a 3-year PhD, a PhD with research-methods training, or the combined 1+3 master's-and-PhD pathway.
SubjectThe research must fall within the social sciences as defined by ESRC; all social-science subjects are eligible.
NationalityOpen to UK home students and international students, subject to the ESRC funding policy on overseas eligibility and any fee differences.
Supervision fitA clear research proposal that fits the expertise of supervisors at the chosen partner university.
ESRC limits the proportion of studentships that can be awarded to international students, and overseas applicants may need to cover any difference between home and international fees; confirm the current rules with the chosen university.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, All countries (international places under ESRC rules)
Deadlines
2027/2028 cohort~19 January 2027 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the chosen partner university and the NINE DTP on the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, the applicant's academic record and research potential, the strength of the references, and the fit with available supervision. Strong applications are typically shortlisted for interview before funded awards are confirmed across the partnership.
Verified sources
- NINE Doctoral Training Partnershipnine-dtp.ac.ukofficial
- NINE DTP - How to applynine-dtp.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The NINE Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP) is an ESRC-accredited consortium of seven universities across Northern Ireland and the North East of England that funds and trains doctoral researchers in the social sciences, offering studentships, interdisciplinary cohorts, research-methods training and placement opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the NINE DTP Scholarships?
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They are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and delivered through the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership of seven universities in Northern Ireland and the North East of England.
Which universities are part of NINE DTP?
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Queen's University Belfast, Durham University, Newcastle University, Ulster University, Northumbria University, Teesside University and the University of Sunderland.
What does the studentship cover?
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It covers full tuition fees plus an annual maintenance stipend of around 19,237 pounds (about ~22,000 euros, est.), with additional research training and support funding.
What study routes are available?
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A standard 3-year PhD, a PhD with research-methods training, and a combined 1+3 master's-and-PhD pathway.
Can international students apply?
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Yes, but ESRC limits the proportion of awards going to international students and overseas applicants may need to cover any home/international fee difference; check the current rules.
What subjects are eligible?
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Social-science subjects as defined by ESRC, including sociology, economics, psychology, politics, education, human geography, law and criminology.
How long does the funding last?
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Three years for a standard PhD, or up to four years under the 1+3 master's-and-PhD route.
Do I need a master's degree?
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Not always. A relevant master's is valued, but the 1+3 route is designed for applicants who still need research-methods training.
How do I apply?
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You apply to one of the seven partner universities for the relevant PhD or 1+3 programme, submitting a research proposal, CV, two references, transcripts and the required forms.
What is the application deadline?
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For the next cycle the deadline is around 19 January 2027 at 16:00 GMT; confirm the exact date with your chosen university.
Should I contact a supervisor first?
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Yes. Early contact with a potential supervisor is strongly recommended to help shape a strong research proposal.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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Confirm the stipend, international-eligibility rules and deadlines on the official NINE DTP website and the chosen university's research pages each cycle.