Durham University Pro:NE Studentship(s)

This is an open call for full time Doctoral Research Studentship applications for UK-HOME candidates from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds, specifically: Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African Mixed or multiple ethnic groups. Please see the Government's guidance on ethnicity facts and figures for more details. Four PhD studentship are on offer at Durham University under the Office for Students: Postgraduate Research Opportunities for the Northeast/Network for Equity (pro:NE).

Research opportunities

Postgraduate Research Opportunities for the Northeast/Network for Equity (Pro:NE) is an ambitious, multi-partner regional research project funded by the Office for Students. Durham University has joined together with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside Universities to develop a 4-year programme (ending in January 2026) to mobilise and increase the number of students of colour undertaking post-graduate research in the North-East universities and to ensure that they receive the support that they need. Access and participation for students of colour is limited by persistent inequalities that exist throughout Higher Education but is of prevalence in the Northeast which has some of the lowest numbers of students of colour in England.

Awarded on applicant excellence

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of applicant excellence. The candidate’s academic and/or work profile and proposal quality will be under purview. The studentship supports a full stipend, paid for three years (36 months) at UKRI rates currently £17,668 per year and full tuition fees for home candidates from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds only, specifically: Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African Mixed or multiple ethnic groups. Please see the Government's guidance on ethnicity facts and figures for more details. As additional information, please see advanced HE guidance on positive action for reasoning around offering these studentships for candidates exclusively from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

The proposed research topic must fit within one our four Faculties at Durham University:

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Business
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Health

Eligibility and how to apply:

Eligibility requirements:

• Home student from a racially minoritised ethnic people background, specifically: Asian or Asian British, Black, Black British, Caribbean or African Mixed or multiple ethnic groups. Please see the Government's guidance on ethnicity facts and figures for more details.
• • Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
    
    
    • be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
    • have settled status, or
    • have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
    • have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
      
      
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. at least 2:1 at bachelor’s (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities); and/or a master’s or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Durham or elsewhere, or if they have previously been awarded a PhD.
• The applicant is not receiving any other form of studentship funding.
• The applicant will not be in full-time work if successful.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form.

For academic enquiries about the Pro:NE award, please contact faculty administrators: 

Science Faculty

Arts & Humanities Faculty

Social Sciences & Health Faculty

Business Faculty

After an application has been made, please contact the Science Faculty Office for any enquiries about the administration process.

For non-academic enquiries please contact Pro:NE

All document templates required for an application can be accessed via the online Application Portal.

• Applications that do not include a research proposal of a maximum 1,500 words (includes footnotes but excludes bibliography) will not be considered.
• Applicants should be clear in which Faculty and Department they are applying to.
• Applicants should be clear and state that they are applying for Pro:NE Studentship funding.
• Applicants who submit an incomplete and unsolicited application form, either direct to schools or departments or direct to the project selection panel, will not be considered.
• Applicants apply to their preferred school or department and signal that they wish to be considered for a Pro:NE studentship award. Their application will then be passed on to the administering faculty where their application will be considered at Pro:NE Postgraduate Studentships board.

Deadline for applications: 28^th April 2023

Offer made: Mid-June

Start Date:  October 2023