NINE DTP Fully Funded Social Science PhD

The Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP), funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), awards around 50 to 55 fully funded social science PhD studentships each year across seven universities: Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Sunderland, Ulster and Queen's University Belfast. Studies start in October 2027, full time or part time, and you do not need a master's degree to apply. Applications are made together with a prospective supervisor, who nominates you through a two stage competition.

What you get:

• Tuition fees paid at the UKRI home rate (£5,238 in 2026-27) for every award holder
• A tax-free living stipend at the UKRI national rate (£21,805 in 2026-27)
• Funding for 3.5, 3.75, 4 or 4.5 years, the longest including a one year master's in research methods before the PhD
• A funded three month Research in Practice placement built into every award
• Access to extra funds: up to £3,000 for research and training, up to £7,500 for overseas fieldwork, up to £4,000 for an overseas institutional visit and up to £1,500 towards placement costs
• Training across the partnership and a cohort of social science researchers in 18 training pathways

What you'll do:

• Find a supervisor at a NINE DTP department in one of the 18 pathways and apply to that university for a PhD or master's place
• Answer the Stage 1 questions about your proposed research through the nomination portal, which your supervisor then approves
• If your pathway shortlists you, complete a Stage 2 nomination on your training and supervision, with a CV and transcripts
• If funded, start in October 2027 and live within reasonable travel distance of your university

Key dates:

• 1 September 2026: Stage 1 nomination portal opened
• 27 October 2026, 4pm UK time: complete draft Stage 1 nomination, approved by your supervisor, due
• 17 November 2026, 4pm: final Stage 1 nomination, references and any partner letters due
• Shortly after 8 December 2026: shortlisted applicants invited to Stage 2
• 26 January 2027, 4pm: Stage 2 nomination due
• 4 March 2027: award decisions, with notification shortly after
• October 2027: studentships begin

More information:

• Full rules, questions and assessment criteria are in the NINE DTP Studentship Competition Policies and Procedures 2027-28 document on the Applying pages
• Pathway list and participating departments: ninedtp.ac.uk/our-pathways
• Questions: contact.nine@durham.ac.uk

• Completed undergraduate degree; a master's is not required (a 4.5 year award includes one)
• Support from a primary supervisor at a NINE DTP department or school in the pathway that fits your research
• A research and training programme within the economic and social sciences, at least 50 percent social science as the ESRC defines it
• Apply to one pathway at one university only
• Must be starting postgraduate study in October 2027; awards cannot be deferred
• Must live within reasonable travel distance of your university while funded, except during fieldwork or placement
• Any nationality or residency status; international awards capped at 30 percent
• Already started a PhD: only if within your first full-time year and without full funding
• Full time or part time (at least 0.5 FTE)