The Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP) is now accepting applications for its 2027–28 ESRC-funded doctoral studentship competition, offering prospective postgraduate researchers the opportunity to undertake funded doctoral study across a network of universities in Northern Ireland and the North East of England.

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), NINE DTP supports doctoral researchers working across the social sciences and provides funding alongside structured research training, supervision, research support, placements, networking, and opportunities to develop skills for careers inside and outside academia. The current competition is open, with Stage 1 closing on 27 October 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

NINE DTP brings together seven universities: Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Teesside University, University of Sunderland, Ulster University, and Queen’s University Belfast. Applicants compete through an annual studentship process rather than applying for funding independently of the university and prospective supervisor.

For prospective PhD researchers interested in areas of economics, politics, sociology, geography, education, social policy, communication, business, psychology, and other social science disciplines, the NINE DTP competition provides a route to doctoral funding while also incorporating formal research training and professional development.

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What Is the NINE DTP?

The Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP) is a collaborative doctoral training partnership funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, which is part of UK Research and Innovation.

Its purpose is to provide doctoral students with more than simply financial support for a PhD. The partnership combines doctoral research with structured training, supervision, professional development, research activity, collaboration, and opportunities to apply research beyond the university environment.

NINE DTP describes itself as a hub for social science research and provides students with opportunities to develop the research skills and knowledge needed to work in contemporary research environments.

The partnership’s current studentship competition is open for 2027–28 entry, and successful applicants will undertake postgraduate study beginning in October 2027.

NINE DTP ESRC Studentships 2027–28: Key Details

The current NINE DTP website states that the 2027–28 competition is open and that Stage 1 closes on 27 October 2026 at 4 p.m.

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What Does the NINE DTP Studentship Provide?

A NINE DTP award is designed as a comprehensive doctoral training package rather than simply a tuition-fee scholarship.

1. Tuition Fee Support

NINE DTP studentships provide support for tuition fees.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the UKRI fee rate listed by NINE DTP is £5,238. The partnership states that home fees are covered for students receiving NINE DTP funding.

International students can also apply. However, NINE DTP states that it can award a maximum of 30% of its studentships to international candidates, as defined by ESRC and UKRI. Where international tuition fees exceed the UKRI fee contribution, the difference must be covered through institutional, departmental, or other funding arrangements.

2. Tax-Free Doctoral Stipend

Successful students receive a tax-free maintenance stipend.

The current NINE DTP page lists the 2026–27 stipend as £21,805. Future rates may be updated for the 2027–28 academic year, so applicants should check the official NINE DTP information when planning their finances.

The stipend is intended to provide financial support while the student undertakes their funded doctoral research and training.

3. Additional Research Funding

NINE DTP students can receive additional support for research-related activities.

The partnership highlights additional funding for areas including:

• Fieldwork
• Research activity
• Placements
• Training
• Conference participation
• Other developmental opportunities
• Overseas institutional visits

NINE DTP also has a dedicated additional-funding system through which eligible students can apply for support for activities such as overseas fieldwork, difficult-language training, and overseas institutional visits.

For example, eligible NINE DTP doctoral researchers can apply for an Overseas Institutional Visit, with the DTP able to provide up to £4,000 toward travel and accommodation and potentially extend the studentship by up to three months, subject to the review panel and available funding.

4. Research Training and Skills Development

Training is a central part of the NINE DTP model.

Rather than spending the entire doctoral period working independently on a thesis, students have access to training opportunities across the DTP.

NINE DTP currently has 18 training pathways, covering disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas across the social sciences. Each pathway is accredited by ESRC for the quality and relevance of its research and training provision.

The training is designed to help doctoral researchers develop:

• Research methods
• Academic research skills
• Subject-specific knowledge
• Professional skills
• Communication skills
• Research impact skills
• Collaboration skills
• Career-development skills

The partnership’s broader objective is to prepare doctoral researchers for careers both within universities and across public, private, and third-sector organizations.

5. Research in Practice Placement

One particularly important feature of NINE DTP is its emphasis on research beyond academia.

The awards incorporate Research in Practice (RinP) as a core element of the studentship.

NINE DTP explains that every award includes support for an integrated three-month placement, intended to develop collaborative research leaders who can work across sectors and disciplines. Students who do not undertake the three-month placement have their funding award reduced by three months.

This can provide doctoral researchers with an opportunity to understand how research is used outside the university environment and to develop professional experience alongside their academic work.

6. Supervision

Applicants are expected to identify a prospective supervisor before submitting their NINE DTP nomination.

The supervisor must support the application and, if the applicant is successful, guide the student’s doctoral research.

NINE DTP states that applicants must identify a prospective supervisor within a department or school participating in a relevant NINE DTP training pathway.

This means prospective applicants should not wait until the final application deadline to contact potential supervisors.

The supervisor plays an important role in the funding application itself because the supervisor must complete the relevant approval section after the applicant submits the Stage 1 nomination.

How the NINE DTP Application Process Works

The NINE DTP application is different from simply filling out a scholarship form.

Applicants must complete several connected stages involving:

1. Identifying a university.
2. Finding an appropriate supervisor.
3. Applying to the university.
4. Developing a research programme.
5. Completing the NINE DTP Stage 1 nomination.
6. Obtaining supervisor approval.
7. Providing references.
8. Going through departmental and pathway assessment.
9. Potentially progressing to Stage 2.
10. Competing in the final studentship competition.

NINE DTP describes the current competition as a two-stage process.

Step 1: Identify Your Proposed University and Supervisor

The first major step is identifying where you want to study and who could supervise your research.

The supervisor should be based in a department or school participating in a NINE DTP pathway relevant to your proposed research.

NINE DTP specifically recommends that applicants make sure the prospective supervisor supports their application before proceeding.

When approaching a potential supervisor, applicants should be prepared to explain:

• Their academic background.
• Their proposed research topic.
• Why the topic fits the supervisor’s expertise.
• Why the research fits the relevant NINE DTP pathway.
• Their methodological interests.
• Their reasons for choosing the particular university.
• Their broader doctoral research goals.

Step 2: Apply to the University

Applicants must also apply to the university where they intend to study.

NINE DTP states that applicants should apply to their university for the appropriate postgraduate programme, depending on the award route they are seeking.

Importantly, NINE DTP funding and university admission are separate processes.

NINE DTP states that eligibility for its funding does not automatically guarantee admission to the university of the applicant’s choice because universities have their own admissions procedures and eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Develop Your Research Programme

Applicants work with their prospective supervisor to develop their research programme.

NINE DTP does not simply ask applicants to submit a conventional single research proposal.

Instead, the Stage 1 nomination asks applicants to answer a series of questions about their proposed research. The partnership recommends consulting the official policies and procedures document when preparing these responses.

The research programme should fit within the remit of the economic and social sciences and should align with:

• The applicant’s academic background.
• The proposed research topic.
• The chosen NINE DTP pathway.
• The expertise of the supervisory team.
• The research resources available at the host institution.

Step 4: Submit the Stage 1 Nomination

Once the applicant completes the Stage 1 nomination form, they submit it through the NINE DTP system.

The current deadline is:

27 October 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Applicants should submit their nomination sufficiently early because submission triggers additional actions.

After the applicant submits:

• The primary supervisor receives a request to complete the supervisor approval form.
• Named referees are contacted for references.
• A collaborative partner may be contacted if one is included in the application.

The supervisor approval form must be submitted by the Stage 1 deadline. NINE DTP specifically advises applicants to complete their nomination well before the deadline because the supervisor has substantive questions to answer.

Step 5: Department and Pathway Assessment

Following submission, applications are reviewed through the relevant department or school and NINE DTP pathway.

Applicants may be:

• Unsuccessful at this stage.
• Allowed to proceed without changes.
• Asked to make suggested changes before the final Stage 1 submission.

Successful candidates can then progress toward the second stage of the competition.

Step 6: Stage 2 Competition

Applicants who successfully pass the Stage 1 departmental and pathway competitions can be invited to submit a Stage 2 nomination.

The focus changes somewhat at this stage.

While Stage 1 is heavily focused on the proposed research, NINE DTP explains that Stage 2 focuses more on the proposed training and supervision.

Transcripts and a CV are also due alongside the Stage 2 nomination.

Stage 2 nominations are formally submitted by the supervisor, with input from the applicant.

How Many Studentships Are Awarded?

NINE DTP states that its Studentship Committee typically makes approximately 50–55 awards, alongside approximately 30 reserve offers.

The exact number of awards can vary by competition and funding arrangements.

The competition is open rather than guaranteeing funding to everyone who meets the minimum eligibility requirements. NINE DTP explains that decisions are based on the quality of candidates and their proposed research and training programmes.

Who Can Apply?

The basic eligibility requirements are relatively broad.

According to the current NINE DTP eligibility guidance, an applicant must:

• Have completed an undergraduate degree.
• Identify and obtain support from a supervisory team at a participating NINE DTP department or school.
• Develop a coherent research and training programme.
• Ensure the proposed programme falls within the remit of the economic and social sciences.
• Align the proposed research with their academic background and the resources of the intended institution.
• Commit, if funded, to living within reasonable travelling distance of their university or collaborative partner, except when undertaking fieldwork.

Do You Need a Master’s Degree?

Not necessarily.

NINE DTP explicitly states that applicants do not need to have completed a Master’s degree before applying.

Where a student requires Master’s-level training as part of their doctoral programme, this can be incorporated into the relevant award structure.

This is particularly important for applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree but have not yet undertaken postgraduate study.

Can International Students Apply?

Yes.

NINE DTP states that, since October 2020, UKRI has permitted candidates to apply for NINE DTP funding regardless of residential status or nationality.

However, there is an important restriction:

NINE DTP may award a maximum of 30% of its studentships to international candidates, according to the ESRC/UKRI definition of international candidates.

International applicants should therefore carefully review the fee arrangements for their chosen university.

NINE DTP states that UKRI provides the standard fee contribution, but where international tuition fees are higher, the difference must be covered through departmental, university, or other funding arrangements. The DTP notes that historically international NINE DTP students have had these fee differences covered by their universities.

What Subjects Can Be Studied?

NINE DTP supports research within the economic and social sciences.

The partnership currently offers 18 training pathways, representing disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas within the social sciences.

The exact research possibilities depend on the available pathways, participating departments, supervisors, and the ESRC remit.

Applicants should therefore check the relevant NINE DTP pathway and participating department before developing their proposal.

Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities

NINE DTP also includes routes for interdisciplinary research.

One of the identified ESRC “steers” is the Cross Council route, which is designed for interdisciplinary projects crossing boundaries between social sciences and areas such as the arts or sciences.

Such projects must still demonstrate appropriate social science research training and methods.

This can be relevant for applicants whose proposed research combines social science with another disciplinary area.

Action for Equality Scheme

NINE DTP also operates an Action for Equality (AforE) scheme.

The current information states that the scheme provides four full scholarships for eligible home-fee candidates who are British or Irish and from Black, Asian, Roma, Traveller, or mixed ethnic backgrounds.

The NINE DTP eligibility page similarly states that candidates for the Action for Equality scheme must meet the standard eligibility requirements and be UK-domiciled candidates who identify as being British or Irish from the specified ethnic backgrounds.

Applicants who meet these criteria do not submit a completely separate application; NINE DTP states that eligible candidates can be considered through the same initial process.

Award Length and Study Options

NINE DTP supports different doctoral training structures.

The partnership’s general information describes awards ranging from approximately three and a half years to five and a half years, or part-time equivalents, depending on the student’s training requirements and award structure.

NINE DTP’s current awards information also confirms that award types can be undertaken on a part-time basis, with duration and stipend adjusted pro rata.

The longer routes can incorporate substantial Master’s-level or research-methods training before the doctoral research phase.

Research Environment and Collaboration

NINE DTP places considerable emphasis on creating a research environment that extends beyond an individual student’s university department.

Students can work with:

• Researchers from other NINE DTP universities.
• Academic supervisors.
• Non-academic partners.
• Research organizations.
• Professional and policy organizations.
• Other doctoral researchers.

The partnership’s structure is intended to encourage collaboration across universities and disciplines while providing doctoral students with access to broader training opportunities.

Additional Opportunities During the PhD

NINE DTP students can potentially access several opportunities beyond their core doctoral research.

These include:

Conferences

Funding can support participation in conferences and other academic events.

Fieldwork

Additional funding can support eligible research-related fieldwork.

Overseas Institutional Visits

Eligible students can undertake visits to overseas higher education institutions or organizations with substantive research offices.

Placements

The Research in Practice programme provides an integrated three-month placement opportunity.

Professional Development

Students can participate in training designed to improve research, communication, employability, and professional skills.

Important Deadline for 2027–28 Applicants

The current NINE DTP competition is open for 2027–28 entry.

Stage 1 deadline:

27 October 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

NINE DTP emphasizes that the application is not complete simply because the student submits their own section. The primary supervisor must also complete the supervisor approval form by the deadline.

For this reason, applicants should begin the process well before October 27.

How to Prepare Before the Deadline

Prospective applicants should consider beginning with the following sequence:

1. Identify your research area

Make sure your intended project falls within the relevant social science remit.

2. Explore NINE DTP pathways

There are 18 training pathways, so identify the pathway that best corresponds with your proposed research.

3. Identify potential supervisors

Look at researchers in the participating universities whose expertise matches your research interests.

4. Contact your prospective supervisor

Discuss your proposed project and determine whether they are willing to support your NINE DTP application.

5. Apply to the university

Remember that the NINE DTP funding application does not replace the university’s own admission process.

6. Develop your research programme

Work with your supervisor while ensuring that the research programme remains your own intellectually developed project.

7. Prepare your references and documents

Make sure potential referees are available and that your academic documents are ready.

8. Complete Stage 1 early

Do not wait until the final afternoon. Your supervisor must complete their part before the deadline.

Why the NINE DTP Model Is Different from a Standard PhD

A conventional PhD can be heavily focused on an individual research project and supervisory relationship.

The NINE DTP model adds a broader training environment.

A funded NINE DTP researcher can potentially combine:

Doctoral research + structured training + research methods + supervision + placement + collaboration + professional development + additional research funding.

The partnership’s stated aim is to develop social scientists who can produce high-quality research while also developing the skills needed to create real-world impact.

Learn more HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NINE DTP?

NINE DTP stands for the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership. It is an ESRC-funded partnership involving seven universities in Northern Ireland and the North East of England.

Is this a PhD scholarship?

Yes. It is an ESRC-funded doctoral studentship competition, providing financial support for postgraduate research.

What is the application deadline?

The current Stage 1 deadline is 27 October 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Do I need a Master’s degree?

No. NINE DTP states that a Master’s degree is not required before applying. Appropriate Master’s-level training can form part of certain award structures.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International candidates are eligible to apply, although no more than 30% of NINE DTP studentships can be awarded to international candidates under the current rules.

Do I need a supervisor?

Yes. Applicants must identify a prospective supervisor and obtain their support. The supervisor also has an important role in submitting the nomination.

Can I study part-time?

Yes. NINE DTP states that all award types can be offered on a part-time basis, with duration and stipend adjusted proportionately.

Are there opportunities outside the university?

Yes. The programme incorporates a Research in Practice placement and offers additional opportunities involving research activity, collaboration, fieldwork, and overseas institutional visits.

Conclusion

The NINE DTP ESRC Studentships 2027–28 offer prospective social science researchers a route into funded doctoral study across seven universities in Northern Ireland and the North East of England.

The programme combines financial support with a wider doctoral training environment that includes tuition-fee support, a tax-free stipend, research funding, structured training, specialist supervision, collaborative opportunities, and an integrated Research in Practice placement.

The opportunity is also accessible to applicants who have not completed a Master’s degree, while international candidates are permitted to apply subject to the DTP’s funding limits and relevant fee arrangements.

For applicants interested in developing a career in social science research, policy, government, civil society, business, or other research-related sectors, the programme provides doctoral study alongside opportunities to develop broader research and professional capabilities.

The most important immediate date for prospective applicants is 27 October 2026 at 4:00 p.m., which is the deadline for the Stage 1 nomination. Because applicants need to identify a supervisor, apply to their university, develop their research programme, and ensure the supervisor completes the required approval, preparation should begin well before the deadline.

Official NINE DTP application information: NINE DTP — Prospective Students and Application Process

For more information click HERE