Deadline: September 16, 2026
The Doctoral Focal Awards in Data-Intensive Sciences is seeking applications to support doctoral research that develops advanced data skills for academic and industrial applications.
The funding focuses on managing, exploiting, visualising, analysing and interpreting large, complex datasets, handling high rates of data flows, developing novel methodologies, techniques, tools and technologies, delivering tools and methodologies that can be used by organisations, industry and government, managing data for novel, intelligent and autonomous systems where aligned with the STFC remit, combining data skills with expertise in astronomy, accelerator physics, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics and cosmology, or nuclear physics, and applying this expertise to a different sector, industrial context or both.
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) will support doctoral focal awards in the field of data-intensive sciences. This funding opportunity builds on STFC’s previous investment to provide students with the skills and training needed for careers in academia or industry.
Students supported through these awards are expected to undertake an original research project that combines expertise in data-intensive sciences with one of the research areas covered by the STFC remit. The research should also demonstrate its application in a different sector, industrial setting or both.
Projects should demonstrate their relationship with other STFC and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) investments in data-intensive sciences where appropriate.
The total funding available under this opportunity is £10.5 million, with a maximum award value of £2.1 million.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities delivered through the new UKRI Funding Service. Applicants should refer to the eligibility guidance for full details on individual eligibility.
STFC facilities cannot host a doctoral focal award centre independently but may participate as partners through collaboration where appropriate.
Applicants are expected to secure active support and engagement from industrial and project partners. Although financial contributions from industry are not mandatory, industrial representation is expected on the management board along with continued engagement throughout the duration of the awards.
For more information, visit UKRI.
