# Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Duration:** 4 years (four-year doctorate)
**Consortium:** Optional — single and multi-organisational teams equally welcomed; collaborations with non-academic project partners expected where appropriate
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full proposal (by invitation only, for those successful at outline stage)
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ukri-centres-for-doctoral-training-in-artificial-intelligence/
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for UK Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in AI, supporting cohort-based doctoral training across priority areas (science/research, health, environment/energy, agriculture, defence/security, creative industries, responsible AI). Must be led by a UK research organisation with doctoral-awarding powers; businesses may join only as project partners.

## Summary

EPSRC's Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in Artificial Intelligence fund UK universities to deliver cohort-based four-year doctoral training programmes across priority areas such as health, environment, security and responsible AI. The call is led by UK research organisations with doctoral-awarding powers, not individual researchers, and welcomes both single-institution and multi-organisational proposals. Businesses can join as non-academic project partners but cannot lead a bid.

## Who should apply

- UK research organisations with doctoral-awarding powers
- Academic teams proposing cohort-based AI doctoral training
- Single institutions or multi-organisational consortia
- Groups with non-academic project partners in relevant sectors
- Proposals targeting priority areas: health, environment/energy, agriculture, defence/security, creative industries, or responsible AI

## Key dates

- Two-stage process: outline application first, full proposal by invitation only for those successful at outline stage
- Four-year doctoral training programme duration

## Tips for applicants

- Outline stage is the real filter, only invited applicants proceed to full proposal, so treat it as the primary selling point of the bid.
- Position non-academic project partners clearly where relevant; EPSRC expects these collaborations but does not require them in every case.
- Frame the cohort training model, not just individual PhD projects, since CDTs are funded as structured programmes rather than separate studentships.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does an EPSRC CDT in AI run?

Each funded Centre supports a four-year doctoral training programme.

### Who can lead an EPSRC CDT in AI application?

A UK research organisation with doctoral-awarding powers must lead the bid; businesses can only join as project partners.

### Is a consortium required for the EPSRC CDT in AI call?

No, single-institution teams are equally welcomed alongside multi-organisational consortia.

### What is the application process for EPSRC CDTs in AI?

It is a two-stage process: an outline application, followed by a full proposal submitted only by invitation for those successful at outline stage.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-centres-for-doctoral-training-in-artificial-intell-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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