# Doctoral Focal Awards in Data-Intensive Sciences

**Funder:** STFC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Per notional studentship: ~£21,805 stipend + £5,238 fees + £1,000 RTSG + other costs p.a.; £10,000 programme management per DFA per year
**Deadline:** 16 September 2026 (4pm UK time)
**Duration:** 7 years (first cohort October 2027)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage — application via UKRI Funding Service, submitted by research office
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/doctoral-focal-awards-in-data-intensive-sciences/
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to UK research organisations (not STFC facilities as lead). Funds cohort-based doctoral training in data-intensive sciences (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics etc.) with mandatory 6-month industry/public-sector placements. Industrial partner representation on management board required. Single-institution or multi-institution consortium permitted; project lead must host ≥1 student per intake year.

## Summary

The STFC Doctoral Focal Awards fund cohort-based doctoral training programmes in data-intensive sciences (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics) over seven years, covering full student stipends, fees, and research costs plus annual programme management. Eligible applicants are UK research organisations, including single-institution or multi-institution consortia, that commit to mandatory 6-month industry or public-sector placements and maintain an industrial or public-sector partner on the management board. This is a one-off call closing 16 September 2026, with the first cohort starting October 2027.

## Who should apply

- UK research organisations (universities, research institutes) not acting as STFC facilities
- Institutions able to host at least one doctoral student per year across the 7-year duration
- Single institutions or multi-institution consortia with active industry or public-sector partners
- Programmes in astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics, or related data-intensive sciences
- Organisations committed to embedding 6-month placements in industry or public sector within each PhD

## Key dates

- Deadline: 16 September 2026, 4pm UK time
- Single-stage application submitted via UKRI Funding Service by your research office
- First cohort intake: October 2027; programme runs for seven years

## Tips for applicants

- Industrial or public-sector partner must have a seat on your management board; securing a signed letter of commitment early strengthens the application.
- Emphasis is on data skills and sector-ready graduates; structure your curriculum and placement pipeline to reflect training in data analysis, software engineering, or equivalent transferable skills.
- Multi-institution consortia must clearly assign the lead (which must host students) and outline governance; vague leadership structures are a common rejection point in STFC training calls.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does the STFC Doctoral Focal Award funding cover?

The award covers per-student stipends (~£21,805 annually), tuition fees (~£5,238 annually), research training support grants (£1,000 annually), and annual programme management costs (£10,000 per DFA per year).

### Who is eligible to apply for the STFC Doctoral Focal Award?

UK research organisations (universities and research institutes), either as a single institution or as part of a multi-institution consortium, provided they are not STFC-managed facilities acting as the lead.

### Is the 6-month industry placement mandatory in the STFC Doctoral Focal Award?

Yes, all doctoral students funded under this award must undertake a mandatory 6-month placement in industry or the public sector as part of their PhD.

### Can a multi-institution consortium apply for the STFC Doctoral Focal Award?

Yes, multi-institution consortia are permitted, provided the lead institution hosts at least one student per intake year and an industrial or public-sector partner holds a seat on the management board.

### When does the first cohort start for the STFC Doctoral Focal Award?

The first cohort starts in October 2027, with the full programme running for seven years.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/stfc-ukri-doctoral-focal-awards-in-data-intensive-sciences-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.