A substantial investment in doctoral training has been announced, with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) allocating funding to 65 Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs). These centers will drive leading-edge research in key national areas such as net zero, artificial intelligence, defense and security, healthcare, and quantum technologies. The £1 billion in funding, contributed by the government, universities, and industry, marks the UK’s largest-ever investment in engineering and physical sciences doctoral skills.
The University of Cambridge will spearhead two CDTs and participate as a partner in five others. This funding will support approximately 150 PhD students from Cambridge over the next five years.
One of the CDTs, led by Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa from the Department of Engineering, focuses on Future Infrastructure and Built Environment: Unlocking Net Zero (FIBE3 CDT). This collaboration between Cambridge, over 30 industry partners, and eight international academic partners aims to address the infrastructure sector’s role in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The FIBE3 CDT will offer over 70 fully funded studentships in the next five years, supported by £8.1 million from EPSRC, £1.3 million from the University, and over £2.5 million from industry, along with over £8.9 million in in-kind contributions. Recruitment for the first FIBE3 CDT cohort is underway for an October start.
Another CDT, led by Professor Clemens Kaminski from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, focuses on Sensor Technologies and Applications in an Uncertain World. This program emphasizes comprehensive expertise in sensor technology, systems thinking, responsible research and innovation, co-creation, and cohort learning.
Additionally, the University is a partner in several other CDTs, including those focusing on 2D materials, materials innovation, superconductivity, aerosol science, and photonic and electronic systems.
According to Michelle Donelan, Secretary for Science and Technology, investing in ambitious UK talent across critical technologies is essential for driving new discoveries, creating jobs, and growing the economy. Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair of EPSRC, emphasizes that these CDTs will prepare the next generation of researchers, specialists, and industry experts, addressing large-scale challenges and benefiting society and the economy.
Over the next nine years, more than 4,000 doctoral students will undergo training, building on EPSRC’s longstanding support for doctoral education. The total investment in CDTs includes contributions from EPSRC, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Ministry of Defense, UK universities, and business partners, totaling over £1.2 billion. This investment also includes an additional £135 million for CDTs starting in 2025.
