CASE studentships

The Science and Technology Facilities Council CASE studentships scheme provides support for research students working for a PhD in collaboration with an industrial partner. CASE studentships provide for training of a research student on a project which involves the joint supervision of the student by a member of staff at an academic institution and an employee of a UK industrial firm or an organisation in the public service (the ‘co-operating body’). Institutes and units of Research Councils can act as the co-operating body on condition that they are not eligible to act as an academic partner. UK subsidiaries of foreign firms may be eligible to participate.

During the period of the award, the student is required to spend a period on the premises of the co-operating body. For a 3.5 year award, the cumulative period should be no less than 9 months.

The co-operating body is required to make a financial contribution to both the student and the project. It must include:

• An annual contribution to the academic research organisation towards the cost of the project of £1,550.00;
• All additional expenses, such as the cost of travel and accommodation incurred as a direct result of attendance at the premises of the co-operating body;
• A minimum annual contribution to the student of £2,760.

Co-operating bodies are required to take part in recruitment and monitoring of the student and to maintain active contact with the student and academic supervisor throughout the period of the studentship.

CASE-Plus Studentships

CASE-Plus extends the CASE scheme to help students become more effective in promoting technology transfer, should their chosen career path take them into either academic research or industry. For the first 3.5 years of the award, CASE-Plus operates in the same way as the CASE scheme. The main difference is that the student spends a final year working full-time on the premises of the co-operating body as an employee. The Science and Technology Facilities Council will contribute 50% of the salary costs incurred by the co-operating body (up to a maximum STFC contribution of £14,250). Entry into the last year is dependent on the student demonstrating a level of achievement agreed in advance between the sponsor, the Research Organisation and the student. STFC will not commence funding for the additional year until the PhD thesis has been submitted.

CASE and CASE-Plus Applications

Proposals may be submitted up to the closing date of 31 October 2010 for awards to start in October 2011. Proposals should be submitted by a supervisor from an eligible Research Organisation through the Research Council Je-S system (link opens in a new window). The Industrial Partner must be a UK industrial firm or an organisation in the public sector.

Applications must also be supported by outline plans for supervision and monitoring. A statement of research, training and knowledge transfer objectives to cover the needs of all three parties should also be provided.

Proposals are assessed on the following criteria:

• Scientific quality and value of the project;
• Educational value to the student;
• Novelty of the idea;
• Strength of the industrial collaboration;
• Impact on wealth creation and quality of life;

A formal collaborative agreement should be signed between the academic institution and co-operating body agreeing to the terms of the scheme.

Further information can be found in the STFC Studentship Rules and Regulations, or you may contact studentships@stfc.ac.uk.