The Doctoral Focal Awards in Data-Intensive Sciences, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), support doctoral training in managing, exploiting, and analysing large, complex datasets. This funding opportunity builds on STFC’s previous investment and provides students with skills and training for careers in academia or industry.

Overview

STFC is offering up to £10,500,000 in total, with a maximum award of £2,100,000 per application. The programme is harmonised under the UK Research and Innovation Doctoral Focal Awards scheme. Awards will last seven years, with the first cohort expected to begin in October 2027. Projects must start by 1 October 2027.

Funding and Benefits

STFC will fund at 100% for doctoral focal awards. Payment will be on a notional studentship basis. Indicative estimates per notional studentship per annum include:

• Stipend: £21,805
• Fees: £5,238
• Research Training Support Grant: £1,000
• Conference costs: £230
• Fieldwork costs: PNPE @ £2,660
• Programme management: £10,000 per DFA per year

Stipend and fees will be indexed to accommodate rises in UKRI minima over the award lifetime. London allowance will be added where eligible. The award does not cover project lead, co-lead or grant manager salaries, or project partner expenses. There is no requirement for institutional match funding.

Eligibility

Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for STFC funding. Research organisations can apply as project lead on only one submitted application but may serve as project co-lead or project partner on multiple applications. The project lead organisation will host at least five students per cohort over four years and act as the training grant holder. At least one student per year must be hosted at the project lead organisation.

Single-institution and multi-institution consortia are permitted. STFC facilities cannot host a centre but may collaborate as partners. Industrial partners must partner with an eligible UK research organisation; they cannot host a centre. Project partners may include industry, business, STFC facilities, SMEs, public organisations, third-sector organisations, museums, and public sector research establishments (PSREs). Organisations eligible for UKRI funding that do not host students may act as project partners. An organisation cannot be both a hosting partner and a project partner in the same application.

Applications must demonstrate significant added value from project partners, such as placements, training, access to facilities, or financial commitments. There is no limit on the number of partner organisations, but each must make meaningful contributions.

Research Areas and Activities

STFC will support doctoral focal awards in data-intensive sciences, defined as managing, exploiting, visualising, analysing, and interpreting large, complex datasets and high-rate data flows to develop novel methodologies, techniques, tools, and technologies. Students will undertake original research that brings together data skills from STFC’s remit (astronomy, accelerator physics, solar and planetary science, particle physics, particle astrophysics and cosmology, or nuclear physics) and applies them to a different sector or industrial context.

The programme requires a structured cohort-based training programme, particularly in the first year, including formal taught coursework in computational techniques. Each student must spend at least six months outside the centre in private, public, or third-sector organisations engaged in data-intensive sciences. Placements may be in one block or split into shorter periods (minimum three months each). Training should also cover careers guidance, professional skills, commercialisation, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), mental health awareness, and trusted research and innovation principles.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service (not the Je-S system). The project lead is responsible for completing the application. Only the lead research organisation can submit. The application includes sections on vision, approach, positive culture and environment, capability to deliver, partnerships and governance, costs, ethics and responsible research and innovation, project partners, data management, and trusted research and innovation.

No demand management is currently applied, but UKRI may introduce limits if needed. Applications will be checked for eligibility; no sifting will take place. An expert interview panel will interview applicants, with interviews expected in November 2026. STFC reserves the right to use panel recommendations to create a balanced portfolio. Generative AI may be used in preparing applications but not in expert review.

Deadline and Timeline

• Opening date: 30 June 2026, 9:00am UK time
• Webinar for applicants: 7 July 2026, 10:30am–11:30am UK time (register via the link on the opportunity page)
• Closing date: 16 September 2026, 4:00pm UK time
• Interviews: Expected in November 2026
• First cohort start: October 2027

Contact Information

For questions about this funding opportunity, email kegroup@stfc.ac.uk. For system or submission queries, contact the UKRI Funding Service helpdesk:

• Email: support@funding-service.ukri.org
• Phone: 01793 547490 (Monday–Thursday 8:30am–5:00pm, Friday 8:30am–4:30pm)

Applicants should first contact their research office for help with costings and writing. When emailing, include the council and opportunity name in the subject line and the application reference number if available.