Sponsoring a PhD Studentship
The CDT provides exciting opportunities for organisations to work with Queen Mary's world-leading academics by sponsoring a PhD studentship. All PhD students will conduct an individual 4-year PhD research project as an integral part of their training programme. By sponsoring a studentship, organisations are able to shape the collaborative R&D project and provide additional bespoke training tailored to meet the needs of your organisation.
There are three primary funding options based on IPR that the sponsoring organisation wishes to access (Bands A-C). For 2025 entry, the price to sponsor for the 4 year studentship ranges from approximately £50k to £140k + additional consumables top-up.
Download PhD Project Proposal Form »
Process for sponsoring a COacT PhD studentship
- Identify Project Team
If you already have links with an academic who is part of the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models (see staff details here), you may contact them directly and progress to next stage. If you are still uncertain about academic supervisors, contact Prof Thomas Iskratsch (Director of Partnerships) to discuss your possible PhD project and identify the supervisor team. - Complete a CDA
Download the Queen Mary CDA here or send company's own template to our Business Development team for the attention of Dr Joanne Chamberlain (j.chamberlain@qmul.ac.uk) or Dr Jemma Trick (j.trick@qmul.ac.uk). - Develop Project Proposal with QM supervisors and confirm funding/IP level
Contact the Business development team for details (Dr Joanne Chamberlain j.chamberlain@qmul.ac.uk or Dr Jemma Trick j.trick@qmul.ac.uk). Please include additional project consumables funding since the basic price covers just £5k/yr. - QM supervisors submit a COaCT PhD project proposal form (Download here)
Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis by the leadership team - CDT leadership team assess suitability of the project
This will based on factors including the quality of the project, level of industrial support, fit to EPSRC CDT remit, suitability of supervisory team, and consideration of EDI. - CDT leadership set up internal costings (Worktribe) and notify QM supervisors
- QM supervisors engage with Business Development team to obtain contracts
Template studentship agreements will be provided. The QM Business Development team will formalise and negotiate the project contract - Dr Joanne Chamberlain (j.chamberlain@qmul.ac.uk) or Dr Jemma Trick (j.trick@qmul.ac.uk). Note that there are two parts to each agreement: the main agreement to be signed as soon as there is an industry partner commitment to fund a studentship; and Schedule 1 with the project details to be signed once the student has been recruited. - CDT Leadership decide which projects to advertise
Deadline for completed projects TBC - Studentships Advertised with a single application portal
Students will be able to select up to 3 PhD projects - Deadline for PhD applications - end January
- Shortlisting, interviews and student selection
Interviews will be held together over several days - Student cohort starts together in October
Pricing and IP arrangements
With core funding from EPSRC we are able to offer organisations competitive rates for sponsoring a CDT PhD studentship. The price for sponsoring a PhD studentship is based on IP arrangements - please contact Prof Iskratsch for further information (CPM staff may access the pricing structure here). Organisation are expected to normally provide a 1-3 month placement and additional consumables funding depending on the nature of the project.
Please contact for further information: