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The prestigious and valuable 2021 AHRC funded Northern Bridge Consortium PhD Scholarship Competition has now launched.

The Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NBCDTP) is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It brings together the cutting-edge expertise and exceptional resources of Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Queen’s University Belfast, Sunderland University, Teesside University and Ulster University and their strategic partners.

The NBCDTP runs an annual competition to select the best doctoral candidates and provide a comprehensive and attractive package of financial support over the duration of study, which includes payment of tuition fees, a maintenance award (currently £15,009 per annum), training and support for placements.

Information Events

NBCDTP 2021 Applicant Masterclasses (organised by Newcastle University)

This year the Masterclasses will be online for  all potential applicants and supervisors, taking place in the week of 9 November 2020. If you  wish to attend, please see this link for details and book a place Masterclass for Applicants.

Subject Areas

NBC DTP can fund all arts and Humanities subjects including

  • Cultural and Museum Studies
  • Design
  • Drama and Theatre Studies
  • History
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Languages and Literature
  • Law and Legal Studies
  • Library and Information Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Music
  • Political Science and International Studies
  • Visual Arts.

A full list can be found on the Northern Bridge website

Potential applications for the Standard PhD Award should register their interest with the NBC DTP Academic Director (via the Local NBCDTP Administrator) before making an application. This should be done before the end of November 2020.

Stage 1 – Postgraduate Application (Online) – from now up to 13th January 2021

  • Applicants should make an online application at this link - Online Application to Ulster University. All Ulster University Applicants should insert NBC21 in response to the question “If you will be self-funded or are in receipt of a private scholarship then please provide further information here” on the Funding Details section of the online application.
  • See pages 3 to 5 of the competition guidance at this link - Competition Guidance 2020/21.
  • Currently registered, eligible, postgraduate research students should make their schools/departments aware they would like to considered for an award.
  • It is vital that applicants to the Standard PhD route consult the relevant Research Director or Subject Area Lead at the earliest opportunity so that the expertise and capacity to supervise the proposed research can be identified, and to ensure that the applicant will be fully supported throughout the competition process. Academics may not be able to as fully assist with drafts from applicants who contact them from mid/late December onwards due to holiday.

The deadline for the submission of postgraduate applications to Ulster (Inc. from current PhD Researchers) is by 4pm on Wednesday 13th January 2021

Stage 2 - Shortlisting and Student Nomination - from 14th January to 17th February 2021

  • The strongest nominees will be selected on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications, research proposal, relevant experience and references.
  • See pages 5 to 9  of the guidance at this link - Competition Guidance 2020/21
  • Successful nominees will be invited to liaise with the appropriate members of staff to complete the Studentship Nomination Form.
  • There is no interview for the standard route NBC AHRC competition.

The deadline for the submission of Nomination Forms to the NBCDTP is by 4pm on Wednesday 17 February 2021