Partnership projects submitted to the SGSAH AHRC DTP competition at any stage of that process cannot be submitted to the ARCS scheme in the same year. We are unable to accept revised projects. Please confirm that the project proposal was not submitted in any form to the SGSAH AHRC DTP competition this year.

ARCS are supported by the Scottish Funding Council, which is meeting 50% of the costs of each 3½ year studentship, this includes fees (at UK rate) and a stipend at UKRI rate (approx. £15,500). The remaining 50% of costs will be met by the HEI(s). We expect to make between 3-5 ARCS awards each year, with all funding awarded by 2023.

The non-academic partner contribution is £500 per annum. This is used by SGSAH to support additional travel and accommodation costs which might be incurred by the doctoral researcher. In-kind support is also expected – for example, in addition to supervisory expertise and project management, the provision of a desk space, access to appropriate resources including email, formal mentoring, tailored training opportunities, etc.

ARCS are doctoral projects designed and supervised by at least two SGSAH Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and at least one other non-academic partner. At least one of the HEIs must be from outside of the SGSAH AHRC DTP consortium (i.e. Abertay, Heriot-Watt, Napier, Queen Margaret University, Robert Gordon and University of West of Scotland).

Please note that each HEI may only apply for a maximum of two studentships where they are lead HEI.

Any HEI that is a member of the SGSAH is eligible to submit an application with at least one academic member organisation of the SGSAH and at least one other external partner.

Partner organisations must be located in Scotland or have operations of some kind in Scotland.  They can be any size and from the public, private or voluntary sectors but must have sufficient capacity to be able to support a doctoral researcher for the duration of their programme of study and the placement experience must be meaningful and valuable.

Partnerships may be with any organisation and priority will not be given to particular types or sectors.

Whilst studentships are principally based within the academic partner institution, there is a mandatory placement, which must be relevant to the research project, at the non-academic partner for a minimum of six months and up to 18 months.

All other arrangements for supervision, and the split of stipendiary and fee support between partner HEIs, are matters for each partnership to determine. The lead institution will be responsible for ensuring that the agreed supervision plan for the project is adhered to and that appropriate monitoring and progress meetings and reports are taking place. 

EU and international students may take up an ARCS studentship and are eligible for the full stipend. SFC’s maximum contribution to fees will be 50% of the home/EU rate only, i.e. partnerships would have to make up the difference in international fees.

ARCS are awarded to HEIs and their partners, not to students. SGSAH will co-ordinate a joint advertisement for the studentships; in addition, successful applicants will need to agree and implement a recruitment campaign and process that is fair and transparent. It is the responsibility of the HEIs and partners to recruit an excellent student to the project. The successful student must meet the requirements for the PhD programme of study at the lead HEI prior to being awarded the studentship. SGSAH will need to confirm that the proposed candidate meets the qualifications criteria prior to the appointment being confirmed. (Normally, a doctoral candidate will hold at least a 2:1 UG degree in a relevant subject and will have finished or be on course to finish a Masters degree in a relevant subject. Where a candidate does not have a Masters degree and is not on course to complete one, they may have equivalent relevant professional experience.) 

Where a student has been actively involved in developing the application for an ARCS, they may be attached to the application. They should complete the Student Details section of the form and include a 3-page CV.

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