SENSS Collaborative Supervisor-Led Studentships 2027: Apply for Up to 8 Funded PhD Projects in the UK through the South and East Network for Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership. The competition offers up to eight fully funded PhD studentships beginning in October 2027.
Background & Studentship Description
The South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) has opened its Collaborative Supervisor-Led Competition for research projects leading to funded PhD studentships starting in October 2027.
SENSS is ring-fencing up to eight studentships for this competition. The awards will be fully funded for approximately 3.5 to 4.5 years, depending on the successful student’s training needs.
The competition is designed for academic supervisors who develop a research proposal together with a non-university collaborative partner.
Tasks
The primary supervisor is expected to:
- Develop a strong research question and proposal.
- Identify and work with a collaborative partner.
- Establish an appropriate supervisory team.
- Develop the research project and student training plan.
- Provide a letter of support from the collaborative partner.
- Prepare a draft student advertisement and marketing plan if successful.
Collaborative partners may include businesses, government bodies or third-sector organisations and can be based in the UK or overseas.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
The competition is aimed at eligible supervisors based at SENSS partner universities and working within the relevant SENSS research themes.
Experience
Applicants should be able to lead a suitable doctoral research project and demonstrate an appropriate research and supervisory environment. The proposal will be assessed on the quality of the research, collaboration, suitability for a studentship and quality of training offered.
Projects must primarily fall within one of SENSS’s six interdisciplinary themes:
- Advanced Methods for Social and Economic Research
- Digital Social Sciences
- Health, Well-Being and Social Care
- Justice, Institutions and Social Change
- Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
- Sustainability and Climate Emergency
Additional Information
The supervisor application deadline is 12:00 noon on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Successful proposals are expected to be announced by November 20, 2026. The resulting PhD studentships are scheduled to be advertised from December 8, 2026, with the student application deadline currently set for February 8, 2027.
The SENSS partner universities include City St George’s, Cranfield University, the University of East Anglia, the University of Essex, Goldsmiths, the University of Lincoln, Middlesex University and the University of Roehampton.
Importantly, students cannot apply for the current supervisor phase directly. Students will apply once the successful collaborative projects are advertised.
How to Apply
Eligible supervisors should submit their research project proposal through the SENSS HEIApply platform before the September 28, 2026 deadline.
Prospective PhD applicants should monitor the SENSS website for the individual collaborative projects that will be advertised from December 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the SENSS Collaborative Studentships fully funded?
Yes. The official 2026 call states that up to eight studentships will be fully funded for between 3.5 and 4.5 years, depending on individual training needs.
Can students apply for the current competition?
No. The current competition is the supervisor phase. Students will apply later to individual projects selected through the competition.
When will the PhD studentships start?
The studentships are scheduled to begin in October 2027.
Who can be a collaborative partner?
A collaborative partner can be a business, government organisation or third-sector organisation outside higher education. Partners must contribute financially or in kind to the project.
How many universities are part of SENSS?
SENSS currently has eight partner universities across its network.
Final Thoughts
The SENSS Collaborative Supervisor-Led Studentships provide an opportunity for eligible academics to develop research projects with external organisations and potentially create fully funded doctoral opportunities for researchers starting in 2027.
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