Department Funding Opportunities

Funded studentships within the department are listed here when available. We encourage all potential applicants to liaise with their intended supervisory team to identify and submit for relevant internal or external funding.

PhD Studentship Competition 2024/2025

Sport / Exercise / Physical activity and Society

Are you interested in doing a PhD in Social Sciences that relates to Sport, Exercise or Physical Activity?

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is delighted to invite high quality applications to be considered for entry into the prestigious NINE DTP scholarship competition Prospective Students - NINE DTP. We are supporting up to 4 applications to the Sport and Society pathway of this competition.

A NINE DTP studentship provides a significant number of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Tuition fees paid and/or waived for the full duration of the period of study. This includes all fees for those candidates who need to undertake a Masters course, or a six-month research methods course prior to commencing their PhD.
• Tax-free stipend, set at £19,237 per year in 2024-25.
• Support to develop research skills
• Opportunities to apply for funding to undertake research.
• Funding for fieldwork (overseas / UK) and can fund attendance / participation in conferences and research events. Funding can also be sought to purchase equipment and books, where appropriate.
• Opportunities to work with partners and external organisations.
• Access to the RCUK Policy Internship Scheme, and our own NINE DTP Placement Scheme.
• Opportunities to apply for funding to support Overseas Institutional Visits,
• An ESRC studentship is an internationally recognised mark of excellence, proving that the student has met the exceedingly high standards required to receive funding.

Working in accordance with the rigorous standards of the ESRC, NINE DTP students will benefit from exceptional supervision.

We welcome proposals that demonstrate alignment with the research expertise of our academic staff (People - Durham University) and our research themes (Research Themes - Durham University). Much of our research focusses on addressing inequalities and promoting social justice.

The Department: We were ranked 10^th (grade point average) in the 2021 UK Research Excellence Framework. Further information can be found here: Sport and Exercise Sciences - Durham University

The University: We are a world leading university. Further information can be found here: Durham University

How to apply:

1. In the first instance, candidates should familiarise themselves with the full guidelines for the NINE DTP competition: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/the-application-process/
2. Review the research expertise of staff within the Department and identify a potential supervisor that aligns with your own research plans. You are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly for an initial discussion.
3. Submit a 2000-word research proposal and CV (2 pages) to ses.postgraduate@durham.ac.uk by 1600hrs on 10^th December 2024. Your proposed supervisor should be included in the email and the proposal. [Note that this initial deadline is earlier than that shown on the NINE STP website (20^th January 2025) to allow for proposals to be shortlisted by the Department and for supervisors to support those selected to progress to the next stage of the competition.]

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact either the Department’s Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Carolyn Summerbell - Durham University or their potential supervisor (People - Durham University) for an informal discussion.