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ELEMENTAL

ELEMENTAL

Summer Research Studentship Funding 2025

Elemental Metal Hub is pleased to offer funding awards to support undergraduate students undertaking research projects aligned with the Hub's strategic priorities during the 2025 summer vacation period.

These funded studentships are designed to foster knowledge exchange, stimulate research and innovation, and cultivate meaningful collaborations with industry partners. Proposed projects must be clearly aligned with the objectives and criteria of the Elemental Metal Hub and should demonstrate potential to strengthen existing industry connections or lay the groundwork for future collaborations. 

Each studentship award provides up to £3,500, which may be used to cover a student stipend and justified research consumables. Projects must run for a minimum of 6 weeks and can extend up to a maximum of 12 weeks. 

Eligibility: This initial round of studentship funding is open to Elemental’s research collaborators: Durham University, University of East Anglia, The University of Manchester, Natural History Museum, Quadram Institute, University of Surrey, UCL, University of York, or University of Kent.   

Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on 28th May 2025. 

Please read all the information on this page carefully and ensure you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions before submitting your application.   

Enquiries about this funding should be made by email to elementalmetalhub@kent.ac.uk  

Studentship application guidelines

  • This initial round of studentship funding is open to Elemental’s research collaborators: Durham University, University of East Anglia, The University of Manchester, Natural History Museum, Quadram Institute, University of Surrey, UCL, University of York, or University of Kent.   
  • Not required but encouraged: Industry partners engaged in activities that align with the BBSRC’s strategic remit. 

 

Eligible Participants 

  • Students, including undergraduates and taught postgraduates, may be compensated to contribute as researchers on short-term projects. 
  • Industry partners are not required but are encouraged. industry partners must be UK-based or have demonstrable relevance to the UK bioeconomy. 
  • Additionally, all individuals named on the application must be registered members of the Elemental Hub.

  • Projects must be short-term (6-12 weeks). 
  • The proposed project must clearly align with the objectives and scope of the BIV scheme, focusing on collaborative innovation, knowledge exchange, or feasibility assessments. 
  • Projects must demonstrate mutual benefit for both academic and industry.  

  • Projects must be clearly aligned with the objectives and criteria of the Elemental Metal Hub and should demonstrate potential to strengthen existing industry connections or lay the groundwork for future collaborations.   
  • The studentships will support a range of collaborative activities including: 
    • Student involvement in industrially-relevant research 
    • Feasibility studies for new innovations 
    • Preliminary data generation 
    • Development of proof-of-concept prototypes 

  • Funding Limit 
    • Typical funding per voucher: up to £3,500. 
    • The exact amount should reflect the scale of the proposed work and be justified in the application. 
  • Eligible Costs 
    • Student research assistants (excluding PhD students during their funded studentship period) 
    • Justified consumables (up to £500) 
    • Travel and subsistence related to collaborative activity 
    • Other (please include details) 
  • Ineligible Costs 
    • Overheads 
    • Equipment purchases 
    • Commercial product development 
    • Activities not clearly aligned with Elemental Metal Hub objectives 

Step 1: Proposal submission 

  • Applicants complete an application form to provide a summary of:
    • Project aims 
    • Academic and industry partners 
    • Start and end date 
    • Project plan and outcomes 
    • Detailed budget and justification 
    • Deadline: 5pm 28th of May 2025.  

Step 2: Review and Approval 

  • This grant scheme is competitive, and we receive a high number of applications. As we have limited funding, not all applications can be funded. The decision of the Award Panel is final. 
  • An internal panel reviews applications based on: 
    • The project is clearly defined, technically feasible, and achievable within the proposed timeframe. 
    • Strategic alignment 
    • Value for money 
    • Mutual benefit 
  • Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome of their application within three weeks of the closing date. 

Step 3: Fund Transfer 

  • A formal offer letter (including award Terms and Conditions) will be issued to the successful applicant.  
  • A final expenditure claim, and short report must be submitted within one month of the studentship ending. Funds will not be released until the expenditure claim and report are submitted.   
  • Funds (100% direct costs only) will be transferred from the University of Kent to the awardee. 

  • No retrospective funding. 
  • No funding for commercial product development. 
  • PhD students may not be paid during their registered studentship period. 
  • Projects must not duplicate existing funded activities. 
  • Only short-term (6-12 weeks), clearly scoped collaborations are permitted. 

  • Summer Research Studentship Funding competition closes 28th May 2025 
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 18th June 2025
  • Projects must start by 14th July 2025 
  • Projects must end by 26th September 2025 
  • The maximum project duration is 12 weeks.