1. NINE DTP Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership
Academic Director: Professor Jannette Elwood, School of SSESW
28 November 2016

2. Overview What is NINE? Key Objectives Subjects covered Eligibility
Studentship Competition
The Application Process
Maximising your chances of success – proposal writing
What we are looking for
Key deadlines

3. NINE
One of 14 ESRC funded Doctoral Training Partnerships – PGR scholarships and training in social sciences
careers/studentships/postgraduate-strategy/doctoral-training- partnerships/
7 partners – QUB and University of Newcastle, Durham University, Ulster University, University of Northumbria, University of Sunderland and Teesside University
50 fully-funded PG awards commencing Oct 2017/18 and running for 6 years
Collaboration with non academic partners – internships etc.

4. Key Objectives
Promote and support, by any means, high-quality research and related postgraduate training on social and economic issues
Prepare award-holders to undertake world-leading research
Enhance skills and employability
Address recognized national skills shortages
Prepare award-holders to be future leaders
Raise the profile of Social Sciences research within our universities and outside them (in our cities, regions, the UK and internationally)

5. Benefits…
Training and development with students and staff at the other universities
Access to resources and expertise across all institutions
Cross-institutional supervision
Opportunity to apply for funds to:
Support wide range of training
Overseas fieldwork
Student initiatives
Support students to engage in collaborative research initiatives with peers and staff (conferences, workshops, training)
Opportunity for internships and placements

6. QUB Training Pathways QUB Training Pathways in NINEDTP NU DU UU UNN SUTU
Anthropology
Economic and Social History
Education
Environmental Planning
Human Geography
Language based Area Studies
Law
Linguistics
Management, Business and Economics
Politics and International Relations
Psychology
Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Thematic Pathways
Children, Youth and Families
Conflict, Security and Justice
Health, Well-Being and Society
Media and Society

7. NINE DTP’s studentships are available to all Home and EU-based candidates, in line with the ESRC student eligibility criteria
Successful candidates from other EU countries who have not been resident in the UK for three (3) years prior to the commencement of their studentship are not eligible for the ESRC-funded maintenance
Candidates who hold a doctoral degree, hold an award from or are financially supported by another organisation, or who have undertaken more than one year full-time PhD study, or part-time equivalent, will not be eligible for an award.
Eligibility

8. Studentship Competition
Open competition
Offers full tuition fee waiver
Tax free maintenance grant
Access to research training support funding
Types of studentship
+3 years for students who have completed a masters
1+3 years for students who have not yet completed a masters
+3.5 years for students who have completed a masters but lack the required core social science research methods training

9. Application Process You can only apply to ONE institution
Applications via DAP – code NINE17
Candidates must submit;
CV (2 sides)
Research proposal – 2000 words
2 references (not potential supervisor)
Full academic transcripts

10. Application Process Continued
Nomination
Pathway panel
If your application is deemed to be sufficiently strong, you will be nominated by the Pathway Subject/Thematic Area at the university to which you have applied for formal consideration by NINE.
If you are nominated, a Nomination Form will be sent to you for completion.

11. Maximising your chances of success
Time management – give yourself plenty of time
Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the application procedure
Speak to Pathway Leads within your institution as soon as possible
Maintain contact throughout with your prospective supervisors
Sketch out your research proposal early to allow time for refinement and revision

12. Maximising your chances of success
Proposal Writing – 2,000 words max. (excluding references) – 6 steps
Title
Step 1
the title should be concise and descriptive
Step 2 Introduction
A description of the research problem (background / context, aims and objectives) 
Literature Review
Step 3
A review of literature relevant to the research problem (theoretical or conceptual framework)

13. Maximising your chances of success
Proposal Writing Continued…
Research Questions
Step 4
Key Research questions arising from the literature review
Research Methods
Step 5
A description of the proposed research methodology (qualitative, quantitative etc.)
Step 6 Timetable
A step by step guide to the stages of the research over the time period

14. What we are looking for
An excellent academic track record: a first or high upper second first degree, and performance at or around distinction level in a masters qualification.
An excellent research proposal that addresses:
clearly-articulated research questions, issues or problems,
set in a clear context of other research in that area
using appropriate research methods and/or approaches
articulated in terms that are accessible to non-specialists
A professional approach to all aspects of the completion and presentation of your application.

15. Key Dates Competition Launch: 9 November 2016
Competition Closes: 16 January PM (anything later than this will not be considered)
Review of nominations by Schools and Pathway Teams: 31 Jan – 17 Feb 2017
Submission of final nominations to DTP: 20 Feb 2017
Announcement of successful candidates: 22 March 2017

16. Key Contacts NINE Academic Director QUB
Professor Jannette Elwood
NINE Administrative Coordinator
Lynda Mahon