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Collaborative projects

Collaborative projects were previously known as iCASE projects and pair with an non-academic partner.

Collaborative studentships should be co-created and delivered with the non-academic partner, with the aim of:

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  • Providing students with experience of collaborative research in a non-academic setting

  • Strengthening and developing collaboration and partnerships between research organisations and non‐academic partner organisations

 

Collaborative studentships must meet the following requirements:

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  • There is no longer an expectation that collaborative studentships receive a stipend supplement or additional project costs, nor that the non-academic partner contributes to such costs (as per previous model).
    However, non-academic partners are expected to make a significant cash contribution of no less than 20% and up to a maximum of 50% of the total notional studentship costs. Small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) are exempt from these contributions. The indicative funding per four-year notional studentship, would total £136,898, to cover four years of stipend, fees, RTSG and travel budget.  For non-SME partners this needs to be a cash contribution, not an in-kind contribution. 

  • Non-academic partners must host the student for a minimum of three months during their PhD. This placement does not need to occur in one single continuous period

  • Non-academic partners must provide co-supervision

  • Non-academic partners must meet any costs incurred by the student when visiting and working within their establishment, including the cost of travel and accommodation as appropriate

  • The host research organisation is responsible for agreeing any intellectual property arrangements with the non-academic partner, in line with the MRC Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF).

  • Academic supervisors cannot also act as the partner supervisor. 

 

To be eligible to act as a collaborative studentship partner, non-academic organisations must demonstrate:

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  • They are not eligible for UKRI funding

  • They can provide students with distinctive research training and experience not available in an academic setting

  • If international, they can provide skills training that is not available at a UK-based partner

We require a letter of intent from the partner, clearly stating: 
 

  • If they are an SME. UKRI uses the definition of SME set out in the Gov.UK Company Accounts Guidance (section 12.1). 

  • Their provision of co-supervisors (all partners)

  • Their provision of placement, including covering the student’s travel and accommodation costs (all partners)

  • To cover the company’s costs while the student is working at the premises of the company (all partners) 

  • Financial contribution of between 20% -50% of total notional studentship costs (non-SME partners only).
     

Letters not containing this will be asked to be re-drafted.  Ideally, letters of support are submitted with your project application.  Projects cannot progress to being advertised without a letter of support (end of October at the latest).   

 

Whilst the MRC appreciates that it may sometimes be difficult to ensure the financial stability of a company three or four years hence, at the time of commitment to the studentship, companies should have strong regulatory, supervisory and other policies in place to ensure the continuity of the studentship. Changes during the studentship should be notified to the DLA immediately.  

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