Community Studentships
The EPSRC CDT in Fusion Power is keen to work with other university fusion partners via the “community studentship” scheme. This scheme provides half studentships funded by the Fusion Power for PhD projects that are not based at one of the existing six Fusion Power universities (York, Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford & Sheffield). The proposed supervisor must identify funding for the other half of the studentship; typically this would come from their university but could also come from an industry partner. For September 2026 entry, this cost is unlikely to exceed £70,000; the exact amount depends on the details of the project. This matched funding cannot be part of the industry match that was committed in the Fusion Power bid to EPSRC. The scope of the research project must be either materials science or plasma physics. The primary application of the research project must be fusion energy.
We are currently accepting applications to this scheme for September 2026 entry. The initial deadline for applications is 30 November 2025; thereafter applications will be considered in the order in which they are received.
In order to apply, PhD supervisor should complete the form at PhD Project Description template Fusion CDT 2026 entry FV and return it to fusion–cdt-admissions@york.
PhD projects that are awarded Community Studentship funding will be advertised on the Projects page of the website. The supervisor offering the project should consider PhD applications from any eligible candidates (the PhD cannot be ring fenced for a previously identified student).