Administrative Data Research (ADR) UK is inviting applications from Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) to host a cohort of PhD studentships using ADR UK linked administrative data.

This funding opportunity is for PhD Supervisors to propose projects. Individual students may not apply. The successful projects will be announced in January 2027 and, following recruitment, the PhD student cohort will start in October 2027.

ADR UK is offering funding for up to 30 PhD studentships (1+3.5, 3.5, or 4.5-year structures depending on pathway) that will offer the chance to address priority policy questions using ADR UK’s growing portfolio of flagship datasets spanning education, justice, employment, health, and more. Every studentship application must propose the use of at least one existing ADR UK flagship dataset: Flagship datasets – ADR UK

Further information, including the Call Specification, Applicant Guidance and Application Form (Form B) can be found on the ADR UK website here: https://www.adruk.org/news-publications/news-blogs/funding-opportunity-adr-uk-phd-studentships/ Form A will be for the NWSSDTP to complete.

Applications have now closed for this call

Interested supervisors were invited to submit a copy of Form B to the NWSSDTP by the 15^th July. The NWSSDTP is now assessing all applications received and up to five shortlisted projects will be shortlisted to be submitted to ADR UK by the 15^th September. ADR UK will then select the final projects for funding.

Find out more about ADR UK

Read more about the available ADR UK flagship linked administrative datasets from across all four UK nations with information about the data, including the types of questions it could answer and the breadth of related relevant topics. The Learning Hub also provides explainer videos, training information, synthetic data resources, and user networks to connect with existing data users.

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Please contact ADRStudentships@esrc.ukri.org for any queries or to request a meeting to introduce you to ADR UK.