ESRC has launched the Doctoral Focal Award Plus: innovating in data-driven research call (previously CDTs) through which they will fund one award. A total budget of £5.85m will be available to support 3 cohorts of up to 8 students each cohort, with students expected to start in October 2027. In addition to supporting doctoral training, a doctoral focal award plus typically provides training and capacity building opportunities for researchers at other career stages. The types of activities supported will vary and are informed by the strategic needs in the theme and challenge area being targeted.
Institutions may only apply as the project lead on one application and therefore an internal selection process has been established to identify the single College-endorsed proposal. Those interested in applying to this opportunity are invited to submit a 2-page outline using the attached template for internal consideration. This template mirrors the ESRC application questions, in an effort to minimise duplicated effort. Completed forms must be submitted to researchstrategy@imperial.ac.uk before noon Thursday 27th August. All outlines will be reviewed by an internal Selection Panel (Chair, Professor Mary Ryan) against the ESRC assessment criteria (see under ‘Assessment areas’). Selection Panel decisions are expected to be announced w/c Monday 7th September 2026, ahead of the ESRC deadline on 14th October 2026.
Outline template
Use the template below to express an interest in applying as the project lead on an application to the ESRC DFA Plus: Innovating in Data-Driven Research funding opportunity. Completed forms should be returned to researchstrategy@imperial.ac.uk (attention Suzanne Husein) by noon Thursday 27th August.
An Internal Selection Panel will review all submissions and provide recommendations to the Research Advisory Group and Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise). The review will consider the following areas: (1) vision, (2) approach, (3) capability to deliver, (4) governance and (5) project partners.
Outlines must be no longer than two pages. Guidance notes and table formatting may be removed to maximise space however text should remain in Calibri 11-point font or a similar to maintain readability.
| Project Lead | The person responsible for the intellectual leadership and overall management of the project. Only list one individual as project lead |
| Other team members | List any other key members of the team, where known, including project co-lead, specialist, grant manager, professional enabling staff, research and innovation associate, technician |
| Proposed DFA name | |
| Host department | |
| Vision: The DFA will need a clear strategic and training vision What will this training investment achieve? How will this support UK capability and capacity needs, and why is it important that UKRI support this activity? | |
| Approach How will the training programme support your vision and align with UKRI’s ambitions for its investments? | |
| Capability to deliver Who will lead and drive delivery of this application’s vision? | |
| Partnerships and governance How will you manage the award to successfully deliver its objectives? | |
| Project partners Add details about any project partners’ contributions, including any anticipated commitments and those that you may be exploring but are not yet confirmed. There is no expectation that project partners’ contributions will be agreed at this early stage | |