Click on the links below to download the guidance documents and application form templates in Word or PDF format.

SGSAH AHRC DTP Full Guidance 2025 (Word Document, 713 KB)

SGSAH AHRC DTP Full Guidance 2025 PDF (PDF, 2.1MB)

SGSAH AHRC DTP Nomination Application Form Template 2025 (Word Document, 45 KB)

SGSAH AHRC DTP Nomination Application Form Template 2025 PDF (PDF, 201 KB)

SGSAH AHRC DTP Institutional Statement for Nominated Applicants 2025 (Word Document, 41 KB)

SGSAH AHRC DTP Institutional Statement for Nominated Applicants 2025 PDF (PDF, 332 KB)

AHRC Open Scholarships Reviewer Feedback 2024 (PDF Document, 55.5KB) 

CDA Competition Application Guidance 2025 (Word Document, 2.6 MB)

CDA Competition Application Guidance 2025 PDF (PDF, 922 KB)

CDA Application Form 2025 (Word Document, 35 KB)

CDA Application Form 2025 PDF (PDF, 260 KB)

CDA Nominated Candidate Form 2025 (Word Document, 37KB)

CDA Nominated Candidate Form 2025 PDF (PDF, 204 KB)

Read the guidance document (available to download via the links above) thoroughly before applying. You should then contact your chosen institution(s) as soon as possible to find out how they are selecting proposals for nomination, and their internal deadlines for applications. Note that internal deadlines are likely to be much earlier than SGSAH’s deadline. 

SGSAH operates an electronic application system which will be open from 9am GMT on 3 February 2025 until 12 noon GMT on 14th February 2025. The guidance includes a template for the information you will be required to complete online.

The online process involves:

• Inputting information onto our electronic form. See the guidance document for details.
• Uploading one single PDF of your academic transcripts.
• Uploading the PDF Institutional Statement that will be provided by your nominating HEI.
• Uploading confirmation of your offer of a place from your lead-HEI.

It is the student applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they have all the necessary documents ready to upload to the online application system.

Late applications will only be considered where there is evidenced breakdown in SGSAH’s operational systems and where such systemic failures have made submission by the deadline impossible. Please note that we will not accept late applications where there has been systemic failure at the applicant’s end (e.g. failure of internet connection). For this reason, we strongly advise applicants to complete the application process at least 48 hours in advance of the deadline.

To be eligible you will need to have been accepted on a PhD programme and nominated by one of our Doctoral Training Partnership members. You should contact your chosen institution(s) as soon as possible to find out how they are selecting proposals for nomination, and their internal deadlines for applications. Note that internal deadlines are likely to be much earlier than SGSAH’s deadline. 

• Glasgow School of Art
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Dundee
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of St Andrews
• University of Stirling
• University of Strathclyde
• University of the Highlands and Islands

It is expected that you will be supervised by the best possible team. So, whilst you can only be nominated by one HEI, you could be supervised by a team from two or three HEIs from across our membership. You should discuss this with your proposed supervisor at your chosen nominating HEI.

To be eligible to apply you must also be prepared to live within a reasonable distance of the lead HEI. We define a reasonable distance as follows: a student ought if necessary to be able to travel to the University every day to work core hours (10am to 4pm).

The AHRC expects that applicants to PhD programmes will normally hold, or be studying towards, a Masters qualification. If you are not in this position you may be able to use relevant professional experience to provide evidence of your ability to undertake independent research. 

From the academic year 2021/22, the AHRC via SGSAH is offering awards to PhD researchers from the world (UK, the EU and International). All funded PhD students, whether UK or International will be eligible for a full award – both a stipend to support living costs, and fees at the HEIs’ UK rate.  

To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:  

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or  
• Have settled status, or  
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or  
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter  

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. 

UK National Residency Requirements:

A UK national may have spent an extended period living outside the UK, either for study or employment and still be eligible for home fee status. Candidates in these circumstances are required to show that they have maintained a relevant connection with their home country and therefore claim that the absence was temporary. ‘Temporary’ does not depend solely on the length of absence.

Ring-fenced Studentships

In accordance with UKRI and AHRC policy, permissible positive action is being applied to the 2025 SGSAH DTP Open Studentships, following a review of SGSAH Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) application and award data from previous years.

For the 2025 competition, SGSAH is making available *at least* three ring-fenced studentships for applicants from UK Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. These 3 ring-fenced studentships represent a *minimum* recruitment, with no maximum. This year SGSAH is ring-fencing in two additional categories for care-experienced and applicants with refugee status.

In terms of process, applicants will continue to complete the Equalities Monitoring Form, which is not seen by Panel Reviews. Applicants will also complete a Yes/No tick box to detail whether they are applying for one of the ring-fenced studentships. This tick box will not be seen by Panel Reviews, who will score and rank applicants using the existing assessment criteria but will be made available to the final ranking meeting of Executive members.

SGSAH will also advertise online application support sessions specifically aimed at those from under-represented backgrounds.

Equalities Statement

SGSAH intends to ensure equity of experience and opportunity to access funded studentships, in alignment with our existing Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy. Specifically, SGSAH’s EDI within the assessment process of funded studentship schemes includes:

• Applications are assessed anonymously, with Institutional Statements using ‘they’ pronouns throughout to avoid unconscious bias in terms of gender and ethnicity
• Qualifications are reviewed by the SGSAH team rather than panel reviewers, to avoid institutional bias
• A section of the applicant form for ‘Relevant Professional Experience’ is available in order to provide a level playing field for applicants with unrelated, dated or no Masters qualifications but who have demonstrably relevant professional experience
• For the 2023 competition, ring-fenced studentships for BAME applicants are introduced
• SGSAH will deliver online application support sessions specifically aimed at those from under-represented backgrounds.
• All panel reviewers receive EDI and unconscious bias training

Please see our frequently asked questions by clicking here.