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Techne: Arts and Humanities Research Council

TECHNE2 awards supporting outstanding innovative, interdisciplinary research with an emphasis on creativity and practice. The programme is delivered through a partnership between Royal Holloway, University of London, Brunel University London, Kingston University, Loughborough University, University of Brighton, University of Roehampton, University of the Arts London, University of Surrey and University of Westminster. 

Awards focus on interdisciplinary research which pushes the boundaries of arts and humanities research into science and social science. Brunel University brings a wealth of expertise in creative practice across the performing arts, film practice, creative writing and digital media.

The studentships will be offered through the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences. DTP students will become members of the College’s vibrant research community, including one of the interdisciplinary research centers such as Global Lives or the Institute of Communities and Society, where they will benefit from Brunel’s diverse specialist expertise.  

Applications are now open for the October 2025 intake. Deadline is 19th December 2024 @ 5pm. 

View all studentships currently available in Arts and Humanities here:

Our funded studentships become available at different times of the year. Please keep checking our page regularly to see the latest funded opportunities. We also advertise all our funded studentships as soon as they become available on the @BrunelResearch twitter account.

View all studentships

Who can apply for a Doctoral Training Partnership?

  • Studentships supported by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation are open to Home, EU and International students.
  • Students must reside in the UK during their studies to receive United Kingdom Research and Innovation funding
  • The studentships are highly competitive with two stages of selection: first selection at Brunel and then the second stage at the Doctoral Training Partnership level
  • Applicants are normally expected to hold a Masters degree and a minimum IELTS 7 for international students

Preparing to apply to TECHNE2

Before applying to TECHNE, please note that all AHRC awards are subject to the AHRC and UKRI Terms and Conditions. Please ensure that you are familiar with them. They are set out in three documents, which can be accessed via the 'Current Award Holders' page on the AHRC website. 

You can begin contacting Brunel academics any time to start exploring possible matches between your research project and our expertise. The main period of working on your application is between September – December when you will receive feedback and support from both your potential supervisors and other senior academics. 

In January a panel will review your application and decide whether it can go forward to be submitted to Techne. Those applications selected will receive feedback from the review panel to refine their applications prior to the deadline for submission to Techne which is on Feb 20th 2025

  • Anthropology – Dr Peggy Froerer (peggy.froerer@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Business Studies  – Dr Chima Mordi (chima.mordi@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Creative Writing – Dr Claire Lynch (claire.lynch@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Education - Dr Giuliana Ferri (giuliana.ferri@brunel.ac.uk)

  • English - Dr Claire Lynch (claire.lynch@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Film & Television Studies – Professor Michael Wayne (michael.wayne@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Games Design – Dr Marco Benoit Carbone (marcobenoit.carbone@brunel.ac.uk)

  • History – Dr Inge Dornan (inge.dornan@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Journalism – Dr Anita Howarth (anita.howarth@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Law – Dr Patricia Hobbs (patricia.hobbs@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Music – Carl Faia Harrison (carl.faiaharrison@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Politics – Professor Mark Neocleous (mark.neocleous@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Sociology & Communication and Media Studies – Dr Monica Degen (monica.degen@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Theatre – Dr Katerina Paramana (katerina.paramana@brunel.ac.uk)

  • Politics – Professor Mark Neocleous (mark.neocleous@brunel.ac.uk)

       

  1. If you are advised that the proposal may be suitable for a technē studentship, you will need to complete the word version of the application form and Equal opportunities form.

  2. Your application must be submitted to Brunel's internal panels of subject experts by December. Send completed forms to: techne@brunel.ac.uk. The panel will make final decisions around mid-January as to which applications can be formally submitted to Techne and the panel will also give final feedback advice for those applications going forward.  If your application does go forward, you will hear in April whether it has been successful.  

  3. An internal Brunel review panel will decide which applications are strong enough to be submitted to the Techne competition. You can familiarise yourself with the Techne portal and draft versions of your application here https://techne.flexigrant.com/. You can download PDFs of your draft applications but you must not formally submit your application to Techne unless and until you are instructed to do by Brunel university. 

  4. Should your scholarship application be put forward to Techne you will be expected to apply to Brunel as a Doctoral candidate by April. Please note you will be expected to attend an interview. 

  5. Please note that a condition of the studentships is that you must hold an offer of the relevant research degree programme.

  Further details of the assessment process can be found on the technē website. 

Getting your documentation ready

  1. Techne Application form: Complete all sections of the application form up to section 17 and the Equal opportunities form. Find guidance on how to complete the form. Please note do not complete the application via the online portal yet.

  2. Two written references, they should have a good knowledge of your academic record to date and your plans for the research project. They should be in a position to judge your suitability and preparedness for doctoral study. Only one of your two referees can be a member of your proposed (or actual) supervisory team. You may ask the supervisor of your Masters dissertation to be one of your referees. It is however not necessary for either of your referees to be a member of your supervisory team unless you have already started your PhD, in which case we would expect one of your references to be from your supervisor. References must include:

      • The referee’s name and their relationship to you

      • Comment on your previous performance/achievements

      • Comment on your preparedness for doctoral study

      • Your predicted or actual degree result if appropriate

  1. Your up-to-date CV;

  2. Your single A4 page, single-spaced personal statement setting out why you are interested in undertaking this project;

  3. Your BA and MA/MSc degree certificate(s) in the relevant areas and transcript(s);

  4. Evidence of your English language capability to IELTS 7.0 or equivalent, if appropriate;For advice of an academic nature, please contact Academic Techne Lead Prof Michael Wayne (michael.wayne@brunel.ac.uk) . For all other enquiries, please contact techne@brunel.ac.uk

Please email all completed documents to techne@brunel.ac.uk by December 18th @ 5pm. Please note that Interviews for technē studentships may be required.

Applicants are advised to be available should they be called for interview. Please note this webpage will be updated periodically, any enquiries please contact techne@brunel.ac.ukView more information about how to approach the Techne application.

What will you receive if you’re successful?


 Fees

Full fees at the current home rate for the length of the studentship, irrespective of your fee status. Brunel University London has waived the difference between Home and International fee level so that International students will not be charged the difference.

 Stipend

 A stipend including London Weighting. Check the current stipend amount on the UKRI website.