NEWS RELEASE – Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
30 June 2015
Latest round of calls for PhD funding announced by AHDB
AHDB has published its latest call for new research projects, making funding of up to £1
million available for its postgraduate studentship programme.
The research call for around 15 PhD studentships opened earlier this month and
applications will be open to all research institutes, universities and colleges to install
students by the start of the 2016/17 academic year.
Applicants will be expected to show that their proposals meet the research priorities of at
least one of the AHDB divisions taking part in the programme – Beef and Lamb, Cereals and
Oilseeds, Horticulture, Dairy and Potatoes.
The aim of the AHDB studentship programme is to deliver useable scientific developments
that are relevant to industry priorities. It is also firmly focused on the challenge to develop the
next generation of technical experts for the agriculture and horticulture industries.
The latest call for new projects will close on 14 September 2015, with successful projects
announced in January 2016. Historically funding a total of 15-20 new projects per year, and
around 50-60 rolling projects at any one time, AHDB is looking to maintain the same scale of
investment as in previous years.
“Supporting the next generation of scientists and delivering relevant and practical research
to levy payers is an important part of AHDB’s long term strategy,” said Kim Matthews, Head
of Research and Development for AHDB Beef and Lamb, and chair of the studentship
programme.
“Many of our PhD students go on to develop successful careers in agriculture and
horticultural research. We are looking for a high standard of applications that can
demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, growers
and processors.”
Full details on how to make an application to the AHDB studentship programme (including a
PhD studentship proposal form and proposal guidelines) are available on the AHDB website.
For further information, or details of the contractual terms for these awards, applicants are
invited to email studentships@ahdb.org.uk indicating which AHDB sector the query is
addressed to in the subject heading.
Students with a project idea should discuss them with their institute/university/college in the first
instance since AHDB does not accept applications directly from students.
Ends
Notes to editors
1. AHDB recognises that the Research Councils UK levels of funding represent a fair
cost for a PhD studentship. Currently this is £23,109 per annum (comprising a
stipend of £14,057, indicative fees of £4,052 and experimental costs of £5,000 based
on BBSRC awards). It should be noted that not all AHDB divisions can fund at these
levels and applicants should check the AHDB website for the levels of award
available. Applicants are expected to indicate their plans to meet any shortfall
between the AHDB award available and these rates.
2. AHDB Pork is not actively seeking applications for PhD studentships however, it
welcomes ideas for potential research projects. Contact
Charlotte.West@ahdb.org.uk for more information.
3. AHDB is a UK-wide Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra and primarily
funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain through statutory levies.
Established in 2008, it supports the following industries: meat and livestock (cattle,
sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; and
cereals and oilseeds in the UK.
The AHDB’s remit covers 75 per cent of total UK agricultural output. Further
information on AHDB can be found at http://www.ahdb.org.uk/.
For further information contact Anna Farrell, AHDB Head of Levy Payer
Communications on 0247 647 8714, 07887 935 805 or anna.farrell@ahdb.org.uk.