THE HYDRO NATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 2015
The Hydro Nation scholars programme is part of the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation
strategy. The objective of the strategy is to develop the economic, environmental and social
value of Scotland’s water resources. The Hydro Nation scholars play an important role in
supporting this by:
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developing understanding of how and where best to develop the value of Scotland’s
water resources
focusing on enhancing Scottish capacity in areas of existing research excellence
providing new research and insights where there are gaps related to water resources
in Scotland.
Following consultation, the recruitment process for the 2015 Hydro Nation scholars has
been revised, as set out below. The programme and the associated graduate school will be
managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters
(CREW), drawing on its Scotland-wide water policy, industry, and academic network.
Topics of interest for 2015 are:
1. Sustainable innovative solutions to delivering water and waste water services
2. Case studies and evaluation of technology for a Scottish context including long term
sustainability of chemical treatment of water and waste water in the UK
3. Community water supply management in remote rural areas including technology to
minimise the impact of cumulative private wastewater discharges in small scale rural
developments
4. Water-energy-food challenges and solutions in Scotland
5. Develop the value of water resources in Scotland, including understanding monetary
and non-monetary aspects of value such as value from water efficiency, energy from
water, enhanced raw water quality, greater use of untreated water, environmental
and social benefits of improved waste water management
6. New ways to protect and increase raw water quality in Scotland
THE PROGRAMME
The Hydro Nation scholars programme is an open competition for project topics and then
for PhD scholars to undertake approved projects, hosted within Scottish Universities and
Research Institutes. The areas of interest are set out below.
Full funding is available from the Scottish Government (to host institutions via the Scottish
Funding Council) for up to 7 PhD scholarships. Two of these may be awarded to “overseas”
scholars. Home and overseas scholars are defined according to a scholar’s status for
University admissions. The funding available will be in line with the Research Councils UK
doctoral stipend levels and indicative fees. Currently these are:
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National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2014/15 is £13,863
Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2014/15 is £3,996
Overseas Indicative Fee Level is £15,700
Supervisors will be allocated £2,500 per annum for Travel and Subsistence and all fees and stipend
will be covered. Exceptional costs, for example, additional research costs, travel costs and
placement costs during the scholarship will be negotiated with CREW.
Scholars will be funded for 4 years. The Scholarship will involve periods of research at a
water related institution, such as Scottish Water, the Scottish Government, SEPA, or
industry. CREW will liaise between the applicant and the water organisation to develop this
link, following appointment of the scholar. Please do not contact a placement partner
before application.
Scholars will benefit from specialised programmes provided under the auspices of the Hydro
Nation Graduate School.
THE PROCESS
Call for Project Proposals
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The call for project proposals, based on advertised topics is made at the beginning of
July 2014
There is a strict limit of one application per academic as a primary supervisor and
one as a second supervisor
The deadline for submission of project proposals is the 31st August 2014
Projects proposals must be submitted on the form below
Prospective PhD scholars are encouraged to submit project proposals (scholar-led
proposals), which will be reviewed alongside academic-led proposals
The proposal must show that the project is rational, feasible, innovative and relevant
to the Hydro Nation strategy
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Project proposals will be reviewed and selected by a panel chaired by the CREW
director and including policy stakeholders from Scottish Government, Scottish Water
and SEPA. Proposers will be notified of the outcome
Approved projects will be advertised to scholars in October 2014
Summary timetable for recruitment for 2015
Postgraduate Project Proposal call
1st July 2014
Deadline for project proposal submissions
31st August 2014
Review of project proposals by Hydro Nation
Stakeholder Panel
September 2014
Advertisement of approved projects
October 2014
Deadline for scholar applications
31st December 2014
PhD scholar interviews
Early February 2015
Final decisions on PhD scholars
Early March 2015
HYDRO NATION SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM
Please return this form to Laura Logie (laura.logie@hutton.ac.uk) in electronic (Word) format
by 31ST August 2014.
Part 1 – Administrative Details
Title of Project:
Topic of Interest:
Supervisor’s name &
Institution
No. of
years
supervision
experience
Number of PhD scholars under supervision
1st
year
2nd
year
3rd
year
4th
year +
Total
Primary
Supervisor:
Secondary
Supervisor 1:
Secondary
Supervisor 2:
Estimated Research/Field Costs
15/16
16/17
£
£
Annual sum
sought
Contribution
from other
sources?
17/18
£
18/19
£
Total
£
Part 2 - Project Details
Part 3 – Supervisor Details – Primary Supervisor
Personal Details
Surname:
Forename(s):
Organisation and current position
E Mail:
Telephone No.:
Relevant recent publications (if applicable); include papers in press (maximum of 5)
Part 3B – Supervisor Details – Secondary Supervisor 1
Personal Details
Surname:
Forename(s):
Organisation and current position
E Mail:
Telephone No.:
Relevant recent publications; include papers in press (maximum of 5)
Part 3C – Supervisor Details – Secondary Supervisor 2
Personal Details
Surname:
Forename(s):
Organisation and current position
E Mail:
Telephone No.:
Relevant recent publications; include papers in press (maximum of 5)