South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

About the project

Kingston University invites applications to the SEDarc Open Competition for doctoral awards and to SEDarc postdoctoral fellowships.

SEDarc open competition for doctoral awards

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) .

Kingston University has a vibrant PhD community with over 200 research students working across the Social Sciences and Health subject areas. We are now inviting applications to the SEDarc Open Competition for doctoral awards through Kingston University for 2027 entry under the theme "Healthy and Thriving Communities". Note that it is not possible to submit an application directly to SEDarc – you must apply through one of the member universities.

• The call for 2027 entry applications is now open.
• Deadline: midnight, Monday 7 December 2026.

SEDarc Kingston: support with your application

We invite potential applicants to an online workshop to learn more about SEDarc and the application process.

Online Application Workshop

Join us for advice on writing your SEDarc research proposal.

• Friday 2 October, 1–2pm
• Book a place for the Application Workshop.

Online Proposal Writing Workshop

• Thursday 5 November, 1–2pm
• Email to book a place for the Proposal Writing Workshop

Eligibility

• UK applicants who have been resident in the UK for at least three years immediately preceding the start of their course are eligible to apply for the full scholarship covering stipend and tuition fees.
• International applicants are eligible to apply for the full scholarship covering stipend and tuition fees. See more information about fees and eligibility for Home fees status .
• Awards are available for both full-time and part-time students.
• ESRC and UKRI eligibility criteria apply, and all awards are subject to the ESRC and UKRI terms and conditions.
• Only new students may apply for this scheme. Current PhD students are not eligible to apply due to the new structure of the PhD and required training.

ESRC terms and conditions and eligibility

All Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) awards are subject to the ESRC 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 ' Manage your award page ' on the UKRI website:

• UKRI Terms and Conditions of Training Grants
• UKRI Training Grant Guidance
• ESRC studentships: additional terms and conditions.

Doctoral funding

The full-time doctoral stipend for 2026/27 is £23,804. Levels are likely to rise slightly for 2027/28 but have not yet been confirmed. Awards will be for 3.5 years full time or 7 years part time. Thesis submission for examination is required by the end of the funding period.

1. Contact a potential supervisor at Kingston University

We welcome enquiries from potential research students. Please contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research proposal, the supervision that may be available, and whether you might be considered a suitable candidate for an ESRC award. Please see our staff profiles to see if we have expertise in your subject area. Alternatively, please email the Faculty Research Student Coordinator for advice , including "SEDarc" in the subject line.

2.Complete a Kingston/SEDarc Preliminary Application

Kingston/SEDarc Preliminary Application (word doc)

This is a shortened version of the final SEDarc form because at this stage we only need you to complete sections 1,3 and 7. Please see the SEDarc Application Guidance for how to complete these sections. Attach the Preliminary Application to your Kingston online application.

3.Submit a KU online application for October 2027 entry

Submit a Kingston University online application . You will need to include the following:

When completed, please email HSSCE Research with your application reference number and 'SEDarc' in the subject header.

Deadline: midnight, Monday 7 December 2026.

If successful, you will be invited to interview. Interviews are planned for 14 and 15 December 2026.

If successful at interview, you will receive further support to develop your application, which will then be considered by an internal panel of subject experts at Kingston University.

You will be informed of the outcome by 21 December.

• Kingston/SEDarc Preliminary Application (this includes your research proposal and personal statement so you do not need to attach additional versions of these)
• Your academic transcripts and/or certificates.
• English language qualifications, if required.
• A photograph or scan of your passport.
• You may also wish to attach a CV or other relevant documents.

4.Final application stage (by invitation only)

Your draft application will be reviewed and, if successful, you will be given feedback and invited to submit a finalised SEDarc application via the SEDarc application portal. Read the SEDarc Application Guidance .

Deadline: 29 January 2027

If your application goes forward, SEDarc will contact you with the outcome of your application.

Further details of the application process can be found on the SEDarc website.

Enquiries are best addressed to the relevant faculty or potential supervisor, but general questions may be emailed to Rachel Graham .

SEDarc Postdoctoral Fellowships

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The call for 2026 applications is now closed.

The SEDarc Doctoral Training Partnership has been awarded funding from the ESRC to host four Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDFs). The scheme is aimed at providing a career development opportunity for those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, their networks, and their research and professional skills.

What is on offer?

The PDF grants provide funding for 9 months full-time, or 18 months part-time (shorter than in previous years).

More details can be found on the SEDarc website .

Who is eligible for a SEDarc ESRC-funded PDF?

This call is open to those who have:

Please note, if you have passed your viva voce, but with major corrections, you will not be eligible for this year's call.

• completed their PhD at a research organisation that is part of a current ESRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP); and
• been awarded a PhD or have passed their viva voce (or passed with minor corrections) by the application deadline of 1 June 2026 and have been awarded their PhD by the fellowship start date of 1 October 2026; and
• have no more than 12 months (full-time equivalent) of active postdoctoral experience since passing their viva voce (allowing for career breaks) by the application deadline of 1 June 2026.

Which pathways or disciplines can I apply for?

Your proposal can be from a single discipline or a combination of disciplines, but social sciences must make up at least 50% of your Fellowship activities.

Kingston SEDarc applicants may apply for the 'Healthy, Thriving Communities' interdisciplinary pathway.

ESRC PDF guidance documents

The ESRC issued the following documents for PDFs starting in October 2023 onwards:

For further information from the ESRC, visit their webpage on early career researchers .

• ESRC Call Specification sets out what is included in a PDF awards, the eligibility criteria, what is required in the application etc
• ESRC FAQs provides answers to questions about PDF awards

How to apply

We are now accepting informal enquiries. If we are able to support your application you will be asked to follow the steps outlined below.

Enquiries to be emailed to HSSCE research .

Stages of competition

More details are on the SECarc website .

• Submit your expression of interest and CV to SEDarc by 23:59 UK time on 16 April 2026.
• There will an internal review of EOIs to select our two institutional nominees: if you are successful following this first review phase, you will be invited to complete a full, costed application by 18 June 2026. Our Research Development team will assist with the costings.
• Once the deadlines for full applications has passes, SEDarc will peer review the applications with a central team and make funding decisions on behalf of the ESRC, to a maximum of four awards by mid-June.

Research areas