Additional support for UKRI-funded PhD students

10 April 2020

In response to the announcement that UKRI-funded PhD students whose studies have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided with additional support, Stephanie Smith, Head of Policy (Research and International) at the Russell Group said:

“We welcome the announcement of additional support for UKRI-funded PhD students. Providing fully costed extensions of up to six months will give much needed stability to final year doctoral students affected by the response to the COVID-19 virus threat. We are pleased to see a commitment to review the extension in four months, giving an opportunity to see if additional support is required.

“Universities will continue to work with government and funders on steps to enable researchers to conduct their work in the face of this unprecedented crisis. UKRI has shown firm leadership at this time and we hope to see support for other researchers whose work has been disrupted by COVID-19. Investing in this workforce will be vital in ensuring the UK’s research and innovation base is maintained and able to recover as quickly as possible from the virus for the benefit of the economy and society.”

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