UKRI-funded PhD programme · Northumbria University

Shape an AI future that works for citizens.

Join an interdisciplinary doctoral community exploring how AI can be designed, governed and used with people — not simply for them.

Prepare for your application

Start here

Could this PhD be for you?

You do not need to arrive as an AI specialist. We welcome applicants from technical, social scientific, design, humanities, legal and professional backgrounds who want to investigate AI in ways that centre citizens and communities.

This page brings the essential information, resources and stages together in one place.

Choose research that genuinely excites you; start with a question you want to answer.

David Colborn-Clark

PhD Student in Computer Science

Your application journey

Where are we in the cycle?

Explore and prepare
Read about the application process and the challenges.
Explore the challenges
  1. Applications open
  2. Pre-application workshops & feedback
  3. Deadline for pre-application feedback
  4. Application Deadline
  5. Shortlisting
  6. Interviews
  7. Offers
  8. Cohort starts

How to apply

Prepare once. Submit with confidence.

Make clear what unique benefits you as an individual will bring to the research team — particularly from your own life experiences or challenges.

Luke Chambers

PhD Student in Law

Strategic challenges

Where could your research make a difference?

Challenges help applicants find intellectual connections; they are not narrow project briefs. A proposal may connect more than one challenge. New applicants apply against the Cohort 4 strategic challenges.

Explore the Cohort 4 strategic challenges

When thinking about your application consider doing research that sparks your curiosity — that spark can ignite real change from your work.

Lauren Scott

PhD Student in Computer Science

Application support

Never applied for a PhD before?

That should not prevent you from applying. Use our templates, watch the information webinar, attend a pre-application workshop, and contact us if guidance is unclear.

See the following sections for resources to support your application.

Pre-application workshops and feedback

To support prospective applicants in preparing their research proposals, we run a series of Pre-Application workshops and a Webinar each year to provide an overview of the recruitment process and what we are looking for in research proposals.

  • –In person: Pre-application workshop
  • –Online: Pre-application workshop
  • –Online webinar

The pre-application workshops are not yet available to book — please check back shortly.

Resources for the pre-application stage:

Request feedback on your research proposal

Prospective applicants may request to receive feedback on their research proposal prior to submission. Feedback is offered at most once per applicant, and will not be provided for proposals that are incomplete or not in the template provided.

There will be an opportunity shown here to request feedback on your research proposal — please check back shortly.

Resources to support your application

Research Proposals must use the following template:

If your proposal is incomplete or submitted without the provided template, your application may be automatically rejected. Please adhere to the word counts detailed in each section of the template. Research proposals should outline novel research projects that align with our strategic challenges.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

We collect Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data to inform the inclusivity of our recruitment process. You are asked to provide EDI data using the provided template. The form will ask for age, gender, ethnicity etc.

If you identify with a societal group less represented within Computer Science and/or Higher Education Research (e.g. Women, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME), Disabled, LGBTQIA+, first-generation student, a student from a low-income household, carer, etc.), you have the option to complete a Personal statement as part of the template provided.

Personal statements should be approximately 250 words in length and should (i) outline your learning and career journey, including any career/learning breaks taken, (ii) reflect on systemic barriers that may have impacted your learning and career journey- highlighting how you navigated those barriers.

EDI data shared through the application will only be made visible to our specialist EDI panel and not with the panel responsible for shortlisting applicants for interviews. The EDI specialist panel will use their expertise and/or lived experience in issues related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to make recommendations regarding factors that the academic shortlisting panel should take into account.

If your application is successful and you join our student body, we are required to report EDI characteristics of our students to our funders UKRI.

Propose ambitious research that challenges the status quo! Citizen-centred AI is all about building towards the change you want to see in our society and your communities.

Reem Talhouk

Assistant Professor in Design

Details when you need them

Questions applicants ask

What are the details of the funding?

Successful applicants will receive a full UKRI-funded studentship, including: a stipend at UKRI rates (typically tax-free), full tuition fees, and a generous research training grant to support research activities.

The UKRI rate is £21,805 for 2026/27, and is expected to rise annually.

For the 2027/28 academic year entry, full-time students with home fee status will received an enhanced TechExpert stipend of £30,000 in total as part of a government-funded programme. The uplift is provided in addition to standard CDT funding and does not affect tuition fees or the training grant. TechExpert students will take part in a number of additional activities (up to 10 days per year), such as outreach to encourage future participation in tech careers, networking within the TechFirst community, and engagement with industry partners. Further details: The stipend for Phase 2 is capped at £30,000 in the first year (uplifted to maintain the difference with the UKRI minimum stipend over four years). This decision reflects feedback from Phase 1, where the previous £10k top-up alongside the UKRI minimum was highlighted as high, while ensuring stipends remain competitive against entry-level industry roles. Where financial headroom permits, we will consider opportunities to expand support with an emphasis on enhancing regional balance and prioritising key digital technology areas, particularly hardware and semiconductors.

Am I eligible to apply?

Applicants normally have a 2:1 degree or better (or an equivalent GPA, with a preference for first-class honours), a Masters (preferably Merit or above), or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement, plus an appropriate IELTS score if required. You cannot apply if you already hold a PhD or are currently engaged in doctoral study.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes — studentships are open to UK and international (including EU) applicants as per UKRI guidelines, but there are a limited number of international awards each year. Please check your eligibility before applying.

Do I need prior AI expertise?

No. Foundational training, including AI, is part of the CDT and each researcher receives a personalised training plan. You do not need a first degree in Computer Science.

Can I study remotely or part-time?

All researchers are based at the Newcastle campus — we do not offer remote or distance study.

We have previously been able to offer part-time study at 0.6 FTE (around 22 hours a week), completing the programme over 6.5 years instead of 4. Unfortunately, at this stage of the programme, we are unable to make a standard offer of part-time study for new applicants, as this would exceed the programme's remaining duration. Please contact us to discuss your circumstances.

What should I include on my CV?

Your CV should be no more than two pages long, and outline your education, work experience, key achievements and any relevant publications (please note we do not expect all applicants to have had prior research publications).

What makes a strong research proposal?

A strong proposal describes and justifies the AI-and-society challenge it addresses, its proposed methods, a brief review of the state of the art, any ethical and EDI implications, and how it aligns with citizen-centred AI and one or more of our strategic challenges. Use the template and keep to its word counts — incomplete proposals, or those not using the template, may be rejected.

How will my application be assessed?

An academic panel shortlists applicants for interview. EDI data is only seen by a separate specialist EDI panel, who make recommendations on factors the shortlisting panel should take into account.

What happens at interview?

Interviews take place online. You will be given two academic papers to discuss with the panel, and asked to reflect on your proposed research in light of the feedback given at shortlisting.

After interviews are completed, we will contact successful candidates and make formal offers to join the CCAI CDT. Offers must be accepted or rejected by the advised deadline.

Need further help?

Contact us