The AHRC is planning to develop the Collaborative Research Training scheme in a more strategic direction in order to address critical training issues in our community. In particular we will soon be issuing a targeted call for applications addressing training needs in language skills, a theme that emerged strongly from the recent AHRC Future Directions consultations. The AHRC considers these targeted calls to be a high priority within the scheme, therefore we are suspending the standard categories for the scheme with immediate effect.
The AHRC is currently planning to reinstate the standard routes of the CRT scheme (National, Specialist and Student-Led Initiatives) in 2010, although please note the scheme timetable may not be the same as in previous years. In 2010 some of the AHRC’s application processing activities will be transferred to the new RCUK Shared Services Centre and the AHRC office is moving from Bristol to Swindon. These major organisational changes will impact on scheme timetables for next year. Please consult the AHRC website for up-to-date information.
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The Collaborative Research Training Scheme provides pump-priming funds to support institutions in establishing new specialist research training for doctoral students in the arts and humanities, or enhancing existing programmes. The scheme is intended to support the provision of specialised subject- or discipline- specific research training which will enable institutions to offer such training to groups of students where it is not possible or cost-effective to provide the training for students in just one department or institution.
Applications for the National Category are eligible from institutions aiming to provide research training on a national scale up to a total of £60,000 for a period of up to two years. The funds can provide support for a range of costs, such as planning and co-ordination, publicity and marketing, and production of research training materials or specialist software. We will now accept bids led by Independent Research Organisations (IROs). Such bids must involve collaboration with at least one or more UK-based HEIs.
We are not prescriptive about the type of training programme, which may be as widely or as narrowly focused as appropriate. We would encourage a broad definition of subject specific training in recognition of the large variety of skills and development needs of postgraduate students. Certain programmes may be considered both directly relevant to the research subject whilst at the same time providing students with skills that could be transferable to careers outside of academia.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 5pm on the 9th April 2009. Please note there is no longer an "Expression of Interest" stage for this scheme.
Application guidance notes and an application form can be downloaded below. You should read the application guidance in full before completing the application form.
National Guidance Notes (104kb)
National Application Form PDF (50kb), 
Word (291kb), 
RTF (2263kb)