STFC Funding for Short Courses and Summer Schools

Support to enable STFC-accredited UK universities and research organisations to hold short courses, summer schools and online training resources in science or technology.

The Funding for Short Courses and Summer Schools call for 2022-23 is run by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to enable STFC-accredited UK universities or research organisations eligible for STFC funding to hold short courses, summer schools and online training resources in science or technology. Short courses, summer schools or online training resources must:

• Be aimed primarily at STFC-funded PhD students.
• Cover core research activity supported by the STFC studentships programme, namely: astronomy, solar and planetary science, particle astrophysics, cosmology, particle physics, accelerator science, and nuclear physics.

STFC will support the following fundamental schools for the core budget:

• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) STFC Introductory Course in Astronomy for New Research Students.
• British Universities Summer School in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics (BUSSTEPP).
• STFC Introductory Course in Solar and Solar-terrestrial Physics.
• UK Nuclear Physics Summer School (occurs every two years).
• STFC High Energy Physics (HEP) summer schools.

Schools and courses on this list will be expected to submit a satisfactory bid, should they wish to have support in 2023. All other proposed summer schools or online training will be considered in competition for the remaining budget. Priority will be given to schools in areas not covered by the fundamental schools above.

The Education, Training and Careers Committee is also inviting bids from organisers of online training resources to complement the residential schools and widen participation for those unable to attend residential schools.

Every student should have the opportunity to attend an STFC-supported summer school. Organisers of an STFC-funded summer school are required to ensure that the arrangements for the school comply with the UKRI key principles of the UKRI equality and diversity policy.

There is an expectation for Ernest Rutherford Fellows to participate as lecturers or tutors. Applicants may also approach UK Research and Innovation Future Leader Fellows in the STFC remit.