Sponsor a student project (MSc or PhD)

EIDF and EPCC offer opportunities to collaborate through MSc and PhD student projects linked to real research and innovation challenges. Sponsoring a student project is a practical way to explore new ideas, build links with emerging talent, and develop work in areas such as advanced computing, data science, digital infrastructure, AI, and research software. Whether you are looking for a focused short-term project or a longer-term research collaboration, we can help identify an approach that fits your needs.

Talk to us about sponsoring a student project

What do we offer?

Turn your challenge into a high-impact student project.

EIDF and EPCC offer flexible opportunities to shape MSc and PhD projects around real-world questions, technical challenges, and areas of strategic interest. It is a practical way to explore new ideas, connect with emerging talent, and support innovation in advanced computing, data science, AI, digital infrastructure, and research software.

Whether you want to test a focused concept or back a longer-term research programme, we can help you shape a project that delivers value.

What you can do

Work with us to:

  • define a project topic with real-world impact
  • shape an MSc dissertation project around a focused challenge
  • support or co-fund a PhD topic
  • co-supervise a student project
  • develop collaborative research ideas
  • connect with expertise in:
    • high-performance computing
    • data science
    • research software engineering
    • AI and machine learning
    • digital infrastructure
    • technical scoping and feasibility

Fast, focused, and free

Need a sharp piece of work on a defined problem? An MSc project is a great way to test an idea, explore a technical challenge, or generate early insight before committing to something larger.

Key facts

  • Project requests open in the autumn
  • projects usually start in the summer
  • students contribute around 2.5 months of effort
  • there is no direct cost for the student project itself

Why choose an MSc project?

  • quick turnaround
  • low-risk route into collaboration
  • focused effort on a clear question
  • access to talented students using current tools and methods

If you have a well-scoped challenge and want momentum fast, this is an excellent place to start.

Choose an MSc project if you want:

  • a shorter, focused piece of work
  • a fast way to test an idea
  • a low-risk entry point
  • student effort at no direct cost

Deeper research. Longer-term value.

If your challenge needs more depth, a PhD project offers a powerful route to sustained research and innovation.

Partners can support part of a full PhD project and benefit from up to 4 years of research effort. This is an excellent option for organisations looking to build knowledge, investigate ambitious questions, or support a strategic programme of work.

Key facts

  • PhD projects can start at any time
  • projects can run for up to 4 years
  • ideal for ambitious, complex, or exploratory challenges
  • excellent value for money

What to expect

PhD value builds over time. Results are typically back-loaded, with most outputs emerging in years 2 to 4 as the student develops expertise and the research matures.

Why choose a PhD project?

  • deeper exploration of complex challenges
  • long-term research capacity
  • stronger alignment with strategic priorities
  • sustained innovation over time

Choose a PhD project if you want:

  • deeper research over time
  • a structured programme of work
  • support for a wider research agenda
  • long-term value and impact

Whatever stage your idea is at, we can help you find the right fit.


 


Who we work with

We work with partners across:

  • academia
  • industry
  • government

This allows us to support a wide range of projects, from early-stage feasibility work through to delivery of complex technical solutions.

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