Funding opportunities

Radioactive Waste Management Research Support Office DNLEU PhD call open

The Radioactive Waste Management Research Support Office (RWM RSO) is requesting applications for two PhD studentships to improve understanding of the long-term behaviour of alternative backfill for Depleted, Natural and Low-Enriched Uranium (DNLEU) disposal.

The aim of the RWM RSO PhD programme is to develop a portfolio of people and research projects focused on key research priorities in line with RWM’s Science and Technology Plan. In addition, the RWM RSO PhD programme will train the next generation of geological disposal scientists, engineers and other researchers, and expand all aspects of the geological disposal research community throughout the UK.

For this call, RWM is looking to fund 2 PhD projects that will address the research brief outlined in the guidance document linked below. As this is an extensive research area, we are anticipating applications will outline projects that fill partial scope.

The two PhD studentships in the DNLEU theme will form part of the RWM RSO PhD studentship scheme. As such, we are looking to start these projects in October 2021. Students funded by RWM through the RSO have access to a growing geological disposal research community, training, and networking opportunities. Each project proposal is expected to cost less than £120,000 and RWM is, where possible, seeking co-funding from universities or third parties (either anticipated or confirmed) and/or in-kind contributions. Universities and researchers that have not previously received funding from RWM are particularly encouraged to apply. The contractual arrangements for the PhD studentships will be administered by RWM.

Proposals must be submitted using the application form available below and e-mailed to rso-gdf@manchester.ac.uk by 12:00 on Tuesday 1st June.

Further information regarding the scheme and the application process can be found in the scope and evaluation criteria document. All clarification questions (including commercial, technical, terms and conditions, and requests for flexibility in the deadline) should be addressed to the RSO via rso-gdf@manchester.ac.uk by Friday 14^th May.

Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you hear about upcoming funding opportunities first.

RSO DNLEU PhD scopes and evaluation criteria 2021

RSO DNLEU Call PhD Application form 2021

RWM template grant agreement DNLEU

Clarification questions log

Notice of RWM Tender

Radioactive Waste Management Ltd is looking for bids to their open tender: Evidence to Support the STC containment argument in the transport safety case. The deadline for requests to participate is the 20th May. The relevant documents and further information can be found here.