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.
The courses and schools listed above 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
- widen participation for those unable to attend residential schools.
It would be important for the resource to be made available to all STFC-funded students.
If you wish to submit a bid for a residential or online summer school, short course, or hybrid of both, please see the funding opportunity guidance (PDF, 137KB) and use the most appropriate bid template to justify costs.
Short courses, summer schools and online training resources must be held in a core research activity supported by the STFC studentships programme:
- astronomy
- solar and planetary science
- particle astrophysics
- cosmology
- particle physics
- accelerator science
- nuclear physics.
They must also be aimed primarily at STFC-funded PhD students. Every student should have the opportunity to attend an STFC-supported summer school. Courses of a specialist technical nature will not be supported.
Bids should include sufficient detail and address what the course aims to deliver in terms of content, and how this links to the STFC science programme. Refer to the funding opportunity guidance (PDF, 137KB) for full details of the expected content and ensure there are elements of public engagement in the school.
If you require any content advice, email neville.hollingworth@stfc.ukri.org
Costs and financial restrictions
Organisers should aim to keep the cost per student below £150 per day. However, some consideration will be made for overheads where the cost may exceed this figure, where specific justifications are provided.
Please note the following financial restrictions for summer school costs:
- lecturer fees: a maximum of £170 per day or £85 per half day, as appropriate
- conference dinner: a maximum of £50 (£60 in London) per delegate in total for the conference dinner or excursion, or both
- management fees: if you are using postdoctoral research assistants or PhD students to manage the school, you may claim costs at the appropriate hourly rate or you can claim a one off £500 management fee
- contingency costs: 5% of the total cost or £1,500 (whichever is the least).
Equality, diversity and inclusion
STFC is committed to ensuring that its policies and practices reflect the diverse needs and experiences of its employees and other stakeholders. 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
- place no barriers in the way of participation by students from any of the protected groups (gender, disability and race)
- involve no discrimination or bias against any of the protected groups in the selection of lecturers.
Learn more about equality, diversity and inclusion.
