In November 2013, the Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts announced the UK's largest investment in postgraduate training in engineering and physical science, funding over 70 new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), spread across 24 UK universities.

The funding, targeted at areas vital to economic growth, has been allocated by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The Basic Technology programme was originally proposed in 1999 as a cross-Council programme to give technology research the same status as scientific research, and to develop a programme that would fund new technology for scientific research.

The Basic Technology programme was designed to support risky new technologies of wide application, which were felt not to be supported adequately by existing mechanisms.

Modern medicine and biology present many challenges that require input from physical scientists and engineers. Researchers who can deploy advanced physical science techniques to address problems in biology and medicine are in strong demand in academia and industry.

To train researchers in this cross disciplinary area, EPSRC, BBSRC and MRC established a portfolio of Life Sciences Interface Centres, which will enable students to gain excellent research skills in engineering and physical sciences, and to deploy their research skills in support of life science research.

This approach to training has attracts strong support from industry, every centre has strong industrial engagement which includes collaborative research, shared supervision or industry sponsorship.

EPSRC-funded centres for doctoral training provide a supportive and exciting environment for students to carry out a challenging PhD-level research project together with taught coursework. Our 'Cyber Security' centres each take in around 12 students per year.

EPSRC-funded centres for doctoral training provide a supportive and exciting environment for students to carry out a challenging PhD-level research project together with taught coursework. Our 'Securing the Future' centres each take in around 10 students per year and cover a wide range of research areas.

These centres aim to train individuals who are equipped to deal with the problems of complex systems that modern science is uncovering.

These centres will train engineers and scientists with both the theoretical and experimental skills required in complexity science, whilst increasing awareness of complexity issues and the tools and techniques being developed by complexity scientists.

The training environments are highly multidisciplinary, since research in complexity science requires training in at least two distinct mainstream disciplines. The centres aim to bring together students from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from physics and chemistry to computer science, mathematics and engineering.

To study complexity requires knowledge of, amongst others, biology, social sciences, economics and engineering, depending on the nature of the system. For more details, please speak to the individual centres.

Industrial Doctorate Centres (IDCs) are an alternative to the traditional PhD, ideal for students who want a career in industry. These centres offer a 4-year programme combining taught courses and a PhD-level research project, where students spend ~75% of their time working directly with a company.

The research projects are jointly supervised by the university and a company, and aim to make a real difference to company performance. Students also undertake technical and management training, to help their professional development.

Industrial Doctorate Centres are an evolution of our Engineering Doctorate (EngD) which has been running for many years. The Association of Engineering Doctorates provides more information about these centres.

Digital technologies are transforming business, government and society. Research is vital in making sure they have the best possible impact for everyone.

The RCUK Digital Economy programme is supporting research to understand how the novel design and use of digital technologies can contribute to an innovative, healthy economy and inclusive society.

The students at these centres come from a range of backgrounds, including computer science, arts, humanities, economics, social sciences and medical engineering.

More information on the RCUK Digital Economy programme can be found at: www.rcuk.ac.uk/digitaleconomy

EPSRC-funded centres for doctoral training provide a supportive and exciting environment for students to carry out a challenging PhD-level research project together with taught coursework. These 3 centres cover research in the area of nanoscience through engineering to application.Nanoscience is the science of the very small (a billionth of a metre). Nanotechnology controls the shape and size of materials to utilise the unique properties at this scale.

It has been described as the first technological revolution of the 21st century, supporting economic growth and helping to meet some of the greatest challenges we face as a society, from addressing climate change to improving human health.

There are 3 Nanoapplications Centres, offering students a chance to gain a fully funded PhD in a dynamic and high impact field.

As well as completing in-depth research projects, students will receive training to help frame the business and societal context in which their research is taking place. The combination of research and training is a crucial step in forging links between fundamental nanoscience and real life applications, helping to realise economic and societal benefits.

The Research Councils UK Energy Programme aims to position the UK to meet its energy and environmental targets and policy goals through high quality research and postgraduate training.

The skills gained at these centres will enable graduates to become the researchers, policy makers and business leaders of the future, helping to achieve an affordable low carbon energy system whilst conserving our natural resources, the environment and our quality of life.

More information on the RCUK Energy programme can be found at: www.rcuk.ac.uk/energy.