Scope

STFC will support the following schools in this funding opportunity:

• Introductory Course in Astronomy (subject to approval via an Expression of Interest)
• British Universities Summer School in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics
• Introductory Course in Solar and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
• High Energy Physics Summer School
• Nuclear Physics UK

You must submit a high-quality application that meets the requirements of the funding opportunity if you apply. We will not accept or support applications from other summer schools.

Research areas

Summer schools must align with the STFC core science programme, which includes:

• astronomy
• particle physics
• nuclear physics
• accelerator science

Expected course content

Even though we are currently only supporting the core summer schools, it is important that you clearly demonstrate how your programme aligns with STFC’s core science remit.

The programme should address key STFC scientific questions and contribute meaningfully to the development of expertise in these areas. To ensure wide accessibility and impact, the content should be broad enough to appeal to a diverse cohort of students across the STFC community, while maintaining scientific depth and relevance.

You should include detailed justification and address the school aims to deliver in terms of content, and how it links to STFC science programme.

See STFC guidance for summer schools in 2026:

• for full details of expected content
• to ensure there are elements of public engagement in the school

For advice on public engagement content, email stfcpublicengagement@stfc.ukri.org

Summer schools must be aimed primarily at STFC-funded PhD students. Every student should have an opportunity to attend a STFC-supported summer school.

All schools should include sessions on:

• public engagement
• broader issues of undertaking a PhD including mental health

Introductory courses should include a session on careers advice, covering both academic and non-academic careers.

We expect you to invite Ernest Rutherford Fellows and UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Fellows to participate as lecturers or tutors.

Funding available

You should aim to keep the cost per student below £150 per day. However, we may consider reasonable overheads that result in costs exceeding this threshold, provided that clear and specific justifications are provided.

Note the following financial restrictions within the summer school template:

• 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 conference dinner or excursion, or both
• management fees: £500 one off fee
• contingency costs: 5% of the total cost or £1,500 (whichever is the least)
• accommodation: not to exceed £170 per night, including breakfast and VAT within Edinburgh and London or £120 per night for all other places

Reasonable adjustment costs

You may include costs for reasonable adjustments. Where an application includes such costs, we will ensure you are eligible, and these should be accepted without comment. Further information on disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants during the application and assessment process can be found on the Disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders.

If you exceed the costs outlined in the summer school template, you must cover any additional expenses. These excess costs cannot be claimed from the funding body.

You must email your application for the 2026 core summer school funding opportunity to studentships@stfc.ukri.org using the official format and templates provided.

These can be found at:

• guidance for summer schools
• UKRI summer school costs template

Do not change the layout of the summer school costs template.

When applying to host a core summer school, we strongly encourage you to contact the previous organisers of that school. This helps ensure continuity, share best practices, and support the ongoing development and improvement of the course.

Final reports and student feedback from previous years are available and can be requested from the STFC Studentships team at studentships@stfc.ukri.org

These resources can be valuable during the planning process to inform content, structure and delivery.

Deadline

STFC must receive your application by 14 October 2025 at 5:00pm UK time.

You will not be able to apply after this time.

You need to ensure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.

Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and we will not return applications for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

Personal data

STFC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage the registration of your funding applications.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely.

For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.

Publication of outcomes

STFC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity on STFC short course and summer schools.

What to include in your application

All applications must provide the following information:

• course organiser details, dates and venue of the proposed summer school
• detailed justification for the summer school, in terms of relevant STFC studentships programme
• the number of STFC PhD students who will benefit from the summer school
• a detailed breakdown of the budget requested using the summer school costs template and guidance on costs.
• information on funding or in-kind contributions to be provided from other sources

We expect course organisers to seek commercial sponsorship wherever possible while retaining the scientific ownership of the school and you will need provide evidence of this.

Risk management plan

You must submit a detailed risk management plan outlining any potential risks to the delivery of the programme, along with corresponding mitigation strategies. The plan should also include contingency arrangements for delivering the programme remotely in the event that a residential school cannot take place.

If you plan excursions or off-site activities as part of the summer school programme, you should provide a separate risk assessment and management plan to address the specific risks associated with those activities

Assessment process

All applications will be assessed by the Education, Training, and Careers Committee (ETCC) against the following criteria:

• breadth of subject and fit with STFC objectives
• speaker, lecturer and tutor equality, diversity and inclusion objectives
• quality of subject matter
• school programming
• skills building content
• risk management
• value for money

We will let you know whether your application has been successful, unsuccessful, or requires improvement to be funded after the meeting in late November 2025 or early December 2025.

You may need to re-submit you application if it needs amendments.

Feedback

If successful, you need to provide a report to STFC on the completion of the course. The report should include student feedback, and gender balance between students.

The report will be shared with the ETCC in March 2027. This may also be shared with future hosts.

Ask a question about this funding opportunity

Email: studentships@stfc.ukri.org

We aim to respond within two working days.

Supporting documents

Organising a summer school

Summer school costs templates