The United Kingdom's Photonics and Plastic Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (PPE-KTN) has been given an allocation of Industrial CASE studentships for 2010 by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Applications are now invited for these industry-sponsored PhD studentships. These will be awarded to UK companies via a competition based on project proposals submitted to the PPE-KTN. The deadline for receipt of applications is 25 March 2010 and the winners will be announced by 31 March.

Industrial CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) are a unique way of linking academic research with industrial need. They are allocated by UK Research Councils, in this case EPSRC, to part fund, in association with an industrial sponsor, a three and a half year PhD studentship. They enable companies to take the lead in defining and arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice. EPSRC industrial CASE projects must be in the engineering or physical sciences. This solicitation emphasizes technologies in security, alternative energy, networking, and detection/treatment of diseases.

To be an Industrial CASE sponsor, companies must have research or production facilities in the UK so that there is somewhere suitable for the student placement.

Student eligibility requirements for EPSRC Industrial CASE funding are:

• A relevant connection with the UK, usually established by residence
• An upper second class honours degree, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that level

For more information on Industrial CASE Awards please see the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section on the EPSRC website: www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/CollabTraining/IndustrialCASE/FAQs.htm