Doctoral focal award: chip design and verification

What the assessor looks for

• a clear vision, and objectives that will make a positive contribution to the scope of this investment opportunity and deliver high-quality doctoral education with tracking measures
• the positive outcomes and impact for society and the economy that the investment is aiming to deliver. Describe the strategies to deliver these, grounded in a model that results in highly skilled doctoral graduates, employable across a range of sectors and careers
• how your vision aligns and will positively contribute to relevant wider strategies and priorities, including national capability and capacity needs. If relevant, describe how it will provide additionality to your existing doctoral provision

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• deliver your vision and any specific requirements set out in the opportunity documentation, including why this approach is necessary to achieve your expected outcomes
• embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme provides a holistic approach that delivers high-quality doctoral research. Also, how it integrates in-depth subject knowledge, research and methodological skills, and wider skills development opportunities
• embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme supports students to build their understanding of what conducting high-quality research involves
• embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme prepares globally competitive researchers, able to use their skills to thrive in a range of sectors and careers.
• operate across interdisciplinary, collaborative and challenge-led environments
• effectively determine and actively manage the flexibility afforded to tailor individual student training and development

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students and staff involved, addressing a variety of needs and supporting good wellbeing, including relevant, specific support and training for supervisors where needed
• champion and embed equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) for students and staff, across all aspects of the training grant, including supervision, training design and approaches, and flexible student support
• explain how you will undertake subsequent updates and reviews across the lifetime of the award

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• secured the appropriate research and pastoral capacity to support the number of studentships that you expect to deliver through this award
• a well-evidenced track record of the experience and skills needed to deliver the proposed vision, training programme, and scale
• a well-evidenced track record of contributing to a positive research culture and the wider community
• a well-evidenced track record of supporting the training and development of others, particularly previous involvement in delivering doctoral training successfully

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• working together, with effective two-way engagement
• positively and constructively contributing to the delivery of the doctoral training programme and the training experiences of the students, with students clearly benefitting from these interactions
• is appropriate for the size and complexity of the doctoral programme and ensures continuity of the programme’s capabilities
• supports continual improvement, monitoring, and evaluation
• manages the legal duties of the programme and providers
• supports UKRI’s expectations to create value for society in an ethical and responsible way through relevant frameworks

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• comprehensive training in very large-scale integration design, including proficiency with electronic design automation tools and validation processes
• integration of modern compute architectures, hardware-software co-design, and systems-on-chip capabilities
• strong emphasis on the core tenets of resilience, security, and sustainability, including low-power and energy-efficient systems
• practical knowledge of manufacturing constraints, physical assembly, and packaging improvements
• clear application of these capabilities to AI hardware solutions, such as AI accelerators or distributed compute
• utilisation of UK strengths in optoelectronics, photonic integrated circuits, or compound semiconductors

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• evidence of co-designed research projects and shared supervision, aligning doctoral work with industry priorities
• clear strategies for industry placements giving students hands-on experience in commercial semiconductor environments
• provision of access to critical infrastructure, such as electronic design automation tools, intellectual property libraries, and compute resources
• commitments from industry experts to contribute to mentoring and teaching, supporting the development of industry-ready skills

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• confirm the partner’s commitment to the project
• clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
• describe any additional value that they bring to the project
• have a page limit of two sides A4 per partner

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 43KB)
• proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility
• information list
• confirmation you have their agreement where required

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.