Information for Staff

Commercialisation and Consultancy Services are inviting applications for the remaining allocation of Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) for one-year research projects. 

Funding is available for projects that match academic expertise with business-focused research needs. Students can undertake a KESS Mini (a one-year research project linked to an MPhil qualification) with fees waived, a stipend of £9,000 tax free and a budget of around £5,000 (with an additional £200 for academic supervisors).

Academics interested in supervising a student funded through KESS will need to consider the following:

Project

The research project needs to fit one of the Welsh Government’s Priority Sectors (Low carbon economy / Health & Biosciences / Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing / Digital Economy)

Partner

A company or organisation must be involved and so the project should be of relevance to them. They need to have an operating base in the Convergence Area of Wales and be willing to contribute to the project financially and through supervisory support.

Student

The student can be recruited once the project has been approved.

Students can go on to do a PhD with alternative funding but they will need to complete their MPhil qualification and so the work they submit for the MPhil cannot be used towards their PhD.

KESS Vacancy Information  - Students

KESS vacancies are advertised on the Higher Level Skills Wales website and on individual Aberystwyth University departmental webpages.

The KESS application form is available through the links below:

KESS Participant Application Form