Campaigners describe rise as “another win” but say those not funded by UKRI “left waiting”
Campaigners have welcomed plans to increase the minimum stipend for doctoral students funded by UK Research and Innovation to £18,622.
The increase—which will apply to PhD students funded by UKRI from the start of the 2023-24 academic year—represents a five per cent rise from the 2022-23 rate of £17,688.
Commenting on the announcement, UKRI’s people and culture champion, Melanie Welham, said: “Postgraduate research training makes a significant contribution to developing the expertise that underpins the UK’s ambitions to be a leading research and innovation nation.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates UKRI’s ongoing commitment to supporting doctoral students. This step is part of our long-term efforts to ensure that the UK remains one of the best places for postgraduate students from all backgrounds to undertake research training.”
‘Another win’
The increase was welcomed by Alex Kirby-Reynolds and Ellie Munro, co-leads of the University and College Union’s Postgraduate Researchers as Staff campaign, who have been campaigning for more support for PhD students.
“UKRI’s decision to match the stipend rate for the coming academic year with predicted inflation may provide some relief to funded PGRs, who will be concerned about the value of their income in the face of rising costs,” they told Research Professional News.
“This should be viewed as another win for PGRs Against Low Pay campaigners, who last summer demanded that UKRI should set stipends in line with the most up-to-date inflation figures.”
However, they pointed out that other postgraduate researchers who are not funded by UKRI “will be left waiting”.
The announcement came after UKRI announced it would increase the minimum stipend by 10 per cent for 2022-23 to £17,688, following a backlash from PhD students struggling to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis.
Following the announcement, a number of other major funders and institutions promised similar uplifts, including the Royal Society, the Leverhulme Trust, Cancer Research UK, as well as universities such as Sheffield Hallam University.
Consultation on ‘new deal’
The 2023-24 increase was announced alongside the publication of an analysis of a consultation on UKRI’s ‘new deal’ for postgraduate researchers, which aims to improve the experience and quality of postgraduate research training in the UK.
According to the report, which was carried out by Pye Tait Consulting on behalf of UKRI, one-fifth of respondents would welcome increased flexibility—for example, to accommodate part-time or distance learners. There was also concern about a lack of flexibility in the duration of funding, with many stating that three years was not long enough for a doctorate.
Respondents also raised concerns about what they perceived as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to funding, with some suggesting that funding options should account for personal circumstances, including caring responsibilities, disabilities, geographical location and international students.
In addition, there was discussion of the merits and drawbacks of classifying students as staff. According to respondents, this would improve the rights and conditions of PhD students, in terms of entitlement to pensions, parental leave, childcare and sick pay.
However, some pointed out that this may present problems such as the loss of tax-free status and fewer students being funded.
Following the consultation, UKRI said it was now drawing on the “range of insight and actively working in collaboration with the sector to develop a considered response, expected before the summer”.
Kirby-Reynolds and Munro said they would work with UKRI and PhD researchers across the country to “make sure funders and universities finally start to make the right changes, so we get a better deal for all postgraduate researchers”.
Research Professional News has approached UKRI for comment.