Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology

If you would like to do research-based study and would also like to work with industry on a project that will be product and / or process orientated, you should find out more about the Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship.

CAST awards

CAST awards support research students and encourage partnerships between academic institutions and private sector industries, which jointly develop the projects.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to solving a scientifically significant challenge identified by the industry partner, while gaining valuable experience working and studying within a professional industrial environment.

Student eligibility requirements and basic rates of grant and allowances are the same as other Department for the Economy Postgraduate Award (PGA) Scheme awards.

Suitable projects

CAST awards can be made for a wide variety of project work in Science and Technology, ranging from research to design and manufacturing problems. Support for three years may be available if your research project is either product or process orientated.

How the scheme operates

CAST awards, if available, will be advertised by the universities each year. Candidates should apply online for admission and funding to the university at which the particular project is offered by the published closing date.

Further information

For further details, contact:

The Graduate School,
Queen’s University Belfast,
University Road,
Belfast,
BT7 1NN.

Telephone: 028 9097 2585
Email: pgawards@qub.ac.uk

Ulster University Doctoral College,
Ulster University,
Cromore Road,
Coleraine,
Co. Londonderry,
BT52 1SA.

Telephone: 028 7012 4729
Email: researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk

Department for the Economy,
Higher Education Research and Knowledge Exchange Branch,
Adelaide House,
Adelaide Street,
Belfast,
BT2 8FD.

Email: Research.Branch@economy-ni.gov.uk

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?

report a problem

leave feedback

ask a question

Report a problem

Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

A link, button or video is not working

There is a spelling mistake

Information is missing, outdated or wrong

I can't find what I'm looking for

Another issue

This is the official government website for Northern Ireland. You will not receive a reply. nidirect will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Do not include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card, or phone numbers.

If information about a GP practice is missing, outdated or wrong, email Business Services Organisation (BSO) at: professionalsupportteam@hscni.net.

Tell nidirect more about the problem you're having with the website.

Enter your feedback

What is your question about?

Choose a topic for your question:

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit. Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or comments about a GP practice, contact the practice directly. If information about the GP practice is missing, outdated or wrong, email Business Services Organisation (BSO) at: professionalsupportteam@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about your GRONI account, email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme, email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.

Extra comments (optional)

Translation help

Select a language