General Information

Acknowledging your funding

Every output, including presentations, posters and papers must include an acknowledgement to your funding. This should be in the following format: “The author wishes to acknowledge the funding received for this research from industry sponsor (add name), The University of (add home institution name) and UK Atomic Energy.”

Accommodation booking

To arrange your accommodation (and travel) for CDT training (Protium, Tritium, Placement or Conferences & Summer Schools) - you must use Key Travel at the University of Manchester. Please use guidance on the Budgets page to see the process and relevant information.

Approval to publish

All published work must be given prior approval by your academic and industry supervisors. In some cases the terms of the studentship contract allows the industry partner to request information is withheld to protect intellectual property rights, and these must be respected. You must allow adequate time for your industry sponsor to approve all published work (presentations, posters, papers) prior to submission deadlines.

Annual Leave

Please book your annual leave using this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KvCCnINFi7BLV8OxdeBQYu7mEFu94OYlohAyTfQ-jbE/edit. This will help Fran and Sharon plan the timing of cohort activities that everyone is able to attend.

Code of Practice

The PGR Guidance is unique to each university - and provides support for postgraduate research students, supervisors, and Schools on undertaking and managing postgraduate research (PGR) studies.

Cohort Contacts

Manchester University

Sheffield University

  • 2025 Cohort Matthew Davies: MMJDavies1@sheffield.ac.uk with Professor Jon Wilmott & PyrOptik ‘Remote robotic welding guided by reliable, non-contact, emissivity-independent temperature imaging and machine vision’

  • 2025 Cohort Samuel Forbes-Fairfax: SEForbes-Fairfax1@sheffield.ac.uk with Dr Emma Heywood & UKAEA ‘Identifying and implementing optimum information methods to promote understanding and engagement amongst populations regarding fusion energy and the engineering activities of a new fusion powerplant’

Birmingham University

  • 2025 Cohort Jack Mcevilly: JXM1370@student.bham.ac.uk with Dr Biao Cai & UKAEA ‘Design and Additive Manufacturing of Heat Sinks for Fusion Reactors’

  • 2025 Cohort Shurie McMahon: sem501@student.bham.ac.uk with Dr Leonardo Stella & EPRI ‘Assessing Fusion Performance Limits of Vanadium Alloy E-beam Welds for Breeder Blanket Systems’

Liverpool University

  • 2025 Cohort Ethan Cardall: sgecard2@liverpool.ac.uk with Dr Kirsty McKay & Rolls Royce ‘Modifying Surfaces of Non-Metallics to Improve their Longevity or Functionality by Atmospheric Plasma Processing’

Associate Universities

  • 2025 Cohort Eron Hoti: rnh25kfq@bangor.ac.uk with Dr Tessa Davey (Bangor) & UKAEA ‘Understanding phase decomposition in SMART-W alloys in a fusion power plant environment’

  • 2025 Cohort Mohammad Aldahi:m.aldahi26@imperial.ac.uk with Dr Christos Skamniotis (Imperial College) & UKAEA ‘Probabilistic lifetime assessment of Breeding Blankets under irradiated conditions’

  • 2025 Cohort Prajwal Bharadwaj: 2337862@swansea.ac.uk with Professor Perumal Nithiarasu (Swansea) & UKAEA ‘Multi-Fidelity Simulation Ensembles for Near Real-time Failure Prediction in Digital Twins’

  • 2025 Cohort Samson Shaji Varghese: 2345740@swansea.ac.uk with Professor Perumal Nithiarasu (Swansea) & UKAEA ‘A real-time PINN-based computational framework for data integration and digital twinning’.

  • 2025 Cohort Shiam Chuttoo: s.chuttoo@lboro.ac.uk with Professor Michael Henshaw & UKAEA ‘An Open Architecture Framework for Fusion’

Driving

The University of Manchester policy is that the use of private vehicles for work is only permitted when all other means of transport i.e. trains, buses etc. are impractical, as per the University’s sustainable travel policy. If you wish to travel by car, you must first make sure you have permission from your University (some use an authorised drivers system) and have suitable business insurance. You must also seek permission in advance from the CDT, explaining the rationale for your request. Fuel / mileage can be expensed up to the cost of a standard class rail card off-peak return rail ticket from your home university.

Expense Claims

Subsistence Bursary - Protium training programme 2026

During the 10-week CDT Protium Training Programme (Monday 28th September to Friday 18th December, plus one ‘reading week’), all students in the 2026 cohort will have a stipend uplift paid directly into their nominated bank account (at the University of Manchester). The bursary covers subsistence costs to attend the weekly in-person CDT training sessions. Please note;

  • the subsistence bursary is a fixed amount of £60 per week, to cover all food and drink costs incurred for inperson attendance on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If additinoal days are required the subistence will be enhanced as required.

  • you do not have to take any action to receive the bursary - it will be paid into your nominated bank account at The University of Manchester - please ensure you add your bank details when you register

  • you do not have to submit any receipts for expenses incurred.

  • it is only paid for the weeks that you are travelling to another campus for in-person training, therefore some students will receive a higher bursary value than others

  • It is paid in two parts - early October and mid-November

  • if you miss a CDT training week, the value of excess bursary will be deducted from future bursary payments or expense claims.

  • no subsistence claims will be allowed during this period.

  • the bursary does not apply during the ‘reading week’ (9-13th November)

Expenses during other CDT training & workshops

  • Accommodation and travel must be organised through the Key Travel service (see Key Travel further down this page). You will need a Key Travel profile using your @manchester email to propose accomodation and or train bookings, which will be forwarded within the Key Travel system to Fran for review and approve.

  • Please ensure that you complete the Proposal Form to secure authorisation for either a Placement or Conference before using Key Travel.

  • If you book accommodation or train travel yourself your expenses claim will be rejected.

  • You must seek prior approval (before the date of travel) to claim mileage where train travel is a reasonable option.

  • If training is held at your host university, no travel, accommodation or expense claims can be accepted.

  • All expenses should be submitted in a single PR7 form to Fran (frances.rocca@manchester.ac.uk) once per month - these will be processed at the end of each month. Expense Claim form

    • Email the the PR7 form and associated receipts to Fran.

    • Non-UoM students- Fran will return the completed form, approvals and receipts to you. You will then need to email all documents to the Fees and Expenses Team at feesandexpenses.people@manchester.ac.uk and cc Fran.

    • UoM students- follow this Guidance

    • Example of the expense claim form with highlights for the sections you need.

    • Expenses cannot be accepted for receipts dated >3 months ago.

General expense rules:

  • Under no circumstances can any alcohol be expensed

  • Clear, dated and itemised receipts are essential. Claims will be rejected by the university finaince teams without an itemised and dated receipt. We recommend that you take a photo of all receipts immediately.

  • Taxi fares cannot be claimed where there is a reasonable public transport option available. If travelling alone late at night or once it is dark, please use common sense to consider when you should use a taxi rather than public transport. If it is practical to share a taxi journey with other CDT students, we expect you to do so.

  • Subsistence limits for meals are as follows;

    • Breakfast: £5 - note that this can only be claimed when travel starts before 7am

    • Lunch: £10

    • Dinner: £20 - note that this can be claimed when travel ends after 7pm

    • No ad hoc snacks or drinks can be claimed

  •  Subsistence claims are only eligible away from home - hence food delivery to your home when returning from a trip is not eligible.

  • The Fees & Expenses team aim for a 4-week turnaround, but this can be longer during busy periods.

  • You may only claim for the cost of a meal for yourself.

  • Meal claims over the budgets will be capped.

  • Rail card purchase costs cannot be claimed

Expenses during project-related activities should be submitted to your academic supervisor at your host university, and will be charged to your project consumables budget

Export control

There is a service available to universities that provides expert guidance on all export control matters - HERSA (formally HEECA). If you have any export control queries outside of projects sponsored by UKAEA, then HERSA will be a good asset. 

Governance of the CDT

The CDT programme is managed and operated in accordance with the policies, principles, regulations and procedures of the partner Universities.

The day-to-day management of the programme is handled by the CDT Management Group. The management group takes overall responsibility for all matters related to running the course as well as outreach, recruitment, and finance for the CDT.

The CDT reports to UKAEA and is overseen by several governance committees;

  • Industrial Expert & Advisory Board - meets twice a year, and is co-chaired by Dr Emre Yildirim (Tokamak Energy) and Dr Sehila Gonzalez (Clean Air Task Force). It is comprised of every company that has offered in-kind or cash support to the CDT and the CDT management Group.

  • Operations Committee - meets six times a year, and is chaired by Dr Nick Walkden, Head of FOSTER at UKAEA, and is comprised of the FOSTER Programme Manager Dr Steph Wood and the CDT Management Group.

  • Student Voice Committee - will meet twice a year, from January 2026, to promotes open discussion between CDT staff and students and a forum to raise issues regarding CDT teaching, student experience, research equipment and facilities.

Interruption of Studies/Leave of Absence

In general, we will follow the Terms and Conditions for training grants awarded by UKRI.

  • We defer to the interruptions/leave of absence policy of the student’s host institution for postgraduate research students.

  • Students should discuss any circumstances that may result in them making a request for an interruption with their supervisor and the CDT Manager in the first instance.

  • Interruptions/leave of absence should not normally exceed 12 months during the full period of the programme.

  • Students are eligible for maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay. The policy of the student’s host institution and UKRI will be followed and payments will be made at the discretion of the CDT Directors.

Mental Health Support

If you feel able to do so, any complaints should first be raised with the relevant member of staff – often the supervisor is a good person to provide advice on how to best do this. Students are also welcome to raise any concerns with either or both the CDT Director (Lee Margetts) and the Deputy Director (Russell Goodall) if they prefer. Should you not wish to approach an academic member of staff, Sharon Brown is the designated non-academic contact for any complaints or concerns.

Formal complaints at any University will be handled through the complaints system at the University where the incident occurred, who will then alert the CDT Manager for action by the CDT Director. Each University agrees to co-operate and to take reasonable steps to address any student complaint that is received.

Report + Support – University of Liverpool

Report + Support – University of Manchester

Report + Support – University of Sheffield

Report + Support - University of Birmingham

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unreferenced use of other authors’ material in your assignments and thesis. If you reference other people’s work it must be acknowledged clearly. The universities’ regulations state very clearly that plagiarism is a serious academic offence and the consequences of committing such an offence are severe. All students should read the guidance notes on plagiarism and academic malpractice for their home institution. If you are in any doubt you must seek guidance from your supervisor.

Stipend Payments

Stipends are paid direct to student bank accounts by the host university from 1st October every year, so please make sure that your bank details are correct in your student record and that you have re-enrolled each year.

Student Voice

As part of the feedback systems for you to have the best student experience in the CDT, we have a Student Voice Committee (SVC).

Student Voice Committee Terms of Reference

The role of the Student Voice Committee (SVC) :

  • provides a forum for the exchange of opinions and information between Fusion Engineering CDT Directors/Investigators and its PGR students.

  • considers matters referred to it by any PGR or member of academic staff directly involved in the CDT (a PGR supervisor or member of the Management Group).

  • will meet three times per year (autumn, winter, spring)

  • Will have its student representatives self-selected each year.

Administration

  • Two Student Co-Chairs shall be nominated by its members.

  • A Committee Secretary role shall be filled by the CDT Administrator, unless there is a PGR volunteer.

  • Minutes of SVC meetings will be circulated by the Committee Secretary to members and added to the CDT PGR Handbook.

  • Topics for discussion at meetings should be submitted to the Secretary by email

  • Individuals raising or forming discussions shall be given anonymity by all members

  • Matters arising may be escalated when required by the CDT Student Experience Lead (Professor Chris Race, University of Sheffield) to the CDT Director (Professor Lee Margetts, University of Manchester).

  • Matters arising that are outside the control of the CDT shall be cascaded by the CDT Student Experience Lead to external staff as required.

  • The *Inagugural SVC meeting each year shall be arranged within the Proteum training programme to facilitate in-person attendance by the full Year 1 cohort.

Membership

  • Student Co-Chairs - two persons to be elected by PGRs from any cohort

  • Academic Co-Chairs - CDT Student Experience Lead and a CDT supervisor or member of the CDT management Group

  • Cohort Representatives - to be elected from any cohort (no upper limit to membership)

  • Committee Secretary - CDT Administrator

Election of Student Representatives

  • Elections to the Committee take place at the start of the autumn semester and all students may self-nominate. There is no upper limit to membership.

  • A student representative from each Hub university and an Associate University should be secured.

Roles and responsibilities

  • Student Representatives and Student Co-Chairs shall attend Committee Meetings online or in person, representing issues which affect student experience.

  • The Co-Chairs shall be invited to attend the CDTs other governance meetings [CDT Management Group, Strategic Operations Meeting, Industrial Expert & Advisory Board] as required to share student feedback and cascade matters arising.

  • The Committee Secretary shall advise all students of forthcoming meetings and encourage them to raise matters with their local Representative, or contact them directly with matters for the agenda.

Thesis Submission

Students should be aware that the theses must be submitted within 4 years of initial registration. A doctoral thesis must be presented in accordance with the home institution’s guidelines. It is important that students and their supervisor come to agreement on the style and content of the thesis as soon as possible so that a well-defined work programme can be established with this deadline in mind.

Travel (CDT training)

Students cannot book their own travel for CDT training activities - it can only be booked through Key Travel at the University of Manchester. The Key Travel Portal allows you to "look but not book" to see the options available, produce an itinerary and share it. Students should ensure they do the following so that a booking can be made without delay.

Helpful links

When you book travel you are agreeing that you are responsible for complying with the University Travel Policy, including undertaking an appropriate travel risk assessment and seeking pre-travel approval, prior to making travel arrangements (as outlined above).  Your trip may not be covered by the University travel insurance if you have not acted in accordance with the University Travel Policy.

Uni Travel Insurance for Students Undertaking Work or Study Placements

University of Manchester Travel Policy

Travellers should follow the travel flowchart and comply with the University Travel Policy. For trips to high risk countries, travellers must seek appropriate approval before travel. Further information on the University Travel Policy can be found on Travel.

In the event of any emergency or medical incident, whether or not it may lead to a claim, travellers should seek medical advice and/or obtain assistance by calling the AIG Assistance Team directly on tel: +44(0)1273 727416. For non-emergency situations, email the Insurance Office.