The ENSURE initiative was pioneered by Loughborough University and has been running successfully since 2002. Awards have previously been offered to engineering undergraduates from any UK university in the penultimate year of their degree programme. However, the Innovative Manufacturing and Construction Research Centre (IMCRC) can now fund students from any country, in research areas within its remit (see eligibility for further details).

Purpose

The purpose of this scheme is to provide undergraduates with an opportunity to experience PhD style research first hand and encourage them to consider a career in research.

Nature of the awards

The scheme provides a tax free stipend of £2,000 over a ten week period.

Eligibility

See link on home page or tab above.

Method of Selection

The scheme is competitive and applications will be judged primarily on merits. Preference will be given to students who are expected to get a good degree and who are considering a career in research, but who have not yet had the opportunity to experience research. Selection procedure may require applicants to be called for interviews.

Project period

The research programme will commence in early July and end mid-September (the actual start date will depend on the needs of the researcher and supervisor).

Nature of projects

Student researchers will gain valuable research experiences through individual research projects under the supervision of an academic member of staff and a structured research training programme. Each student researcher will be assigned to an individual and specific research project at Loughborough. Projects will provide opportunities for high quality interaction between the student researchers, research staff and students, and access to appropriate facilities and professional development opportunities. Development of collegial relationships and student-staff interactions and student-student communication is an important part of the project.

Final reporting

Student researchers will present the outcome of their research in written, oral and poster forms. A final report will be submitted by the student within the last week of the programme. The final week of the project will also include a poster exhibition and an oral presentation session by the participating students to an audience consisting of all ENSURE students, supervisors, other researchers and academic staff, as well as invited guests.

Closing Date

There is no closing date for applications which will remain open until places are filled, but we would like to receive applications for the summer vacation period no later than the first week in June, to be able to finalise decisions in good time to start the programme.

Enquiries

If you have a specific question or query not covered by the website email: enquiries@loughborough-ensure.co.uk