Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have extend the provision of funding for postgraduate research students funded by UK Research and Innovation whose studies have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government is aware of the consequent pressures of COVID-19 on universities and research institutions. This is a difficult time for all - both undergraduate and post graduate students, academic staff and researchers. BEIS is working with Department for Education and others to consider how best to support researchers, universities, the research community and research institutions.
UKRI has confirmed it?will?offer a costed extension of up to six months for those?PhD students?due to complete by 31 March 2021 and whose study has been impacted by the pandemic. ?This will apply to those who have redeployed to work on COVID-19 related research or other action to support the response.
UKRI has also introduced processes for supporting grant awardees to switch their funding to support COVID-19 priorities.