New UKRI terms do more to acknowledge the diversity of PhD researchers

UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) 8% increase to their minimum PhD stipend levels from October won’t exactly leave PhD students flush with cash. The stipend of £20,780 is around £100 more than the yearly earnings of someone working 37.5 hours a week on the living wage after income tax and national insurance have been deducted.

Despite the link to the living wage, PhD students will still not be classed as employees, meaning they’ll lack other financial benefits such as pension contributions. However, other changes that UKRI is making to the terms and conditions of its training grants will offer support that surpasses the minimum required from UK employers – especially for researchers with disabilities or who need to take a break from their PhD.