Hi ,

In this edition, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our PGR students at the recent YES competition. We also bring you an update about the UKRI announcement regarding their terms and conditions and highlight the additional financial support available for PGR students.

We share a new Your Behaviour Matters video from the University and Students’ Union, raising awareness about sexual violence. You will also find details about the Chancellor’s Poetry Prize, an update on industrial action and information about upcoming faith festivals. 

Don't miss out on exciting opportunities for PGR students including the next SPROUT event, the SAgE PGR Public Lecture and events from your PGR Community Hub.

🏆 PGR students triumph at YES competition  

Congratulations to all our PGR students who participated in the recent Your Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) Competition, held at the Royal Society in London. This global initiative raises awareness about commercialising ideas, with participants developing business plans for hypothetical start-ups.

Several of our PGR students achieved remarkable success, including the team DiagnosTree, who won both the Best Consideration of IP Strategy and the Social Media prize for active engagement.

UKRI announcement

For those of you who are funded by the UKRI, you may have seen the recent announcement from the UKRI in relation to their revised terms and conditions which will come into effect from the next academic year 25/26.

The Doctoral College is co-ordinating the University's response to these changes and we will be in touch before the end of this academic year to update both students and colleagues of any University policy changes resulting from these revised terms and conditions. If you have any immediate questions, please contact doctoral.awards@ncl.ac.uk.

Financial support available for PGR students

We understand that managing finances as a PGR student can be challenging. The Doctoral College has made additional hardship funding available specifically to support PGR students.

If you're experiencing unexpected financial difficulties, you may be eligible to apply for discretionary university funding to help with essential living costs.

How to apply:

• Check your eligibility and find out more about the fund.
• Complete the relevant online application form and submit any required evidence:
  • Student Financial Support Fund
  • Financial Assistance Fund
    
• The Student Financial Support Team will assess your application, and you'll usually receive a decision within 15 working days if you have provided everything required.

Need advice? Contact student.fin-supp@ncl.ac.uk. Don’t let financial worries affect your studies—reach out for support if you need it.

💬 Your Behaviour Matters: New Video on Sexual Violence

The University and Students’ Union have released a video to raise awareness about sexual violence. The video educates students on consent and the impact of sexual violence, aiming to create a safer campus by preventing incidents and encouraging active bystanders.   

By watching the video and exploring the available resources, you can help create a more respectful and supportive community. Remember, support services are available, including confidential reporting and guidance from the Student Health and Wellbeing Team and Welfare and Support Centre. Let’s work together to make Newcastle University a place where everyone feels safe and valued. 

 ✍️ Calling all potential poets

Fancy winning £250? Get ready to make your mark as the Chancellor’s Poetry Prize returns!

Submit your poem on the theme Making It New, exploring the idea of innovation and originality. Open to all current students, entries will be judged by our Chancellor, renowned poet, artist and video filmmaker, Imtiaz Dharker OBE and Neil Astley, Editor and Managing Director of Bloodaxe Books Ltd.

Industrial action update

You may be aware that on 14 February 2025, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, announced that its members would take strike action on 14 days in March.

We want to reassure you that our goal is to minimise the impact of any strike action on your educational experience and we have procedures in place to achieve this. We understand that it is an unsettling time for our community and we have the following support in place:

• Visit the Industrial Action webpage for more information and further updates.
  
  
• Let us know any questions or concerns by contacting us via our Student Enquiry Form.
  
  
• Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Please also check your University emails regularly for updates from your school. 

🌟 Upcoming faith festivals

Over the next two months, students across campus will be celebrating a variety of different faith festivals - Ramadan/Eid, Holi, Passover, Good Friday and Easter.

The Chaplaincy Team has created a collection of informative Sway Documents which look at these festivals. Please click on the festival link to learn more:

• Ramadan and Eid
• Holi
• Passover
• Good Friday and Easter

💬 You may be interested in...

Next SPROUT event

📅 Monday 3 March, 13:00-14:00  

📍 Zoom  

How do you apply for funds to support your research into sustainability?

We'll discuss finding a sustainability angle, share academic and PGR experiences and help you identify aspects of your research might attract sustainability related funding. 

SAgE PGR Public Lecture

📅 Tuesday 18 March, 17:30  

📍 Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building

Join the SAgE PGR Public Lecture - New Voices on science, agriculture and engineering. Three early-career researchers will explore new ideas through their cutting-edge research. Bookings open at 10:00 one week before the event.

Join your PGR Community Hub

The PGR Community Hub is back with more in-person and online events to help you connect with peers, share insights and make progress on your dissertation or research project!

Run by PGRs for PGRs, events are open to all PGRs from all faculties and stages.

🔗 Quick links

• As part of the PRO:NE project, an online wellbeing and mental health toolkit is being developed for PGR students. Sign up to provide feedback and receive an Amazon voucher.
  
  
• Join the University and Students’ Union for a series of Ethical Investment Q&A sessions with the University’s investment fund managers, discussing how they make environmentally and socially responsible investment decisions. 
  
  
• Need help starting or growing your business, freelance career or social enterprise? The START UP Grant Fund awards equity-free grants up to £3,000 to students with early stage business opportunities. Applications open 3-14 March.
  
  
• Do you have a side-hustle or want to start a business? The START UP team is creating a Pop-Up Shop in King’s Gate and is looking for students and recent graduates with unique products and services.
  
  
• Looking after your wellbeing just got easier! Charley, your digital wellbeing assistant in the iNCLude app, has been enhanced with new AI-powered features to provide even more personalised support whenever you need it.
  
  
• Register for Santander Open Academy, a free online learning platform, by 6 March for a chance to win a MacBook Air.
  
  
• Nominate an inspiring woman for International Women's Day and help her win a £25 campus café voucher by submitting your nomination between 3-14 March.