AWE supports major expansion of nuclear doctoral training
AWE is supporting an expansion of UK nuclear doctoral training through a new suite of Doctoral Focal Awards (DFAs), strengthening the skills pipeline essential to delivering our mission, now and in the future, and sustaining national nuclear capability as part of the wider defence enterprise.
The investment responds directly to the Nuclear Skills Plan, launched in May 2024, which called for a fourfold increase in nuclear fission doctoral students to address critical skills shortages across civil and defence programmes and to replace an ageing workforce. Backed by £65.6 million of government funding and delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Doctoral Focal Awards are match‑funded by industry and represent a major investment in UK nuclear research and training capacity.
As a leading industry partner in defence with strong and enduring links with UK academia, AWE will play a pivotal role in bringing together academic expertise, cohort‑based training and applied research aligned to real‑world challenges. Students will develop advanced technical skills across the whole lifecycle of the UK’s defence nuclear programme and the nuclear fission lifecycle.
AWE Executive Director, Professor Andrew Randewich CBE, says: “This announcement is excellent news for AWE’s critical national mission, the defence enterprise and UK skills as part of the National Endeavour. Nuclear skills, science and technology underpin the UK’s civil and defence nuclear programmes, from clean energy and net zero ambitions to sustaining sovereign defence capability.
“By investing early in doctoral talent, AWE is helping to ensure a resilient pipeline of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) to support long‑term national security, nuclear innovation and economic growth.
“We were proud to be invited as partner with all of the successful university bids and look forward to developing nuclear projects that support our technical programme within the DFAs.”
Find out more here.
