The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is launching doctoral studentships in quantum technologies, robotics and energy and sustainability. Recruitment is under way for 4,400 students as part of the £764-million (US$1.25-billion) scheme. The council announced 3,500 studentships last November and 900 this month, and is spending £390 million to operate 91 new Centres for Doctoral Training across 30 UK universities. Funders include universities and industrial and private partners, where awardees will study and do research. UK research funding has been relatively protected despite austerity policies in recent years, says Lesley Thompson, director of sciences and engineering at the EPSRC.