PandemicPGRs has launched a report today (08 February 2021) outlining its response to the most recent policy from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on support for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report, Falling Short, details how UKRI has failed to offer sufficient or appropriate help to researchers who are being left behind in the current crisis.

UKRI’s Phase 2 Doctoral Funding Extension Policy is inadequate. It disregards the needs PGRs have for funded extensions to be able to continue and complete their projects, and presents qualifying criteria for extensions which are unfair, inflexible, and non-inclusive.

The impact of UKRI’s decision will have a knock-on effect for researchers funded from other sources, and for self-funded researchers, as research institutions will use UKRI’s policy as a model for their own.

Take a look at our full report and the executive summary for more info, and to see our recommendations for UKRI, government and universities.

You can help us get the right support for all PhD students.

We have created some tools that you can use to spread the word. We know there are other ideas out there too - get in touch if you’d like to get involved.

How can I help?

· Send our report to your DTP/C Director, Head of Graduate School or others at your university using our template letter here

· Send our report to your local MP using our template letter here

· Share the report with your followers on Twitter - tag @PandemicPGRs!

· Take a look at our previous letters and other info on our linktree here.

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**Thanks to everyone who’s helped out and spread the word so far. We’ll keep you updated as we hear back from UKRI, MPs and other stakeholders.