UK

Prior information notice

Information

Published

Expire date: 28/10/2025

External Reference: 2025-599392

FTS Reference: 2025-053134

Prior information notice

Prior information notice

Services

This notice is for prior information only

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

UK Atomic Energy Authority
N/A
Culham Science Centre
Oxfordshire
OX14 3DB
UK
Contact person: Jonny Adams
Telephone: +12 35528822
E-mail: jonny.adams@ukaea.uk
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es):
Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority
Address of the buyer profile: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814

I.3)

Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at:  
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=97676&B=UKAEA
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
I.4)

Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law
I.5)

Main activity

Other activity:  Fusion Research

Section II: Object

II.1)

Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)

Title

FOSTER Programme Industry PhD Support Scheme 2025
Reference number:  T/GW99/25
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

73110000  -  Research services
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Services
II.1.4)

Short description

The Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) programme is an ambitious national fusion skills programme delivered by UKAEA on behalf of the UK fusion sector. FOSTER’s mission is to train over 2000 people by 2030, ready to take roles within the fusion industry.
II.1.5)

Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 480000.00  GBP
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: no
II.2)

Description

II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

73110000  -  Research services
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Culham Campus
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

The Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) programme is an ambitious national fusion skills programme delivered by UKAEA on behalf of the UK fusion sector. FOSTER’s mission is to train over 2000 people by 2030, ready to take roles within the fusion industry. The intention is to work with universities, businesses, and international partners to increase the number of apprentice and graduate, postgraduate and doctoral, and post-doctoral opportunities within the fusion skills ecosystem in the UK. One mechanism being used to support an increase in PhD numbers is through the FOSTER Programme’s Industry PhD Support Scheme Awards. These Awards will contribute a fixed sum towards the cost of a fusion related PhD in a UK university that commences by 31st December 2026. There are two tiers of award values available under this initiative: 2 awards of £65,000 are designated specifically for small businesses (less than 50 full-time employees), while the remaining awards are valued at £40,000 and are open to all eligible applicants. The application form must detail the full cost of the project and show how the remaining balance of funding will be provided. PhD topics should be beneficial to the wider UK fusion sector i.e. not only relevant to one specific fusion device. PhD projects that are already underway, as collaborations between a university and an industry partner, but experiencing existential financial difficulties may also be proposed for consideration.
II.3)

Estimated date of publication of contract notice:

17/11/2025

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement : yes
IV.2)

Administrative information

Section VI: Complementary information