Fusion Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training
Join our Centre for Doctoral Training and lead the UK's fusion energy revolution.
Get in touchDiscover the Centre
The Fusion Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is a 4-year EngD programme that will develop the UK ‘fusioneer’ community.
Working together with the Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training Education & Research (FOSTER) programme at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the UK industry supply chain, we offer bespoke training for UK STEM graduates, to learn how to design, build and operate the first UK fusion energy power plant.
STEP Forward to Fusion - Official Brand Launch Film
Introducing STEP: The UK-led programme driving the future of fusion energy. An initiative aimed at shaping sustainable power and positioning the UK at the forefront of global energy innovation.
Academic - industry networking event
Monday 7 April at The University of Manchester - meet the industrial supporters to the CDT and discuss the engineering challenges for fusion energy.
Students recruited into the Fusion Engineering CDT are expected to work in the fusion industry sector for the next 40 years, where they will face huge challenges and knowledge gaps, at a scale we’ve never encountered before.
The Centre will cultivate fusioneers who are ready to tackle these critical challenges for fusion energy. With training delivered by world-leading experts, we’re creating a workforce with the skills to design, build, and operate fusion power plants – who are able to make an immediate contribution.
Professor Lee Margetts, Fusion Engineering CDT Principal Investigator / The University of Manchester
EngD projects open for recruitment to join us in September 2025
Our projects span 10 key themes; Advanced manufacture, artificial intelligence, computation, construction, control, maintenance, modelling, qualification, safety, and simulation.
EngD projects open to applications will be advertised here, through FindaPhD for September 2025 cohort entry. Projects will be based at many UK universities on a part-time and full-time basis, with a tax-free stipend and ‘Home’ tuition fees scholarship.
Check back here for updates.
I am delighted that after a very competitive bidding process, we have been able to select an academic team to embark on this exciting collaboration, which will supercharge the development of specialist engineering skills for the fusion sector. The programme combines international research excellence with deep fusion engineering expertise, and we look forward to working together in the coming years to build a world-leading platform for fusion engineering training.
A particular highlight of this collaboration is the Fusion Engineering CDT Associate Membership scheme which will provide PhD support to a wider landscape of universities who share our commitment to invest in the future of fusion energy.
Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER Programme Director / UK Atomic Energy Authority
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