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Provision of Researcher Development Program & Centre of Doctoral Training - 6 Lots

University of Strathclyde

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

16 Oct 2026 at 16:48

Award Notice
Tender

18 Jun 2026 at 10:57

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Strathclyde bought researcher-development training for postgraduate and doctoral students, delivered in Glasgow. Six lots covered general communication for public and professional audiences; academic communication, including presentations, posters and viva preparation; researcher wellbeing and personal effectiveness; general writing; academic writing for theses, publications and grant applications; and a Centre for Doctoral Training programme. The doctoral programme required a structured, in-person pathway across the four years of study, with interactive workshops tailored to applied quantum technologies and related research. Across the lots, the purpose was to build researchers’ communication, writing, professional and transferable skills through course packages suited to their academic and career needs.

The procurement is complete and contracts are active. The University used an open procedure, with bids due by 20 July 2026. Contracts were signed on 15 October 2026. The stated procurement value was £375,000. Separate contract awards were made: Skillfluence Limited received general communication (£23,700), researcher development and wellbeing (£22,909), academic writing (£19,400) and the Centre for Doctoral Training programme (£82,965); Anchored In received academic communication (£23,887.90) and general writing (£14,082.90). Each lot has a 24-month term, with up to two further 12-month extensions at the University’s discretion. Evaluation gave equal weight to quality and price. Bidders needed average annual turnover of at least £50,000 across the previous three years, specified insurance cover and three relevant examples of recent work.

This demand suits providers able to design and deliver practical researcher-development courses across communication, writing, wellbeing and professional skills. Credible suppliers need to adapt content for postgraduate researchers from varied disciplines, while covering defined learning needs rather than offering generic training. The doctoral programme particularly calls for in-person, interactive workshops; a coherent four-year development pathway; and the ability to tailor examples to applied quantum technologies without displacing existing technical or academic provision. Providers must show relevant delivery experience through comparable examples and meet the stated financial and insurance thresholds. The awards show that the University used multiple specialist suppliers across the six subject areas, with quality and price carrying equal weight.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Researcher Development Program & Centre of Doctoral Training - 6 Lots

Notice Description

The University of Strathclyde has awarded a contract to selected suppliers to provide packages of training courses tailored for postgraduate and doctorate students and covering various topics grouped into 6 Lots.

Lot Information

Communicating: Academic

This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop effective communication skills within academic and research contexts. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to communicate their research clearly and confidently to academic audiences through a range of formal and informal formats. Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum: - Academic presentation skills, including introductory and more advanced approaches - Poster design and poster presentation - Preparation for the viva examination - Short format research communication, such as Three Minute Thesis-style presentations Suppliers will consider how academic communication conventions may vary across disciplines and career Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Thriving in Your Research

This Lot focuses on supporting researchers' personal effectiveness, wellbeing, and ability to sustain progress throughout the doctoral journey. The emphasis of this Lot is on equipping researchers with practical tools and approaches to sustain progress, manage challenges, and navigate the expectations and demands of doctoral study. Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum: - Understanding and navigating the doctoral research journey, including expectations, milestones, and common challenges - Time, workload, and self-management strategies appropriate for independent research - Strategies for addressing confidence, imposter syndrome, and researcher identity - Resilience, wellbeing, and sustainable working practices - General professional skills that support effective research practice and progression Provision will be inclusive and sensitive to the varied experiences of researchers across disciplines and stages. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Writing: General

This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop general writing skills that are applicable across disciplinary, academic, and professional contexts. The emphasis is on improving clarity, style, and effectiveness in writing through practical techniques that support researchers' broader development. Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum: - Writing styles and techniques applicable across contexts - Reflective and narrative writing - Editing strategies, tools, and techniques to improve written work Courses will be suitable for researchers from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Writing: Academic

This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop academic writing skills for doctoral level research outputs and publication related activity. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to produce clear, well structured, and discipline appropriate academic writing across different stages of their doctoral studies. Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum: - Writing for publication in academic journals across a range of disciplinary contexts (e.g. STEAM, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business) - Conducting and writing literature reviews - Structuring and developing academic writing for the thesis - Writing for research funding or grant applications Suppliers may propose cross disciplinary provision or discipline adapted approaches where appropriate. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Centre for Doctoral Training Programme

The successful supplier will work directly with the CDT Management Team to deliver a structured programme of professional and transferable skills development for CDT doctoral researchers. The supplier will be required to: - Deliver a defined cohort-based development pathway across Years 1-4 of doctoral study; - Deliver training fully in-person at the University campuses or agreed locations; - Deliver highly interactive, workshop-based training suitable for STEM and interdisciplinary doctoral researchers; - Tailor examples, activities, scenarios, and case studies to the context of applied quantum technologies and related research environments; - Complement existing technical and academic provision rather than duplicate it; - Work collaboratively with the CDT Management Team to refine delivery while maintaining the agreed programme structure. The supplier will be responsible for designing and delivering course content that: - Addresses the stated themes and learning aims of the CDT programme; - Reflects current good practice in researcher development and higher education training; - Supports active participation, collaboration, and practical skills development; - Is inclusive, accessible, and suitable for a diverse postgraduate researcher population; - Demonstrates clear progression in skills and development across the four-year programme. Suppliers will demonstrate how the programme develops researchers progressively from transition into doctoral study through to leadership, industry engagement, and career transition. Tailoring will focus on contextual relevance and delivery approach and will not substantially alter the overall structure, sequencing, or intended learning outcomes of the programme. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Communicating: General

This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop effective communication skills for public, professional, and non academic contexts. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to communicate their work, expertise, and professional identity clearly and confidently to a range of audiences beyond the academic community. Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum: - Public engagement and outreach - Developing and communicating a personal voice or professional profile - Effective and responsible use of social media - Building and engaging with professional and external networks Courses will be relevant to researchers across disciplines and career aspirations. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Options: In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.

Renewal: The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its discretion.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b7c9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098192-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

80500000 - Training services

80510000 - Specialist training services

80521000 - Training programme services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£375,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£186,943 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
In 2029

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Strathclyde
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G1 1XU
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Skillfluence

Anchored In Ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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