This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Jun 2026 at 10:57

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Strathclyde is inviting tenders for the provision of a comprehensive Researcher Development Programme and Centre of Doctoral Training, encompassing 6 distinct lots. This opportunity is classified under the education and training services industry, with a focus on enhancing skills for postgraduate and doctorate students. Key dates for the procurement process include the tender period ending on 20th July 2026, with the bidding to be opened on the same date. The procurement method employed is an open procedure, indicating transparency and broad accessibility. The programme will be delivered primarily in Glasgow, UK, aiming to appoint suppliers capable of fulfilling various educational service needs.

This tender represents a significant business opportunity, particularly for firms specialising in educational and training services. With an overall contract value of £375,000, suppliers have the potential to secure involvement in multiple lots, each with a focus on different aspects of researcher development such as communication, writing, and professional skills. Companies with strong expertise in delivering educational programmes, particularly those with experience in academia and research training, would find this tender an ideal prospect. Offering a mix of quality and economic competitiveness will be crucial, as the award criteria balance both aspects equally. Successful bidders will have the chance to forge long-term collaborative relationships with a leading educational institution while enhancing their portfolio in delivering comprehensive training programmes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

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

Notice Description

The University of Strathclyde is seeking to appoint 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b7c9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057451-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20262 months 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
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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