RISE – Rural and Regional Innovation for Sustainable SME Family Enterprises

Summary

Family-owned SMEs are vital to the economic and social fabric of Northern Ireland, particularly in rural and peripheral areas where they often provide employment, sustain local supply chains and contribute to community resilience. Yet many of these businesses face challenges associated with their location, including limited access to innovation support, business networks, specialist knowledge and opportunities for growth.

RISE will explore how rural and regionally dispersed family SMEs can be better supported to innovate, build capability and remain sustainable across generations. The project will examine the barriers and opportunities these businesses face in areas such as digital adoption, innovation, leadership and management development, access to external support, networking and succession planning.

Working closely with family businesses and regional stakeholders, the researcher will undertake a needs assessment and engage with firms through workshops, knowledge-exchange activities and peer-learning opportunities. The project will also explore how rural family SMEs can connect more effectively with Northern Ireland’s wider innovation ecosystem, including universities, further education, business support organisations and programmes designed to stimulate innovation and productivity.

The research will generate practical insights for participating businesses while also contributing to wider debates around regional economic development, SME resilience, family business continuity and place-based innovation. Outputs are expected to include case studies, practical resources and a good-practice framework that can inform future business support and policy.

This project would particularly suit an applicant interested in family business, entrepreneurship, SMEs, innovation, rural and regional development, or business sustainability, and who enjoys applied research with strong engagement with businesses and policy stakeholders.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.