I am currently making an application for a fully funded PhD with an tax-free stipend of 12.5K. The supervisor has insisted that being a mature student (I am only 35!) more money would be available. Does anyone have examples or experience of negotiating up the value of a stipend because of their circumstances? And do supervisors have the autonomy to adjust allocations they receive from research councils to support preferred candidates? Any thoughts?

Negotiating your stipend from a research council is not possible. They have set rules for allocation of funding and will stick to them. This does not mean that you won't be able to claim extra money according to your circumstances, it just means you'll either qualify for extra money or you won't. What are your circumstances and which research council is providing your funding?

A few supervisors, with very large research groups have large slush funds. It is not unheard of for them to use this money to support students, but this usually only occurs when a candidates grant has run out and they need some extra time to do research. Very few supervisors are in a position to do this - if you don't want to give a very bad impression then we would not recommend broaching this subject.

University hardship funds can be applied for. Each university has a different policy on allocation, but the best advice would probably be to apply early.

I'm not sure FindAPhD team are completely correct here. While money is allocated to a department from a research council according to a formula, it is up to that department on how they spend it, at least in the case of the EPSRC

Quote from EPSRC:

"Doctoral training grants have been introduced by EPSRC in order to provide universities with maximum flexibility in managing their research studentship population. We allocate DTAs as equivalent cash sums to university departments, opening up a wide range of options in the way that funds are used. For example, universities are free to offer stipends above EPSRC's required minimum, or can offer longer support than the usual three years if a project required it..."

Well spotted Mac, you're absolutely right, doctoral training accounts do work differently and do give the freedom to departments to award higher stipends. DTAs are relatively new and we should have double checked the rules for all research councils before replying.

The particular PhD is funded by the EPRSC. I am married with 3 dependant children and am therefore having to make a terribly difficult decision re giving up well paid work and 'comfortable' life to following my passion and three years of 'not so comfortable'life. Any additional alocation above the 12.5k would make a huge amount of difference.

I should have said - thanks for the advice.

Remember also that assisting with teaching/supervising or marking/invigilation is often well paid for the hours required. Income generated in this way can add significantly to your income. I guess its worth asking your prospective supervisor about the opportunities at your university.

It seems that everyone is getting a higher stipend me!!! But least I don't have a family support!

It sounds like your grant is indeed an EPSRC doctoral training account. This means that the university is not obliged to provide you with an increased grant, however we would expect some additional funding to be available. It might be worth contacting the supervisor again to find out how much is on offer.