EPRC is seeking applications for a PhD studentship to investigate the effectiveness of financial instruments in peripheral and rural regions in north-western Europe.
The context of the research is academic and policy debate on the role of financial instruments (loan, guarantee and equity instruments) in addressing regional disparities in access to finance for business. The PhD is intended to investigate the differential access to finance in peripheral and rural areas, in particular the sparsely populated regions of north-western Europe, the distinctive characteristics of financial investment needs, and the effectiveness of regional policy responses involving different types of financial instruments.
The PhD is intended to involve cross-country comparative research, drawing on case studies from Scotland, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Alongside its theoretical contribution, the PhD should incorporate a strong policy focus, drawing lessons for policymakers at European, national and sub-national scales on the use of financial instruments in peripheral and rural areas.
Further details are available here.