 Initially, DTCs were regarded as a strategic mechanism for increasing capacity in interdisciplinary research activities such as the life sciences interface and complexity science, areas that were difficult to locate within a traditional University's departmental organisation.By 2009, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) had widened its focus, announcing funding for 50 new DTCs spanning its entire remit.In 2011, following the lead of the EPSRC, the Economic and Social Research Council] (ESRC) announced doctoral studentships will be exclusively allocated to a network of 21 accredited DTCs.