Become an interdisciplinary bioscientist of tomorrow
Fully funded BBSRC studentships
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRSC) Northwest Doctoral Programme (NWDP) in Bioscience is a unique and highly regarded training programme for future bioscience leaders, providing world-class interdisciplinary research opportunities for motivated and inquisitive postgraduate researchers.
The programme aims to prepare future bioscientists with the skills, knowledge, networks and experience needed to address critical challenges in 21st-century bioscience and begin successful research careers.
About the BBSRC NWDP
The North West Doctoral Programme is a new initiative launching for 2025/26 entry between the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), The University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool.
The programme is also delivered in collaboration with industry partners Boots No7, Unilever, Waters and Bionow, who will provide training and research opportunities, as well as social mobility charity In2ScienceUK, who create opportunity for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training.
Together, the partnership will enable postgraduate researchers to benefit from cutting edge technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, expert supervision, industry insight and experience, and end-to-end support.
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Why apply for the BBSRC NWDP?
Fully funded studentship
Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (2024/25: £19,237 per year) for four years, as well as additional funding for workshops, training courses, and research visits to enhance your skills.
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Comprehensive training
Receive comprehensive training tailored to your individual and project needs throughout your postgraduate research.
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Community and networking opportunities
Join a community of more than 100 BBSRC funded postgraduate researchers and get the chance to network with peers, institutions, and external partners.
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Events and training opportunities
Continue to improve your skills and knowledge via annual training events and opportunities that promote interdisciplinary skills and networking, including Enterprising Researcher training, regional and national conferences such as the BBSRC NWDP Annual Conference, and writing retreats to refine and enhance writing skills.
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Industry placements
Get the chance to undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIP) and potentially work in industry during years 1-3.
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Career development
Receive support to plan, develop and pursue future careers beyond research, underpinned by innovative PhD-to-workforce programmes - PhD-PROSPER and BIOBRIDGE.
PhD PROSPER is a successful postdoctoral researcher career development framework established and run by the University of Liverpool and The University of Manchester, which was co-developed with 100+ employer partners, and enabled through Research England funding. This scheme is being extended to BBSRC NWDP to empower and support PhD students with a proactive approach to realising their future career.
BIOBRIDGE stems from a successful trial at the University of Liverpool and provides a route for postgraduate researchers to pursue additional employability-related activities (e.g. work placements, consultancy, enterprise, project development) alongside their PhD research.
Programme Structure
What can you expect on the programme?
- BBSRC NWDP welcome event to learn more about the programme, the range of support available and allow for networking across institutions.
- Series of training events with your cohort at both The University of Manchester and The University of Liverpool to equip you with skills and knowledge for your project and the opportunity to network with staff and peers across the cohort.
- Commence your research at your lead institution.
- Continue to develop your skills and understanding through a bespoke, structured programme of individual and cohort-based training, in addition to project-specific training. For example, you will continue to develop and test research ideas and learn how to:
- design good experiments ;
- analyse and present data;
- communicate your work to other scientists.
- Encouraged to publish your work in leading international journals, attend conferences at home and abroad, and get involved in other activities such as enterprise competitions and public engagement events.
- Get the opportunity to take part in a professional internship placement and work in industry for 12 weeks or more (split into two or more periods at two or more different places, if required) and gain valuable experience in industry.
- Finalise your research and prepare to take the next steps in your career.
- Take the opportunity to attend our writing retreat and receive support and guidance on how to improve your writing and make the most out of the time spent writing up your work for submission.
Projects
Discover a BBSRC NWDP project you're passionate about
A wide range of projects for 2026/27 entry will be announced later in the year and will be listed here.
Eligibility
Entry requirements
Competition for studentships is expected to be very high.
These studentships are available to UK and international applicants, and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate for four years.
Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.
Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and have partnered with social mobility charity In2ScienceUK to create opportunities for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training.
We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Manchester.
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International applicants
We are able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our eligibility and entry requirements page to find out more about English language requirements at Manchester.
How to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying
***Applications for this programme are closed for 2025/26***
Want to be considered for a BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience studentship?
Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide.
Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme and check you have the skills and characteristics we’re looking for in our postgraduate researchers on our ‘Eligibility and entry requirements’ page.
Browse all of our BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience projects once they're live, and discover one at either The University of Manchester or the University of Liverpool which you're passionate about and matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Interested in more than one project? You can include up to two projects at either institution in your application.
Found a BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience project you're interested in? Reaching out to your potential supervisor and speaking to them about their project is your next step and is one of the most important things you need to do before you apply.
Before you complete your application you'll need to prepare the following supporting documents:
- CV;
- Personal statement;
- Degree certificates and transcripts (if your qualification is still pending, please ensure this is clear on your application form and you can send this to us at a later date);
- English language certificates (if applicable);
- Two references; these need to be complete references, not just the referees name and contact details. If your reference would prefer to send this directly to us, they can email to: NWD-BBSRC.applications@manchester.ac.uk
- Evidence of settled/pre-settled status/ILR in the UK (if applicable).
Once you have prepared these documents, you should complete your application using the guidance in the next step and share your supporting documents in response to the application confirmation email you'll receive.
Found a project and contacted the listed supervisor?
When applications re-open for 2026/27 entry you'll be able to apply via our specific BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience online application form. This is a separate application form specifically for candidates of this scheme, applications should not be made through either university’s usual online application system.
When applying you can select up to two projects in one single application - this can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution.
Late, incomplete or applications not made via the specific BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience application form linked below will not be considered.
Once you have applied, you'll receive a confirmation email and you should reply to this email as soon as possible with all of your supporting documentation.
Once you've completed your application you will receive a confirmation email and you should reply to this email attaching all of your supporting documents.
If you are invited to one of our interview days following supervisor nominations, you will be notified directly by email. Interviews take place via Zoom and the BBSRC NWDP Recruitment Committee will assess applicants based on CV, academic record and references.
Interview panels will consist of up to three academic staff from both universities. During the interview you will be required to give a short presentation (not exceeding 10 minutes) outlining any research experience you may have (e.g. an undergraduate project) or about the BBSRC NWDP project you are interested in. Presentations can be made in PowerPoint format or verbally.
If you are not nominated by a supervisor for a panel interview, we will notify you directly that your application has been unsuccessful.
Key dates
Dates for 2025 entry
- Projects advertised: W/C 9 December 2024
- Applications open: W/C 9 December 2024
- Application deadline: Friday, 31 January 2025
- Interviews take place: W/C Monday, 24 March 2025
Undergraduate placements
BBSRC placements
Applications for placements are currently closed
Each year, we offer undergraduate students from universities across the UK the opportunity to undertake a research experience placement at The University of Manchester, funded through the BBSRC.
Placements will last for six weeks and a salary will be provided at the minimum living wage rate.
It is anticipated that all placements will run from 7 July to 15 August 2025, culminating with a showcase event where you will have the opportunity to present the outcome of your project to other summer research placement students.
To be eligible for a placement, you should:
- be in the middle years of your first degree;
- be registered for a basic science (including mathematics and engineering) or veterinary degree at a UK university;
- either have home status or be an EU/international applicant with evidence of your right to work in the UK;
- be expected to obtain a First or Upper Second class honours degree.
We particularly encourage applications from students who meet at least one of the following widening participation criteria:
- You have been in public care for a minimum of three months since the age of 11.
- You are from a low-income background evidenced by receipt of maintenance grant and/or a higher rate of maintenance loan during undergraduate studies. Consideration will be given to the number of years that a maintenance grant was received and the amount awarded, or the rate of maintenance loan received (if you started your undergraduate course following the phasing out of maintenance grants).
- You come from one of the most deprived areas of the UK as indicated by ACORN and LPN data. This is based on home postcode before attending university.
- You are/were in receipt of a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) as part of your undergraduate studies or are receiving/received support from your undergraduate university's disability office.
- You have been recognised as a refugee or asylum seeker or been granted humanitarian protection status by the UK government, or are the partner or child of someone who has been granted refugee, asylum seeker or humanitarian protection status.
- You are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
- You are the first generation in your family to attend university and be studying an undergraduate or equivalent qualification (neither of your parents has a BA, BSc or equivalent undergraduate degree).
- You are studying at a non-Russell Group university.
Preference will be given to students who wish to use the placement to find out more about their suitability and aptitude for further research, particularly if the project is in an area of science different from their main subject area.
Please note that medical students are not eligible for this scheme.
A list of projects available for summer 2025 can be viewed here: BBSRC project list (summer 2025)
Applications for this placement are currently closed.
When applying you must complete and submit an undergraduate placements application form.
When applying you will need to submit your completed application form, your CV and a transcript of marks so far by email.
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Got a question?
If you need help applying, have any queries regarding your eligibility (for example, if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances) or have any other questions about the programme, get in contact with our Doctoral Academy admissions team by emailing fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.