Start your training on the MRC DTP
Shape the future of medical and health sciences
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) offers fully funded studentships for postgraduate researchers undertaking PhDs in biomedical, clinical and health services areas.
With our MRC DTP you'll have the opportunity to:
- Carry out a funded PhD project addressing some of the key priorities of the MRC.
- Learn how to fulfil unmet healthcare needs in the UK and globally.
- Enhance employability through training in cross-cutting skills such as informatics, in vivo and computation.
- Receive support in raising awareness of your research through external conferences, digital media and networking events.
- Develop interdisciplinary research skills by learning from biological, computational, material, physical, chemical and social scientists.
- Access competitive internal funding schemes for exceptional training opportunities, clinical and industrial placements, and post-submission career development projects.
On this page:
Programme
What's involved?
We provide a framework of postgraduate research training that supports the development and career progression of all our MRC-funded postgraduate researchers over four years.
The MRC DTP studentships provide full funding for tuition fees and a stipend at the Research Councils UK (UKRI) rate for four years.
The MRC DTP offers three application pathways (standard DTP project, CASE project or student-led project), as outlined in the Projects section. All MRC postgraduate researchers form one unified cohort, irrespective of the pathway through which their project was developed.
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 a relevant subject. A master's qualification in a related area could be beneficial, as could additional relevant research experience.
For full details on eligibility, see the 'Making an application' section below.
MRC DTP funding schemes
As you progress through your degree, you could also benefit from our competitive internal DTP funding schemes.
- The Flexible Training Supplement Award can provide funding for exceptional training opportunities.
- The Innovation and Translation Springboard Award can provide funding for clinical and industrial placements.
- The Pathways to Impact Scheme can provide funding for up to six months after submission of your PhD to complete a project designed to facilitate your transition into the next phase of your career, the nature of which will depend on your individual career ambitions.
What our postgraduate researchers say
Read blog posts from our postgraduate researchers to find out what they think about the programme.
Projects
Explore your interests
Projects for 2026/27 entry will be advertised from 7 October 2025.
We offer PhD opportunities across a range of biomedical, clinical and health services areas. Projects span the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and the Faculty of Humanities.
Our MRC DTP projects focus on three overarching themes, and each project must cover at least two of these:
- Discovery of Disease Mechanisms
- Detection and Diagnosis
- Developing Interventions
The training provided in our project reflects the MRC's skills priorities. All of our projects are required to include interdisciplinary training, generally through the composition of the supervisory team.
In addition, each project must include training in quantitative skills, and/or whole organ(ism) physiology.
Projects for 2026/27 entry will be announced and applications will open later in 2025.
In the meantime, visit our projects page to browse all live projects from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.
Application pathways
***Applications for this programme are closed for 2025/26***
We offer three application pathways to choose from, with all of our MRC postgraduate researchers forming one unified cohort, irrespective of the pathway through which their project was developed.
Please carefully consider the pathway you want to follow, as Project Supervisors can only submit one nomination.
Via this traditional pathway for our DTP, the supervisory team develops a suitable project.
You should contact the lead supervisor directly to discuss the project(s). It is your responsibility to arrange meetings with supervisors. Invitations to our interview days are dictated by supervisor nominations. This means that you are unlikely to be nominated by a supervisor unless you have made contact with them, in addition to submitting an online application.
As part of the selection process, you will be requested to submit a piece of written work directly to the Project Supervisor, who will advise of the exact requirements.
A suitable project is developed as a collaboration between an academic supervisor and an industrial partner, who offer enhanced training via placement and additional support.
You should contact the lead supervisor directly to discuss the project(s). It is your responsibility to arrange meetings with supervisors. Invitations to our interview days are dictated by supervisor nominations. This means that you are unlikely to be nominated by a supervisor unless you have made contact with them, in addition to submitting an online application.
As part of the selection process, you will be requested to submit a piece of written work directly to the Project Supervisor, who will advise of the exact requirements.
You can select from a pool of supervisors who are willing to help formulate a project in their research area, with a focus on your individual interests.
You should contact the supervisors directly to develop a suitable project proposal together. These projects will not be advertised, and you will be nominated by the supervisor to be shortlisted for an interview. You must submit an online admissions application form by the deadline.
Supervisors
- Mahetab Amer
- Peter Arkwright
- Marianne Aznar
- Sorrel Burden
- Patrick Caswell
- Fumie Costen
- Alexandra Davies
- Phillip Day
- Douglas Dyer
- Antje Heinrich
- Rebecca Lee
- Asri Maharani
- Graham Pavitt
- Joanne Pennock
- Christian Pinali
- Andrew Povey
- Juan Quintana
- Stephanie Shoop-Worrall
- Jason Taylor
- Martie van Tongeren
- Drupad Trivedi
- Filippo Varese
- Ruth Williams
Eligibility
Competition for this programme is expected to be very high.
These studentships available to both UK and international applicants.
We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject area for entry to this funded PhD programme. As this is a highly competitive programme, many of our applicants also hold a Masters-level qualification.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds.
We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.
International eligibility
Information for international candidates
These studentships will only be awarded to an 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 requirements before applying.
Visit our eligibility and entry requirements page to find out more.
Training
Develop cross-cutting skills
Training within each of our research themes embeds cross-cutting skills alongside those central to your research. This includes hands-on in vivo skills training in areas such as surgical and pre-clinical skills, complex experiments, novel imaging technologies and other innovative techniques.
Working collaboratively
You will develop interdisciplinary skills in chemical or physical engineering and social, economic and clinical areas, for example, imaging, health economics, antimicrobial resistance, and translational medicine. Your training will be led by various interdisciplinary supervisory teams often comprising different research groups and settings.
Planning ahead
Alongside your PhD training, you will also receive bespoke training specifically designed for the MRC DTP. This training will expose you to different career options after your PhD. It will explore public and patient engagement and involvement, business engagement, policy, and leadership.
Interrogating data
You will develop your quantitative skills including mathematics, statistics, computation, and developing digital excellence as applied to a variety of data sources, from 'omics to health records.
Transferable skills
Our Faculty graduate training programme will see you learn alongside other postgraduate researchers at Manchester and benefit from career-focused seminars in areas such as presentational skills, publications, public engagement and getting the most from research conferences.
Tailor the programme
You will have the opportunity to attend specific training events tailored to areas of importance to aspiring biomedical and health services researchers. You will be able to influence our training provision by telling us about the seminars and workshops that would be most helpful.
Making an application
Step-by-step guide to applying
Applications will open for 2026/27 entry on 7 October 2025.
Want to be considered for an MRC DTP studentship? Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide below.
You may apply for up to two projects as part of this programme. Please note, each project must be submitted as a separate application.
Further information on applying can be found on our How to apply page.
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 MRC DTP projects once they're live, and discover one you're passionate about which matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Found a project you're interested in? Contacting 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.
When applying you'll need to include a 2-4 page supporting statement to explain your suitability for the programme which should summarise:
- your motivation for undertaking postgraduate research
- specifically why you are applying for this project or programme
- why you want to do a postgraduate research degree at Manchester
- any research experience that you have
If you have completed a research project during your undergraduate/master's study, please give a short description of the work you undertook, including:
- the research problem;
- your key findings;
- techniques acquired and skills learned.
Failure to include a supporting statement may delay the processing of your application.
When applying, you'll need to provide supporting documents including:
- Supporting statement
- Reference details
- Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts (If you are currently enrolled in a Master's programme and do not yet have an interim transcript, please provide alternative proof of enrolment, such as an offer letter.)
- Official English language certificates (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A research statement is not required for this programme.
All supporting documents must be uploaded as part of the formal online application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.
Found a project and contacted the supervisor?
When applications re-open for 2026/27 entry you'll be able to apply via our application portal using the following details:
- Level of study: 'Postgraduate Research'
- Entry year: '2026/27'
- Supervisor name: Specify the name of the main supervisor only, if the supervisor isn't listed you can enter it manually.
- Intake: 'September'
For the funding sources section you should include:
- Funding: Select 'Yes' from the drop-down
- Type of Funding: 'Research Council'
- Awarding Body: MRC DTP Studentship
- Status of Funding: Awarded
- Funding covers: – Fully Funded
- Leave the remaining boxes blank
Further information on completing an application can be found on our How to apply page.
We will contact you directly by email if we wish to invite you to one of our interview days following supervisor nominations.
If you are not nominated by a supervisor for a panel interview, we will notify you that your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews take place via Teams and will consist of a panel of up to three academic staff from across the University.
You will be required to give a short presentation (not exceeding 10 minutes) on the project you are interested in. Presentations can be made in PowerPoint format or verbally.
Post-interview the recruitment committee will assess candidates based on the interview, their CV, academic record and references.
Key dates
Dates for 2026 entry
- Projects announced: 6 October 2025
- Applications open: 6 October 2025
- Applications close: 8 November 2025 at 23:59
- Interviews take place: W/C 19 January 2026
- Studentships awarded: W/C 26 January 2026
- Studentship begins: October 2026
Applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Postgraduate researcher support
Supporting you and your career
You will be able to access outstanding facilities, technical and experimental support and fellow early career researchers throughout the programme.
Our Doctoral Academy represents early career researchers and will further support your development. Opportunities to share research ideas and obtain advice are available on a national level as well as within Manchester.
You and your fellow DTP postgraduate researchers form a cohort of trainees, encouraging peer support, e.g. final year postgraduate researchers act as peer mentors for each year's new intake. The DTP also has a dedicated and proactive Postgraduate Researcher Committee that represents the cohort and helps develop training for MRC postgraduate researchers, as well as organising events such as the MRC seminar series, conference and residential.
Join the Graduate Society
We also have a graduate society you can join, which is led by postgraduate researchers, offering both academic and social events to further support interaction and a sense of community.
Careers
Career destinations
Our postgraduate researchers progress beyond their PhDs into a variety of positions and areas.
Typical destinations include:
- academic fellowships (MRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR);
- clinical training;
- industrial research;
- health services consultancy and policy;
- medical writing;
- teaching.
Workplace experience
You can benefit from additional opportunities to gain experience in many of these areas. Some of our DTP projects involve placements in industrial settings during the PhD, while the MRC operates a successful Policy Internship Placement with the Academy of Medical Sciences, which is open to DTP postgraduate researchers.
Additional opportunities are provided in the context of our internal DTP funding for exceptional training opportunities, clinical and industrial placements, and post-submission career enhancement projects.
MRC 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 MRC.
The placements are an excellent way to experience research activity and determine your suitability and aptitude for further research.
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.
A list of projects available for summer 2025 can be found in the following PDF: MRC Project List (2025)
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), medical, 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.
Applications for this placement are currently closed.
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 via email.
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Contact us
Have any questions? Get in touch.
Further details on MRC DTP studentship funding, eligibility and opportunities can be found on the MRC website.
For queries about applications, please contact the Doctoral Academy:
Email: fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
See more contact information.
