BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience

Become an interdisciplinary bioscientist of tomorrow with our Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) North West Doctoral Programme (NWPD) in Bioscience.

The BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience is a unique and highly regarded training programme for future bioscience leaders, providing world-class interdisciplinary research opportunities across biosciences to 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.

A collaborative between the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), The University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool, postgraduate researchers will benefit from cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, expert supervision, collaboration with industry and more.

BBSRC NWDP projects are now live and applications are open until 4 December 2026.

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Why apply for the BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience?

• Funding: Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate for four years as well as additional funding for workshops, training courses, and research visits to enhance your skills.
• Comprehensive training: Gain access to comprehensive training tailored to your individual and project needs.
• Networking opportunities: Join a cohort across both institutes and get the change to network with peers, institutions, and external experts.
• Ongoing training: Continue to improve your skills and knowledge via annual training that promote interdisciplinary skills and networking, including Enterprising Researcher training, regional and national conferences such as the NWDP BBSRC DTP Annual Conference and writing retreats to refine and enhance writing skills.
• Placement: Get the chance to undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIP) and potentially work in industry during years 1-3.
• Development Opportunities: Receive support to plan, develop and pursue future careers beyond research underpinned by innovative PhD-to-workforce programmes - PhD-PROSPER and BIOBRIDGE.

Who is eligible?

These studentships are available to home and international candidates that:

• Hold, or are about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in an appropriate area.

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.

Next Steps

1. Check if you meet our eligibility criteria.
2. Find a BBSRC NWDP project that matches your research interests.
3. Get in contact with a listed project supervisor and discuss your suitability for the project.
4. Prepare your supporting documents.
5. Apply online once you’ve checked you’re eligible, found a project and spoken to the supervisor.

For further details about our BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience, including project listings, details on how to apply and full eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Key Dates

Projects advertised: Monday, 2 November 2026
Applications open: Monday, 2 November 2026
Application deadline: Wednesday, 4 December 2026
Interviews take place: w/c 1 March 2027

Studentships begin: October 2027

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