MRC North West Doctoral Programme in Medical Sciences

Become a biomedical researcher of tomorrow with our Medical Research Council (MRC) North West Doctoral Programme in Medical Sciences (DMS).

The MRC DMS provides fully funded doctoral training for candidates interested in tackling some of the biggest challenges in global health.

The programme combines interdisciplinary research, specialist training and external partnerships to develop the next generation of research leaders in medical science. You will undertake a project addressing challenges in health while building skills for careers across academia, healthcare, industry and innovation.

A partnership between the MRC, The University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool, the programme gives you access to expertise, facilities, training and supervisory teams across both institutions, alongside opportunities with healthcare, industry and innovation partners.

MRC NWD projects are now live and applications are open until 27 November 2026.

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Why apply for the MRC NW-DMS in Medical Sciences?

• Funding: Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate for four years, plus additional funding for training, workshops and research visits.
• Real-world impact: Address major challenges in health sciences and contribute to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting people locally, nationally and globally.
• Personalised training: Build a skills portfolio around your needs through core and elective training in research methods, data science, coding, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, science communication and leadership.
• Industry experience: Gain experience beyond academia through placements, collaborative projects and training with NHS and healthcare organisations, industry partners and charities.
• Supportive research community: Join a doctoral cohort across Manchester and Liverpool, with annual symposia, networking events, peer support, retreats and cross-institutional activities.
• Career development: Prepare for careers in academia, healthcare, industry, policy or innovation through opportunities career focussed initiatives such as PROSPER, BIOBRIDGE and the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme.

Who is eligible?

These studentships are available to UK and international applicants who:

• Hold, or are about to obtain, a First or Upper Second-class UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

Competition is expected to be high. Many successful applicants may also hold a master’s qualification, have relevant research experience or demonstrate clear suitability for doctoral research.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and inclusive research environment. Through partnerships, outreach and inclusive recruitment, we work to broaden participation in doctoral research.

Next Steps

1.       Check if you meet our eligibility criteria.

2.       Find an MRC NW-DMS 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 MRC NW-DMS, including project listings, details on how to apply and full eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Key Dates

Applications open: Friday 30 October 2026

Application deadline: Friday 27 November 2026

Interviews take place: W/C 8 February 2027

Studentships awarded: W/C 22 February 2027

Studentships begin: October 2027

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