BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience

About the project

A pathway into bioscience research

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.

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry during week commencing 2 November 2026.

On this page:

Related pages:

• Why apply
• Programme structure
• Projects
• Eligibility
• How to apply
• Key dates
• Keep up-to-date
• Contact us
• Funding and fees
• Understanding funding
• Funded programmes
• Fees and costs
• Other funding support

About the BBSRC NWDP

The North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience is an initiative 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.

Why apply for the BBSRC NWDP?

Fully funded studentship

Fully funded studentship

Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees at home or international rate 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.

Comprehensive training

Comprehensive training

Receive comprehensive training tailored to your individual and project needs throughout your postgraduate research.

Community and networking opportunities

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.

Events and training opportunities

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.

Industry placements

Industry placements

Get the chance to undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIP) and potentially work in industry during years 1-3.

Career development

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.

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What can you expect on the programme?

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• 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.
• 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.

Discover a BBSRC NWDP project you're passionate about

Projects for 2027/28 entry will be advertised during week commencing 2 November 2026.

Interested in more than one project? You can apply for up to two projects as part of this programme.

Please note, we are unable to provide information about projects before they are advertised.

In the meantime, visit our projects page to browse all currently live projects from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Browse all live projects

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Widening participation in bioscience research

Great bioscience research depends on attracting talented researchers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

The BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Bioscience is committed to widening participation in postgraduate research by reducing barriers to access and supporting applicants from groups that have historically been underrepresented in doctoral training.

By offering funded PhD opportunities, partnering with social mobility charity In2Science - who create opportunity for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training - and offering support from academics, researchers and professional services staff, we're helping more students take the next step into bioscience research and contribute to the future of the field.

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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.

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.

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Step-by-step guide to applying

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry during week commencing 2 November 2026.

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.

Check you’re eligible

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.

More about eligibility and entry requirements

Find a project

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 apply for up to two projects as part of this programme. If you wish to apply for two projects, you must submit a separate application for each, including a supporting statement tailored to the specific project.

Contact a supervisor

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.

Learn more about contacting a supervisor

Prepare your supporting documents

Before you complete your application you'll need to prepare the following supporting documents:

A research statement is not required for this programme.

All supporting documents must be uploaded as part of your online application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Learn more about applying

• Supporting statement
• Reference details: Your referees will be sent an automatic reference request once you submit your application. Please ask them to respond as soon as possible, as you cannot be nominated without these references.
• Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts : If you are currently enrolled on a Master’s programme and do not yet have an interim transcript, please provide alternative proof of enrolment (for example, an offer letter).
• Official English language certificates (if applicable) : Applicants are not required to meet the English language requirements at the point of application. However, if successful, any offer made will be conditional upon the completion of an approved English language test (such as IELTS) and achievement of the required standard.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Complete your application

Found a project and contacted the supervisor?

Apply online

When completing your application ensure you use the following details:

For the funding sources section you should include:

Further information on completing an application can be found on our How to apply page .

• Level of study: Postgraduate Research
• Entry year: 2027/28
• Supervisor name: Specify the name of the main supervisor only, if the supervisor isn't listed you can enter it manually.
• Intake: September
• Funding: Select 'Yes' from the drop-down
• Type of Funding: 'Research Council'
• Awarding Body: 'BBSRC PhD Studentship'
• Status of Funding: Awarded
• Funding covers: – Fully Funded
• Leave the remaining boxes blank

Interview

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.

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Dates for 2026 entry

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• Projects advertised: Week commencing 2 November 2026
• Applications open: Week commencing 2 November 2026
• Application deadline: Wednesday , 4 December 2026
• Interviews take place: Week commencing 1 March 2027
• Studentships awarded: Week commencing 15 March 2027
• Studentships begin: October 2027

Sign up for updates

Receive updates about our BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme in Biosciences.

Register your interest

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Have any questions? Get in touch.

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 .

See more contact information .

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Research areas