Bicentenary PhD Student­ships and Fellow­ships

About the project

Celebrating 200 years

Pioneer the future of innovation and discovery

The University of Manchester has been at the centre of discovery for the past 200 years and, as we look forward, our researchers will continue to pursue solutions to the most pressing global challenges that affect our world, our societies and our health.

To celebrate our bicentenary and drive discovery and innovation in bioscience, biomedical and health research, we are proud to announce the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships.

This programme is closed for recruitment and future applications.

Browse our range of other funded programmes .

On this page:

Related pages:

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

Prestigious fully funded PhD studentships

Commencing in October 2025, the University made a major investment into postgraduate research including 70 fully funded PhD studentships in the Faculty over the next two years.

Bicentenary PhD Studentship postgraduate researchers joined the forefront of world leading research spanning across four major interdisciplinary research themes across our Faculty and Schools.

They joined world leading research teams, benefit from vibrant training and research environments, dedicated support through our Doctoral Academy , and become part of an inclusive, supportive, and thriving PhD student community.

About the programme

Receive a prestigious, fully funded studentship

Receive a prestigious, fully funded studentship

Benefit from a prestigious, fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (2024/25: £19,237 per year) for four years.

Address key global challenges

Tackle key global challenges in a research area you're passionate about

Embark on a project you're passionate about in one of our key research themes and receive guidance from an expert supervisory team:

Access world-class research facilities and training

• Addressing impacts of the environment and climate change on our health;
• Advancing discovery through interdisciplinary life sciences research;
• Empowering our research through advanced data science, digital technologies and AI;
• Tackling the causes and consequences of health inequalities.

Access world-class research facilities and training

Benefit from excellent training and research facilities in a world-leading, 4 research environment (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), as well as a vibrant and supportive environment that will maximise your growth as a researcher.

Broaden your horizons

Broaden your horizons

Gain access to funding to help you broaden your horizons and travel for collaboration, conferences and development opportunities.

Join a vibrant and diverse community

Join a vibrant and diverse research community

Become part of our Doctoral Academy and join a vibrant and diverse postgraduate research community of more than 1,000 researchers.

Benefit from comprehensive training and support

Benefit from comprehensive training and support

Receive comprehensive training provision and support from our Doctoral Academy and Researcher Development team to enhance your research skills and career development.

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Pursue your research passion

This programme is closed for recruitment and future applications.

Browse our range of other funded programmes .

Over 30 Bicentenary PhD Studentships will be awarded in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health for 2026/27 entry with projects available across four major research themes:

Applicants will be able to apply for up to two projects in their single application.

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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• Addressing impacts of the environment and climate change on our health
• Advancing discovery through interdisciplinary life sciences research
• Empowering our research through advanced data science, digital technologies and AI
• Tackling the causes and consequences of health inequalities

Entry requirements

We will consider candidates from the UK and overseas who have obtained, or are about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language requirements ) before applying.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. For more information see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .

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Ready to start your journey to postgraduate research in biological, medical or health sciences?

This programme is closed for recruitment and future applications.

Browse our range of other funded programmes .

Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply for our Bicentenary PhD Studentships with our step-by-step guide.

Check you’re eligible

We will consider candidates from the UK and overseas who have obtained, or are about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language requirements ) before applying.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. For more information see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .

Find a project

Browse our Bicentenary PhD Studentship projects and discover one you're passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

Find a project

Contact the supervisor

Found a Bicentenary PhD Studentship 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

Complete your application

Apply online

Once you have found your project and contacted your supervisor you can apply online for up to two projects by completing a single application using the the following information:

For the funding section you should select:

Further information on applying and what you need to include can be found on our 'How to apply' page .

Learn more about applying

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• Level of study: select 'Postgraduate Research'
• Entry year: Select the academic year you wish to study in. For example, September 2025 is in the 2025/26 academic year
• Intake: Select 'September'
• Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
• Type of funding: 'Uni of Manchester scheme'
• Awarding body: FBMH Bicentenary PhD
• Status of funding: Awarded
• Funding covers: Fully Funded
• Leave the remaining boxes blank

Bicentenary Fellowships

The Faculty has established the Bicentenary Early Career Research Fellowships to support exceptional early-career, post-doctoral researchers with strong potential, providing them with the opportunity to grow into future leaders in bioscience, biomedical, and health research.

At least three Fellowships commencing in early 2027 are available to applicants with less than three years of post-doctoral research experience.

Find out more

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Sign-up for updates

Be the first to hear about funded programmes and funding opportunities when they launch.

You’ll receive our monthly newsletter for prospective applicants which includes updates on featured projects, our latest events and application tips.

Register your interest

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Have any questions? Get in touch.

If you have any questions about our Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team .

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Research areas