PhD by Enterprise

About the project

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Fully funded PhD studentships

The University of Manchester’s PhD by Enterprise is a new four‑year doctoral programme that combines world‑class research with structured entrepreneurship training. The University is investing nearly £2 million in this initiative.

Accelerating research impact through innovation is central to the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy, including the ambition to become Europe’s most inclusive innovation ecosystem.

The PhD by Enterprise programme supports this by enabling the University’s research portfolio to generate tangible economic, environmental and societal impact through venture creation and enterprise-led pathways.

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry soon.

On this page:

Related pages:

• Programme objectives
• Funding
• 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 programme

PhD by Enterprise offers projects with clear venture or enterprise potential identified at the outset and gives you the opportunity to:

The programme aims to empower you to translate your research into impactful solutions addressing global challenges such as climate change, health and inequality.

The programme is delivered through Unit M , in partnership with the Doctoral Academy , the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre , and the Innovation Factory .

• progress your research while developing enterprise and commercial capabilities;
• advance your work through relevant Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), alongside market and customer discovery;
• submit a doctoral thesis focused on original research, incorporating a business plan as a defined component.

Programme objectives

Integrate research with innovation

Integrate research with innovation

Advance high‑quality research while developing enterprise skills that support translation and impact.

Support technology readiness progression

Support technology readiness progression

Facilitate progression through TRLs, from early‑stage concepts to deployment, supporting IP development and exploitation.

Develop commercial capability

Develop commercial capability

Equip you with skills to develop business plans, explore commercialisation routes, and prepare investment‑ready pitches.

Enable venture creation

Enable venture creation

Support the formation of start‑ups, spin‑outs, or other impactful enterprises through access to networks, expertise and practical guidance.

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Fully-funded scholarship

Fully funded studentships were available to start in 2026/27 and include:

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• Stipend for living costs at the UKRI rate
• Tuition fees at home or international rate
• Up to £20,000 Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) per studentship, depending on the research project
• Additional support for entrepreneurship training and customer discovery activities
• Visa and immigration costs reimbursed for successful international postgraduate researchers
• Wrap‑around support including coordinated academic supervision, enterprise training, and tailored mentoring from across the University ecosystem

Discover a PhD by Enterprise project you're passionate about

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry soon.

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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Entry requirements

These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home or international fees.

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. We seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Manchester.

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Step-by-step guide to applying

Applications will open for 2027/28 entry soon.

Want to be considered for a PhD by Enterprise 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.

More about eligibility and entry requirements

Find a project

Browse all of our PhD by Enterprise projects and discover one you're passionate about which 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 PhD by Enterprise project you're interested in? Reaching out to your potential supervisor and speaking to them about their project is your next step. This is one of the most important things you need to do before you apply.

Learn more about contacting a supervisor

Prepare your supporting documents

When applying, you'll need to provide supporting documents including:

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 supporting documents

• 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)

Apply online

Found a project and contacted the listed supervisor?

Apply online once applications re-open.

When completing your application ensure you use the following details:

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

• Level of study: Postgraduate Research
• Entry year: 2027/28
• Intake: September
• Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
• Type of funding: 'Uni of Manchester scheme'
• Awarding body: PhD by Enterprise
• Status of funding: Awarded
• Funding covers: Fully Funded
• Leave the remaining boxes blank

What happens next

After you’ve applied, your application and the supervisors you’ve selected will be reviewed by our panel.

The panel will assess applications and invite potential candidates to interview.

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Dates for 2026/27 entry

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• Applications open: To be confirmed
• Projects advertised: To be confirmed
• Application deadline: To be confirmed
• Interviews take place: To be confirmed
• Studentships begin: October 2027

Sign-up for updates

Be the first to hear about funded programmes and funding opportunities including the PhD by Enterprise programme 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 PhD by Enterprise programme, contact our Doctoral Academy admissions team by emailing fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk .

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Research areas