President’s Doctoral Scholar award

About the project

The President’s Doctoral Scholar (PDS) award is the University’s flagship funding initiative, and is strongly supported by our President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.

It is a priority for the University to support and develop tomorrow's global research leaders. As such we strive to create an environment that allows you to excel and reach your full potential. The President's Doctoral Scholar Award is the highest accolade we bestow upon members of our postgraduate researcher community.

The scheme gives outstanding students, who have the commitment and desire to work on challenging interdisciplinary research projects in world-leading research environments, a foundation to support research training with prominent academics across a full range of subjects.

It is open to students of all nationalities and across all research areas.

Successful PDS award candidates receive enhanced funding for their doctoral studies.

2026/27 recruitment

For 2026/27 entry, there are fully-funded scholarships available within all three Faculties with the theme of 'Environmental challenges to human health, society, and productivity'.

Contacts and queries

If you have any queries regarding the PDS Award application process or eligibility criteria, please contact the relevant Faculty PDS Award co-ordinator in the first instance:

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

• President's Doctoral Scholar award | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester
• FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk

Faculty of Humanities

• Postgraduate research | Faculty of Humanities | The University of Manchester
• HUMS.doctoralacademy.admissions.manchester.ac.uk

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• President's Doctoral Scholarship | Faculty of Science and Engineering
• FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk

Central PDS Team

• pds@manchester.ac.uk

Research areas