BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme Scholarship 2027 in UK
BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme Scholarship 2027 in UK
Last Date
04 December 2026
The BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded PhD opportunity for students who want to pursue bioscience research in the United Kingdom. The programme is run by the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool with funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Studentships are funded for 4 years and cover tuition fees plus an annual stipend at the applicable UKRI rate. UK and international applicants can apply, although only a limited number of full studentships are available to international candidates.
Applications for the 2027/28 intake are scheduled to open on 2 November 2026. The application deadline is 4 December 2026.
BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme Scholarship 2027 overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Degree level | PhD |
| Field | Bioscience |
| Host universities | University of Manchester and University of Liverpool |
| Funded by | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Eligible applicants | UK and international students |
| Applications open | 2 November 2026 |
| Deadline | 4 December 2026 |
| Interviews | Week commencing 1 March 2027 |
| Award decisions | Week commencing 15 March 2027 |
| Programme start | October 2027 |
About the BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme
The BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme (NWDP) in Bioscience brings together the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool for doctoral research and training.
The programme is supported by BBSRC and works with industry partners including Boots No7, Unilever, Waters and Bionow. In2ScienceUK is involved in the programme’s work to widen participation in postgraduate research.
Students undertake an individual PhD research project while receiving research and professional training throughout the 4-year programme.
Research projects for the 2027/28 intake are expected to be published when applications open on 2 November 2026.
Financial benefits
Successful BBSRC NWDP applicants receive a fully funded studentship for 4 years.
Funding includes:
- Full tuition fee funding
- An annual stipend at the applicable UKRI rate
- Funding for relevant workshops and training courses
- Support for research visits
- Research and professional development opportunities
The University of Manchester currently refers to the UKRI stipend rate rather than giving a confirmed stipend figure for the 2027/28 intake. Applicants should therefore check the applicable UKRI rate when the studentship begins.
The programme also includes opportunities for professional internships. Students may undertake an internship lasting around 3 months or at least 12 weeks, depending on the placement arrangements.
Who can apply?
The BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme is open to UK and international applicants.
Applicants are expected to have obtained, or be about to obtain:
- A First Class UK honours degree; or
- An Upper Second Class (2:1) UK honours degree; or
- An equivalent international qualification
The qualification should be in an area appropriate to the selected PhD project.
Applicants should also check the academic and subject requirements attached to their chosen research project.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International students can apply for the BBSRC NWDP 2027.
The number of fully funded places available to applicants from outside the UK is limited. The University of Manchester states that full studentships for international applicants will therefore go to candidates of exceptional quality.
International applicants must meet the relevant academic requirements and the English-language requirements of the university where their selected project is based.
Applicants with an overseas degree should check how their qualification compares with the required UK First or 2:1 honours degree.
Participating universities
BBSRC NWDP studentships are available through 2 universities in North West England.
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester participates through its bioscience and related research community. Applicants can choose from advertised doctoral projects and work with academic supervisors connected with their chosen research area.
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is the second university in the programme. Its available projects cover bioscience research areas based on the projects selected for each recruitment round.
Applicants can consider projects from either university when the 2027/28 project list becomes available.
Available PhD projects
The programme uses advertised PhD projects rather than requiring every applicant to arrive with an independent research topic.
Projects for the 2027/28 entry are scheduled to be advertised from 2 November 2026.
Applicants should read each project description carefully and check:
- Research topic and objectives
- Required academic background
- Research methods
- Supervisor
- University
- Any project-specific skills or experience
Candidates can include up to 2 projects in their application. These can be selected according to the programme’s application instructions and the projects available at Manchester or Liverpool.
Choosing projects that closely fit your academic training and research experience can make it easier to explain your suitability during the selection process.
Contact the potential supervisor
Applicants should contact the supervisor of the project they want to pursue before submitting their application.
The project advertisement should provide the supervisor’s details. Your initial contact should briefly explain your academic background, research experience and interest in the specific project.
You can also use this conversation to understand the project’s research direction and whether your previous training fits the work involved.
Contacting the supervisor is an important part of the published application process, so applicants should leave enough time for this before the 4 December deadline.
Documents required
Applicants must provide the supporting documents requested through the application process. The exact requirements should be checked on the application portal and the relevant university page when applications open.
Applicants should be ready to provide academic and application records such as:
- Academic CV
- Degree transcripts
- Degree certificates where required
- Personal or supporting statement
- References
- Evidence of English-language ability where applicable
- Other documents requested for the selected project
Applications without the required supporting documentation can be treated as incomplete.
Also Read> FAPESP Investigator Scholarship 2027 in Brazil
How to apply for the BBSRC NWDP Scholar ship 2027
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Confirm that your academic qualification meets the programme requirements. International students should also check the relevant English-language requirements.
Step 2: Find a PhD project
Review the projects published for 2027/28 entry from 2 November 2026. Select a project that fits your academic background and research interests.
You may select up to 2 projects.
Step 3: Contact the supervisor
Contact the primary supervisor listed for your preferred project. Discuss your academic background, research experience and interest in the project before applying.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Prepare the required academic records and supporting documents. Give yourself enough time to arrange references and any documents that depend on your university or previous institution.
Step 5: Complete the application
Follow the application instructions for your chosen university and BBSRC NWDP project.
For applicants using the University of Manchester application route, the published guidance specifies:
- Level of study: Postgraduate Research
- Entry year: 2027/28
- Intake: September
- Funding: Yes
- Type of funding: Research Council
- Awarding body: BBSRC PhD Studentship
- Funding covers: Fully Funded
Enter the main supervisor named for your chosen project.
Step 6: Upload the supporting documents
Upload every required document before submitting. An incomplete application may not be processed.
Step 7: Submit by 4 December 2026
Complete the application before the closing date. Checking the application early gives you time to correct missing information or document issues.
Selection and interview process
Applications are assessed before candidates are nominated for interview.
Candidates selected for the next stage will be contacted by email. Interviews are expected to take place online through Zoom.
The BBSRC NWDP Recruitment Committee considers applicants using information including their:
- CV
- Academic record
- References
Interview panels can contain up to 3 academic staff from the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool.
Candidates invited to interview will also need to give a short presentation of no more than 10 minutes. The presentation can cover previous research experience, such as an undergraduate research project, or the BBSRC NWDP project the applicant wants to pursue.
The presentation may be given using PowerPoint or verbally.
Important dates for BBSRC NWDP 2027
Projects advertised: 2 November 2026
Applications open: 2 November 2026
Application deadline: 4 December 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 1 March 2027
Studentships awarded: Week commencing 15 March 2027
PhD programme begins: October 2027
Applicants should check the official programme page again after applications open in November in case any dates or application instructions are updated.
Why consider the BBSRC NWDP?
The programme combines a funded PhD with structured research training and experience outside the applicant’s immediate research project.
Students can receive training based on their research needs, participate in cohort activities and gain experience through professional placements. Industry partners connected with the programme include Boots No7, Unilever, Waters and Bionow.
The 4-year funding period also gives successful candidates tuition fee support and a UKRI-rate stipend throughout their studentship, subject to the programme’s funding terms.
Application deadline
The deadline for the BBSRC North West Doctoral Programme Scholarship 2027 is 4 December 2026.
Applications for 2027/28 entry are scheduled to open on 2 November 2026, giving applicants a relatively short period to identify suitable projects, contact supervisors and complete their applications.
Applicants planning to apply should prepare their CV, academic records and research background before the project list opens, then check the requirements of their preferred project as soon as it is published.