PhD Funding
A variety of funding and scholarship schemes are available through University funds, organisations and industrial sponsors.
How Do I Apply for PhD Funding?
Applying for funding is a separate process to applying for a PhD.
However as part of the PhD application process, you will be guided through potential funding options and asked to indicate how you will fund your PhD.
When you click 'how to apply' on any of our advertised PhD projects you will be taken through a series of steps:
| Step | Stage | Description | Funding Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Eligibility Checklist | Pre-application |
Our eligibility checklist is a short series of steps that allows you to check if you meet the criteria to apply for the PhD project you are interested in. Your answers are not recorded and completing an eligibility checklist does not commit you to making a PhD application (Step 2).
|
The eligibility checklist will suggest which of the funding schemes, listed below, you may be able to apply for - based on your answers and the project type. It will also provide guidance on how to make a funding application. |
| 2. University’s online application system - EUCLID | PhD application | After you have completed the eligibility checklist you will have the option to apply through the University’s online application system – EUCLID. |
As part of your EUCLID application you will be asked to indicate how you intend to fund your PhD. If you intend to apply for funding you should list the funding scheme - pay close attention to any other guidance you received during the eligibility checklist. |
How to apply for advertised PhD Projects
When Should I Apply for PhD Funding ?
Remember that different deadlines, eligibilities and selection procedures apply depending on the source of funding.
- You must complete both of the above steps by the University deadline, regardless of the funding deadline.
- You can apply for funding after the University application deadline, if the funding deadline allows this.
| Funding Scheme | Funding Status | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
|
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships |
Closed |
Visit Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships Applications for admission are now closed. Allocation of this scholarship will be incorporated in the EASTBIO recruitment process.
|
|
UKRI Doctoral Training in Biomedical Artificial Intelligence |
Closed | Visit UKRI CDT in Biomedical AI |
| Darwin Trust PhD Scholarships | Closed |
Download an application pack from the Darwin Trust web pages no later than 5 January 2024. Application form must be submitted to the Darwin Trust by 17 January 2024. |
| Carnegie Trust Scholarships | Closed |
Visit Carnegie Trust PhD Scholarships
|
| Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) | Closed |
Visit EASTBIO Applications for admission are now closed |
| Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) | Closed |
Visit NERC E4 Applications for admission must be submitted by 4 January 2024. |
| Medical Research Council (MRC) | Closed |
Visit MRC PRECISION MEDICINE Applications for admission must be submitted by 15 January 2024. |
| Wellcome Trust 4 Year PhD Programme in Hosts, Pathogens & Global Health | Closed |
Visit Wellcome Trust Applications for admission must be submitted by 11 January 2024. |
| Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) | TBC |
Visit EPSRC. Various supervisor-led projects available. Student-led projects welcome. For more information contact: grad.biol@ed.ac.uk |
| Staff Scholarships (University of Edinburgh staff) | TBC | Visit Staff Scholarships |
| Wellcome Trust 4 Year PhD Programme in Integrative Cell Mechanisms | Closed |
Visit Wellcome Trust Applications for admission must be submitted by 6 December 2023 |
| Ker Memorial PhD Studentship | Closed |
Visit Edinburgh Infectious Diseases
|
Applying for funding is an optional process. You may also fund your studies yourself, or find an external sponsor.
We will contact you if we need any further information to be able to consider your application. Please regularly log in to your EUCLID account to check for any messages from us. If you are shortlisted for a PhD place, we will invite you for interview in person or online interview.
Our initial set of interviews will be in February/March.
We do keep applications on hold while we allocate all our different funding, and so it is possible that you will not have a firm decision from us until May.
The University provides advice for prospective students on the impacts of Brexit.
Questions
If you have a question about PhD funding please contact the Graduate School.
Graduate School
- School of Biological Sciences
Contact details
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
Mary Brück Building
The King's Buildings
Colin Maclaurin Road- City
- Edinburgh
- Post Code
- EH9 3DW
Availability
Monday to Friday
09.00-17.00 GMT