PhD funding opportunities for health research in the UK

Embarking on a postgraduate degree is an exciting step in your academic journey, but the question of funding can often loom large. Securing financial support is crucial for allowing you to focus on your research and studies without unnecessary stress.

Fortunately, there are numerous avenues to explore, from prestigious fellowships to specialised studentships. In this blog post, we'll delve into various funding options specifically designed for postgraduate students in the health sciences, helping you navigate the landscape and find the resources you need to bring your research aspirations to life. Whether you're pursuing a doctorate in the sciences, humanities, or social sciences, there's likely a funding opportunity tailored to your field. Let's explore the possibilities!

Key funding sources for UK postgraduate students

Find a PhD

A good place to start your search for funding is at Find a PhD. It is a database of all kinds of PhD options. Use the filters and see what it puts on the table. 

NIHR Doctoral Fellowships

The NIHR Doctoral Fellowships provide funding for individuals to undertake a PhD in health and care research. These fellowships are designed to support the development of future leaders in research and are targeted at those with a health-related background. There are also other NIHR opportunities for doctoral students, so do browse around. 

UKRI Studentships and Doctoral Training

UKRI offers a wide range of studentships and doctoral training opportunities across various disciplines. These studentships provide funding for doctoral research and often include a stipend for living expenses and coverage of tuition fees. UKRI funding is a major source of postgraduate funding in the UK.

Research Council Studentships

Research Council studentships, which are managed by UKRI councils, are a significant source of funding for PhD students in the UK. They cover a wide array of academic fields, from the sciences to the arts and humanities. This guide from FindAPhD gives important information regarding how those studentships function.

Wellbeing of Women Doctoral Fellowships

These doctoral fellowships support research focused on improving women's reproductive health and wellbeing. The fellowships provide funding for PhD studies in relevant areas of research. There may be other funding opportunities as well, so keep an eye out for them. 

Wellcome Four-Year PhD Programmes and Studentships

Wellcome offers four-year PhD programmes and studentships. These programmes provide comprehensive training and support for doctoral research in biomedical science, fostering the development of future leaders in the field. They also offer Master’s studentships. 

ESRC Funding for Postgraduate Training and Development

The ESRC, part of UKRI, provides funding for postgraduate training and development. This funding supports doctoral research and training through Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and other initiatives, covering a broad range of disciplines. Scroll down on their page to see all the different opportunities available. 

Cystic Fibrosis Trust Research Funding

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust provides funding for research related to cystic fibrosis, including opportunities for postgraduate students. This funding supports research aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by cystic fibrosis.

Next steps on your funding journey

Securing funding for your postgraduate studies can seem daunting, but with careful planning and research, it's entirely achievable. We hope this guide has provided you with a solid starting point. Remember to investigate each opportunity thoroughly, pay close attention to deadlines, and tailor your applications to the specific requirements. Your dedication to your research deserves support; with the right funding, you can turn your academic aspirations into reality. 

Good luck!

A small favour

We’d love to keep this list up to date and help it to grow to be more useful for potential PhD students like you. If you come across more helpful postgraduate funding opportunities, please pass them on to us. Also, if any of the links are broken or dysfunctional, let us know via email at info@researchmasterminds.com.

Thank you to Jakub Zerdzicki for the cover photo.