Fourteen MRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) will support over 200 researchers a year for the next three years, at universities right across the UK.
The awards support PhD research across the breadth of medical science from discovery to early translation.
Researchers will also develop skills in areas such as:
- data science
- artificial intelligence
- entrepreneurship
The first researchers supported through the awards are expected to be recruited later this year, starting their PhDs in October 2027.
Beyond academia
As part of their PhDs, researchers will work with businesses, NHS organisations, charities and public sector partners through:
- placements
- collaborative projects
- specialist training
These experiences will give them first-hand insight into how research is carried out in different settings and prepare them for a range of careers.
Altogether, PhD training will support researchers to develop their understanding of how their discoveries can be translated into future innovation in:
- early diagnosis
- advanced therapies
- precision prevention
Future impact, future leaders
Dr Joanna Robinson, Director of Research Talent, Skills and Careers at MRC, said:
Medical research depends on talented people.
These awards will support doctoral researchers to develop deep scientific expertise alongside the broader capabilities needed for successful and rewarding careers across research, healthcare, industry and policy.
By investing in researchers at the start of their careers, we are helping to strengthen the UK’s medical research workforce and enable discoveries that improve lives.
Investing in people
Through DLAs, MRC funds universities and university partnerships to provide PhD training, supporting researchers’ fees, stipend, and research costs.
DLAs form part of MRC’s long-term investment in the people and capabilities needed to support a strong research and innovation system.
They will ensure the UK has the expertise needed to support a thriving life sciences sector.
Further information
The 14 MRC Doctoral Landscape Awards are:
- Cardiff University with University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Exeter
- Imperial College London
- Kings College London
- Queen’s University Belfast with Ulster University
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Birmingham with University of Leicester, University of Nottingham
- University College London with Birkbeck, University of London
- University of Dundee
- University of East Anglia
- The University of Edinburgh with University of Glasgow
- UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative: University of Exeter with The University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, King’s College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford
- The University of Manchester with University of Liverpool
- University of Sheffield with Durham University, Newcastle University, University of Leeds, University of York
- University of Warwick
