EastBio Funded PhD Studentship in Biological Sciences UK 2026

The EastBio funded PhD studentship in biological sciences is open to applicants worldwide who meet UKRI funding eligibility requirements. Projects can be browsed from 19 October, and the deadline for submitting a complete application is 16 November 2026.

The award supports doctoral research through EastBio projects spanning the full remit of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Some projects are co-delivered with non-academic CASE partners. Applicants exploring other options can browse scholarships, PhD funding opportunities, and opportunities for Arab applicants.

About the EastBio Funded PhD Studentship

Applicants can review available EastBio projects through the EastBio FindAPhD link from 19 October. Each applicant may apply for only one EastBio project, regardless of the institution hosting it. After choosing a project, applicants should first contact its associated supervisor. The supervisor’s name and details are provided in the project advert. A guide called How to Meet My Supervisor is also available ahead of each recruitment round.

The studentship covers tuition fees at the UK home-fee level, provides a stipend, and includes an annual research grant. The source does not state the amounts of the stipend or research grant. Students who need a visa to study in the UK should account for visa costs and health insurance surcharges themselves, as these are not covered by the studentship.

A complete application requires the EastBio application form, academic transcripts, two references submitted on the EastBio Reference Form, and the EastBio Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) candidate survey. The survey is completed anonymously, but applicants must copy its unique response ID onto the application form. References may be academic or professional; references from project supervisors are not accepted. Where possible, referees should submit their forms directly. References must arrive by the application deadline.

Applicants must send the complete application and required documents to the institution hosting their chosen project, following the instructions in that project’s FindAPhD advert. The EDI survey is live from 4 October to 17 November. This does not extend the application deadline: complete applications and references are due by 16 November, and late applications will not be accepted.

EastBio also lists online Q&A sessions hosted by the Partnership Manager and first- and second-year student representatives. The sessions are scheduled for 26 October, 15:30–16:30, and 5 November, 09:30–10:30. A further session is listed for 25 November, 16:00–17:00, after the application deadline. Questions are treated with discretion. Applicants can contact the local administrator named in the project advert about the application process, the project supervisor about project-specific questions, or EastBio for general enquiries.

Who Should Apply

This studentship is intended for candidates interested in doctoral research within the broad areas covered by BBSRC and able to meet UKRI funding terms. Applicants need an upper second-class undergraduate degree or an international equivalent; a master’s degree is not required. Applications are open worldwide, subject to the applicable UKRI international eligibility criteria.

Key Highlights

• Funded doctoral studentship through the EastBio Doctoral Landscape Award.
• Projects span the BBSRC remit and may involve non-academic CASE partners.
• Tuition is covered at the UK home-fee level, with a stipend and annual research grant.
• Applicants may submit an application for one EastBio project only.
• Application deadline: 16 November 2026; late applications are not accepted.
• Visa costs and health insurance surcharges are not covered for students who require a UK study visa.