Guidance on how to apply for advertised PhD projects - applicants seeking funding. How Do I Apply for PhD Funding?Applying for funding is a separate process to applying for admission to one of our PhD programmes. To study you will be required to complete a programme application through the University’s admission system (EUCLID) and complete and submit any documents following the funders application process. In some cases, a scholarship provider (e.g. EastBio) may require you to submit a document as part of your PhD application, for both to be considered simultaneously. This could be a reference letter using a specific format or a scholarship application form. Ensure you submit all required documents for both your programme application and scholarship application. PhD ProjectsYou can search for open projects within the School of Biological Sciences using the links below. Each project will detail if funding is provided, and what this includes – such as cover for tuition fees, a living allowance (stipend) and project grant to support your research. Browse PhD Projects How Do I Apply to a PhD Programme? Applications to our PhD programme are through the University’s Admission Hub (also called EUCLID). Before submitting your application:You will need to meet the University's Postgraduate entry requirements. Applicants can find international equivalents on the Postgraduate research programme degree finder.Postgraduate research programmesConsider if you looking to undertake a research project proposed by yourself or if you are looking for an open project devised by one of our academics. If you a looking to develop your own project, you will need to submit a research proposal as part of your Euclid application.Browse PhD ProjectsContact your proposed supervisor to discuss your research proposal or the advertised project you are interested in. Supervisors are based in one of our six Research Institutes.Research InstitutesAcademic Staff List When applying through the University’s admission system (EUCLID) you will be asked to indicate which funder(s) you are applying to be considered. You can apply to multiple projects (or scholarship opportunities) with one programme application but ensure you include all the relevant documents required from the funder. This may be specific templates for reference letters or a scholarship form which should be added as an additional document in your EUCLID application. Apply to a PhD programme Document EUCLID Guidance - Self Funded and Sponsored Applicants (7.71 MB / PDF) PhD Funders linked to the School of Biological Sciences Funding BodyFunding SchemeFunding StatusHow to ApplyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and The University of EdinburghEastBio Doctoral Landscape AwardOpenVisit EastBio for application guidance.The application deadline is 16 November.Browse PhD ProjectsThe Darwin Trust of EdinburghPhD ScholarshipsOpenVisit the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh.The application deadline is 06 January.Browse PhD ProjectsThe University of EdinburghEdinburgh Doctoral College ScholarshipsOpenVisit Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships. In addition to tuition fee cover and a 4-year stipend, our School provides a project grant matching the EastBio DLA award. This is worth £5,000 in years 1-3 and £1,000 in year 4.Applications will open 19 October 2026. Allocation of this scholarship will be incorporated in the EastBio recruitment process, with the awarded applicant able to take advantage of the EastBio training programme. The deadline for EastBio applications is 16 November.Browse PhD ProjectsEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and The University of EdinburghCollege of Science and Engineering Doctoral Landscape Award Opening soonVisit EPSRC. Further information will be available late 2026. Application deadlines are normally early February. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) E5 Doctoral Landscape AwardOpenVisit E5 Once open, applicants will have until the 20 October to gain approval for a student-led project proposal or up to 02 December to apply for a supervisor-led project.Medical Research Council (MRC) and The University of EdinburghPrecision Medicine Training ProgrammeOpenVisit Precision Medicine.The application deadline is anticipated to be mid-January for 2027-28 entry.The University of EdinburghStaff ScholarshipsOpenVisit Staff Scholarships. Enquiries should be directed to sbsdirector.graduateschool@ed.ac.uk. Carnegie TrustPhD ScholarshipsClosedThis scheme is currently paused. For further information please visit Carnegie Trust PhD ScholarshipsMiss Aileen Ker and familyKer Memorial PhD StudentshipClosedVisit Edinburgh Infectious DiseasesAdditional funding opportunities within The University of Edinburgh Scholarships and Student Funding When Should I Apply for PhD Funding? Remember that different deadlines, eligibilities and selection procedures apply depending on the source of funding. However, you must complete both funding application and programme application. In a few cases these applications may be linked (e.g. Eastbio) where they request funding application documents are uploaded into your programme application. Do I Need to Apply for PhD Funding? Applying for funding is an optional process. You may also fund your studies yourself, or find an external sponsor. How to Apply - Externally Sponsored or Self Funded PhD What happens after I apply for a PhD? 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 for a skype/telephone interview if you cannot attend in person. Interviews for funded positions are normally held in February/March. Please check your scholarship providers timeline for further information. Please note, if you are applying for a scholarship, your EUCLID programme application may be kept on hold while we wait an outcome on your scholarship application. QuestionsIf you have a question about PhD funding please contact the Graduate School. Graduate School School of Biological Sciences Contact details Work: +44 (0)131 651 7160 Email: Grad.biol@ed.ac.uk This article was published on Friday 23 October 2026
