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.

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.

Browse PhD Projects

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	Open	Visit Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships Applications for admission are now closed. Allocation of this scholarship will be incorporated in the EastBio recruitment process. The deadline for EastBio applications is 17 January 2025. Browse PhD Projects
Darwin Trust PhD Scholarships	Open	Download an application pack from the Darwin Trust website no later than 4 January 2025. Application form must be submitted to the Darwin Trust by 15 January 2025. Browse PhD Projects
Carnegie Trust Scholarships	Closed	This scheme is currently paused. For further information please visit Carnegie Trust PhD Scholarships
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	Open	Visit EastBio The deadline for applications is 17 January 2025.
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)	Open	Visit E5 Applications for both student and supervisor-led projects is 06 January 2025.
Medical Research Council (MRC)	Open	Visit Precision Medicine Applications for admission must be submitted by 13 January 2025.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	Open	Visit EPSRC. Various supervisor-led projects available. Student-led projects welcome. For more information contact: grad.biol@ed.ac.uk Deadlines are normally early February.
Staff Scholarships (University of Edinburgh staff)	TBC	Visit Staff Scholarships
Ker Memorial PhD Studentship	Closed	Visit Edinburgh Infectious Diseases

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 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.

BREXIT Advice for Applicants

The University provides advice for prospective students on the impacts of Brexit.

Brexit advice for prospective students

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

Mary Brück Building
The King's Buildings
Colin Maclaurin Road

Edinburgh

EH9 3DW

Availability

Monday to Friday
09.00-17.00 GMT

This article was published on 2024-06-17