PhD by Enterprise Programme – Funded Studentships
Ready to turn your research into real‑world impact?
The University of Manchester’s PhD by Enterprise is a new four‑year doctoral programme that combines world‑class research with structured entrepreneurship training.
Background
Accelerating research impact through innovation is central to the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy, including the ambition to become Europe’s most inclusive innovation ecosystem. The PhD by Enterprise programme supports this by enabling the University’s research portfolio to generate tangible economic, environmental and societal impact through venture creation and enterprise-led pathways.
The University is investing nearly £2 million in this initiative.
About the programme
Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) will:
- progress their research while developing enterprise and commercial capabilities;
- advance their work through relevant Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), alongside market and customer discovery;
- submit a doctoral thesis focused on original research, incorporating a business plan as a defined component (approximately 20%).
The programme aims to empower PGRs to translate research into impactful solutions addressing global challenges such as climate change, health and inequality.
The programme is delivered through Unit M, in partnership with the Doctoral Academies, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, and the Innovation Factory.
Programme objectives
- Integrate research with innovation
Enable PGRs to advance high‑quality research while developing enterprise skills that support translation and impact. - Support technology readiness progression
Facilitate progression through TRLs, from early‑stage concepts to deployment, supporting IP development and exploitation. - Develop commercial capability
Equip PGRs with skills to develop business plans, explore commercialisation routes, and prepare investment‑ready pitches. - Enable venture creation
Support the formation of start‑ups, spin‑outs, or other impactful enterprises through access to networks, expertise and practical guidance. - Provide wrap‑around support
Offer coordinated academic supervision, enterprise training, and tailored mentoring from across the University ecosystem.
Studentships available for 2026/27
Fully funded studentships are available to start in 2026/27 and provide the following:
- Funding at the UKRI stipend rate, £21,805
- Tuition fees
- Up to £20,000 RTSG per studentship, depending on the research project
- Additional support for entrepreneurship training and customer discovery activities
- Visa and immigration costs reimbursed for successful international PGRs
Find a project
If the search widget and projects do not display then you can browse our PhD by Enterprise awards on the FindAPhD.com website.
What you need to do
These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home or international fees.
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area.
We actively welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
Applications for 2026/27 are now open until May 29, 2026.
Choose your research project from the FindAPhD listing above.
Contact the supervisor of the project or projects that are of interest to you. You will be able to do this using the link in the advert. Discuss with them if you would be a good fit for their project based on your academic background and experience.
Complete an application form before the application deadline (see key dates below). To be considered for a PhD by Enterprise project, use this link to complete a formal application form though our online portal.
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your proposed supervisor/s, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You also need to provide a Personal Statement describing the motivation to apply to the project and your CV.
We will be in touch regarding the progress of your application, and the project supervisor may contact you to invite you to an informal interview.
- Applications close: Thursday, 29 May 2026
- Interviews: end of June 2026
- Studentship begins: October 2026
If you have any questions regarding studying at Manchester, please contact the Doctoral Academy Admissions team.
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