Forge the career you want

Imagine a future where you're fully-funded to research your passion, mentored by global leaders in their field.

Where you follow in the footsteps of legendary researchers, at the place where the atom was split, graphene was discovered, and AI was born.

The President’s Doctoral Scholarship (PDS) aims to catalyse interdisciplinary research and new ways of working across our three faculties, supporting doctoral researchers to address global challenges. There is a defined unifying research theme for each annual cohort, with the best projects chosen for recruitment of exceptional PhD students. The PDS is supported by the University's President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison.

Benefits of the scholarship

  • Open to all nationalities and across all research disciplines.
  • Four year fully-funded studentship.
  • Tuition fees at home or international rate. Annual maintenance stipend equivalent to UKRI minimum stipend (£21,805 for 2026 / 27), plus a £1,000 enhancement to the annual stipend. 
  • Up to £20,000 research, training, and skills development grant (RTSG).

Available projects

There are eight to ten projects available for entry in the 2027 / 28 academic cycle.

All of these projects are designed to address this year's theme, “Sensing the World”. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the projects investigate how we sense and make sense of the world, and how this shapes our understanding of, and responses to, contemporary societal, health, environmental, economic and industrial challenges.

Projects which are eligible for this funding will be advertised soon.

What you need to do

In order to be considered for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Have submitted an application for a PhD programme by the published deadline.
  • Hold (or expect to achieve) a First Class or 2:1 UK honours degree (or international equivalent) and meet the offer criteria for entry to the chosen programme.
  • Ideally hold a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent).
  • Have some research related experience that demonstrates potential for academic research. This may include undergraduate projects, placements, internships, contributions to publications/articles, promoting research or project outcomes to a wider audience, prizes for previous work or setting up collaborations with other groups.
  • Be able to demonstrate involvement in broader activities e.g. outreach, volunteering, community engagement, engagement in EDIA and other extra-curricular activities.

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.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).

All appointments are made on merit.

Join our newsletter

Sign-up to our newsletter and receive updates about scholarships and funding opportunities, along with further tips on applying for postgraduate research in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

  • Find out about the latest featured and live projects.
  • Be the first to hear about newly launched funding opportunities and events.
  • Listen to advice and tips from current postgraduate researchers and our support teams.
  • And much more...

Sign up