BBSRC PhD Funding

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the main source of UK Government funding for doctoral students in Biology, Biochemistry and related Bioscience fields. A BBSRC PhD studentship will cover your PhD fees and includes a living cost stipend currently set at £20,780 per year.

Thinking about research in Biosciences? You’re surely on the lookout for funding — after all, groundbreaking research doesn’t pay for itself! The BBSRC studentships are the best in the research funding business with full tuition fee cover and a monthly stipend.

I’ve written about how BBSRC funding works, the different types of BBSRC studentships out, eligibility and applications to help turn your brilliant research ideas into cold, hard studentship money.

The BBSRC is one of the seven Research Councils that form part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Each of the Councils within UKRI manages a UK Government budget for research, including training future researchers through PhD studentships.

The BBSRC is responsible for supporting 'pure' Bioscience research as well as its application through new Biotechnology developments and solutions.

The BBSRC funds PhDs in all Biological Science subjects, such as:

• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Toxicology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Organic Chemistry
• Palaeobiology
• Structural Biology

Some interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary BBSRC funding is also offered in partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

What PhD funding does the BBSRC provide?

The BBSRC funds around 2,000 studentships each year. There are three main components to a PhD studentship from the BBSRC:

• A fee payment covering your tuition fees
• A doctoral stipend of £20,780 per year (you will receive slightly more if you are based in London)
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £5,000 per year (covering 'bench fees' such as consumables and materials as well as other expenses directly related to your research)

It's also worth bearing in mind that the value of both amounts rises annually with inflation, which means you'll get the increased amount in each subsequent year of your PhD. The above figures represent the amounts for 2025/26.

How is BBSRC funding allocated?

Prospective students don't apply directly to the BBSRC for PhD funding. Instead, money for studentships is provided to universities and external partner organisations who advertise PhD projects with funding attached.

These projects and studentships are offered within university Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and externally-led Collaborative Training Partnerships (CTPs) or as industrial CASE studentships. Each emphasises slightly different objectives and potential outcomes for a student's PhD.

The BBSRC's Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) are set up by individual universities or by regional networks of universities along with associate non-university partners.

DTPs receive funding for PhD studentships across the whole range of Bioscience fields, with specific projects determined by universities' current research focus.

BBSRC DTPs for 2025

Studying your PhD at a BBSRC DTP

As the name suggests, Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) focus on both research training and completion of your PhD. Your PhD will be hosted by a specific university within your DTP, with a primary supervisor guiding your project. However, you may have a second supervisor from another institution in the network and could spend time at different universities or research centres.

DTPs also offer additional training and professional development, with most studentships lasting four years full-time and following this general structure:

• Year 1: Core skills training (e.g., bioinformatics, statistics, lab techniques) and lab rotations, alongside a literature review of your research area.
• Year 2: Focus shifts to data collection for your project, with the option to complete a Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS).
• Year 3: Dedicated research time, with opportunities for conference presentations and publications. If not done earlier, the PIPS internship takes place now.
• Year 4: Final analysis, thesis writing, and preparation for examination.

Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS)

The PIPS scheme is a key part of a BBSRC DTP PhD, requiring all funded students to complete a three-month placement outside their university. This provides valuable work experience and boosts employability.

Your PIPS placement shouldn’t be directly related to your PhD research (so no assisting in another university lab!) but it can have a connection to science, research or education. You can work with:

• Tech companies (e.g., laboratory equipment manufacturers)
• Government bodies (including the BBSRC itself)
• Publishers and science communication

While host organizations can’t pay interns, your studentship continues during the placement and you may be able to claim travel expenses.

Some BBSRC studentships are offered as industrial Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering (iCASE) awards. These fund projects that are designed and delivered through equal partnerships between universities and external organisations from business and industry.

The key features of studying an iCASE PhD are:

• Projects involve hands-on research, with three to 18 months spent at the partner organization. However, your doctorate will ultimately be awarded by your host university.
• Your PhD funding remains the same, but external partners may cover additional expenses during the time you’re with them.
• No PIPS placement required as the PhD is already industry-focused.

In most cases (no pun intended) iCASE studentships are awarded by DTPs: a member university selects a partner and uses some of its BBSRC funding to develop a project with them. This means that the best way to find an iCASE studentship is to check the details for DTPs in the section above, or search directly for advertised opportunities.

Collaborative Training Partnerships are also set up between universities and external organisations. Unlike DTP and iCASE projects, non-academic partners initiate the project and collaborate with universities to develop it. Your degree will be awarded by the university, but your project will be designed by the external partner who will also cover some of the costs involved.

BBSRC-funded PhD students at CTPs receive essentially the same funding as those at DTPs. Your studentship will run for four years, full time, and will cover fees, maintenance and additional research expenses (subject to eligibility).

CTP projects don't include a separate PIPS internship as all students spend a minimum of three months based with their external partner.

Eligibility for BBSRC PhD funding is broadly the same as for other UKRI studentships. We’ve got detailed eligibility criteria in our UKRI studentships guide but here are the key things you need to remember:

• UK and international students are eligible, but only 30% of awards at each university can go to international students.
• International students are only eligible for tuition fee cover up to the home amount. You may have to pay the difference but stipends cannot be used for this. Some universities may cover this with their own funding.
• To be considered for fully-funded studentships, UK and Irish students must be resident in the UK for at least three years and EU students must have settled status or applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before June 2021.
• Most universities expect at least a 2:1 in a relevant BSc degree but there is no official grade requirement.

You don't apply directly to the BBSRC for PhD funding. Instead studentships are allocated to DTPs and CTPs who advertise PhD projects on their own websites, on university websites and here on FindAPhD.

It is more common for the BBSRC to fund advertised PhD projects. It is very rare for the BBSRC to fund proposed PhD projects. For advertised PhD projects, if you get the PhD you’ll get the funding! This also means it’s often just one application for both.

The first step in applying for BBSRC PhD funding is to find an advertised project to apply to. Once you have done that you should read the description carefully and prepare the necessary application materials.

These will probably include a personal statement (detailing your academic background, research interests and objectives) a covering letter (explaining your interest in the project and your suitability for it) and details of appropriate referees.

If you are shortlisted, you will usually be invited to a PhD interview and given the opportunity to discuss your application in more detail.

BBSRC funding application tips

Applications for BBSRC funding are competitive, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you have the best chance of success:

1. Read carefully and respond specifically – Treat it like a job application. Read the project description carefully and respond to it specifically.
2. Don't just copy and paste – Each application should be unique. Generic or poorly edited statements stand out for the wrong reasons.
3. Remember there's (hopefully) an interview – Use the interview to expand on details mentioned in your statement. Though, beware, Inaccuracies or vague claims may trip you up.
4. Give yourself enough time – Don't rush your application and allow referees enough notice for recommendations.

Tips from the author

I’ve thrown a lot of acronyms at you in this guide and I understand if you’re looking for some more clarity! I’ll rectify it immediately with some more tips and context to help you decide which BBSRC studentship is the best for you.

• DTP projects are the most traditional — you'll be primarily based in a university lab environment (with the exception of your PIPS). This is ideal if you're most interested in academic research.
• iCASE projects are something of a 50/50 option — you'll spend more time at an external partner who will play an integral role in the project. Your PhD will still be delivered as part of a DTP so you’ll still have the university research experience. An iCASE is good if you want to explore more professional applications of your research.
• CTP projects are shaped (and usually instigated) by external partners so you’ll be spending a lot of time with the external partner. They’re perfect if you are interested in pursuing a career in industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

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