PhD funding opportunities

Funding
Date published
13/02/2025

NIHR ARC East Midlands is pleased to announce an open, competitive call for PhD funding.

As an applied research centre working across the East Midlands, our research aims to improve outcomes for patients and the public and to increase the efficiency, quality, accessibility and sustainability of health and care services.

Research focus

Proposed PhDs should complement the ARC’s portfolio of applied research and address NHS England priorities, including:

Additionally, proposals could consider the NHS Core 20+5 improvement approach. 

It is recommended that you contact the ARC’s Academic Career Development Lead, Dr Emma Rowley, to discuss your ideas prior to submitting your application, as the ARC does not support all areas of applied health and social care research. 

Eligibility and funding 

Successful applicants will conduct their PhD studies at one of the eight universities in the East Midlands: Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Leicester, De Montfort, Lincoln, Derby, Northampton, or Loughborough.

Studentships will be offered at standard UKR&I studentship for Home (UK) students. For Autumn 2025 entry, we expect this to be approximately:

  • £20,780 per annum (stipend) 
  • £5,006 per annum (university fees)
  • Up to £3,000 (total) for research costs

International students are welcome to apply but must provide written evidence on how the funding shortfall will be covered at the time of application (note: this cannot be covered by the stipend). Awards will be available for 3 years (full-time registration) or 6 years (part-time status).

Up to 2 full-time awards are available, commencing in Autumn 2025. 

How to apply 

Applications should be emailed to ARC-EM-training@nottingham.ac.uk by 23.59pm on 01 June 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on 18th or 19th June 2025, held via Microsoft Teams.

For further information, please: