UKBHF CHAIN Studentship 2027-28 offers ten fully funded four-year PhD studentships to train multidisciplinary cardiovascular scientists studying the heart–brain axis. The BHF CHAIN Scholarship supports cohort-based training, project rotations across partner institutions, and co-designed PhD projects with expert supervisors, with applications open for 2027/28 entry until 9 November 2026.
The programme is delivered by the CHAIN consortium led by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with the University of Manchester, the University of Bristol and the University of Liverpool. Host institutions will provide training, supervision and access to specialist facilities, and the host university you choose will award your final degree.
BHF CHAIN Studentship Benefits
- Ten fully funded four-year PhD studentships
- Covers tuition fees, research costs and a tax-free stipend for living costs per year at the British Heart Foundation rate
- Year 1: £21,747
- Year 2: £23,520
- Year 3: £25,437
- Year 4: £25,437
- Includes a £3,000 fund for travel to conferences and contributions towards travel costs to partner institutions for training
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BHF CHAIN Studentship Eligibility Criteria
- These studentships are available to applicants that are eligible for home fees only.
- 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 and scientific backgrounds, including cardiovascular science, neuroscience, data science, and engineering.
How to Apply for BHF CHAIN Studentship
- Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme and check the eligibility and entry requirements page.
- Choose your institution: The University of Manchester, The University of Bristol, or The University of Liverpool. You can only apply to one of these institutions.
- Prepare supporting documents to upload when you apply: Supporting statement; Reference details; Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts (or proof of enrolment); Official English language certificates (if applicable); Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Apply online via the relevant institution’s application portal. When applying to Manchester, use the Manchester PG application and select funding: ‘Yes’, type: ‘Uni of Manchester scheme’, awarding body: ‘BHF’, status: ‘Awarded’, funding covers: ‘Fully Funded’.
- When applying to Bristol, apply via Bristol’s postgraduate research application, set level: Postgraduate Research, entry year: 1 September 2027, programme: Clinical Sciences PhD, and in funding select Studentship, Name of funding: BHF, % of funding: 100%, Is this funding secured: Yes.
- When applying to Liverpool, apply online via the provided Liverpool application form link.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Monday, 9 November 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the BHF CHAIN Studentship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, host institutions, how to apply and contact details to help prospective applicants.
What is the BHF CHAIN Studentship Programme?
The BHF CHAIN Studentship offers ten fully funded four-year PhD studentships as a consortium between the British Heart Foundation, the University of Manchester, the University of Bristol and the University of Liverpool. It trains researchers to study the heart–brain axis through multidisciplinary training, rotations and co-designed PhD projects with expert supervisors.
Who can apply for the BHF CHAIN Studentship?
The BHF CHAIN Studentship studentships are available only to applicants who are eligible for home fees. Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK, in an appropriate area.
What does the funding cover?
The BHF CHAIN Studentship programme covers tuition fees, research costs and a tax-free stipend for living costs at the British Heart Foundation rate. The stipend is listed by year: Year 1 £21,747; Year 2 £23,520; Year 3 £25,437; Year 4 £25,437. It also includes a £3,000 travel and conference fund and contributions towards partner institution travel.
How do I apply and can I apply to multiple institutions?
You must apply online via the application portal of one of the three partner universities: Manchester, Bristol or Liverpool. You can only apply to one of these institutions. Follow the specific application instructions for your chosen host and upload all required supporting documents.
What supporting documents are required?
You must upload a supporting statement, reference details (referees will receive automatic reference requests), degree certificates and transcripts or proof of enrolment if still studying, official English language certificates if applicable, and a CV. A research proposal is not required for this programme.
When are applications open and what is the deadline?
Applications for 2027/28 entry open Monday 5 October 2026 and close Monday 9 November 2026. Interviews and studentship award dates are listed as TBC, and the studentship begins in October 2027.
What training will I receive in the first year?
During the first nine months you undertake cohort-based multidisciplinary training across the three institutions, including advanced training courses, group innovation challenges, and three short research project rotations designed to provide cross-institutional multidisciplinary experience.
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
No. The BHF CHAIN Studentship 2027-28
programme states you are not required to contact a supervisor before applying. During the first year you will undertake rotations and later co-design your PhD project with supervisors from your host institution and consortium partners.
How many studentships are available at each institution?
For 2027/28 entry there are four studentships available at the University of Manchester, four at the University of Bristol, and two at the University of Liverpool, making a total of ten studentships across the consortium.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have questions, contact the admissions addresses listed: Manchester at fbmh.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk, Bristol at uob-pgradmissions@bristol.ac.uk, and Liverpool at dtcoordinator@liverpool.ac.uk. You can also sign up for the mailing list for updates.
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