BBSRC DTP Scholarship provides fully funded PhD studentships in biological sciences with stipend and tuition fees covered; the focus is on Targeted and iCASE project routes and professional internships.
The scholarship is administered by the Cambridge Biosciences DTP in partnership with University of Cambridge departments and partner institutes, supported by the BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards and offering training, rotations and industrial internship opportunities.
BBSRC DTP Scholarship Benefits
- This is a fully funded programme supported by the BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards.
- An offer of a place includes full funding for your stipend (currently £21,805 for the 2026–27 academic year).
- Payment of the University tuition fees is included.
- For the 2027 intake, approximately 25 studentships will be available.
- The Cambridge Biosciences DTP will cover the costs of student visas and health surcharge for international BBSRC DTP students recruited.
- Funding is provided to cover both fees and a stipend to support living costs.
BBSRC DTP Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants for this course should have achieved a High II.i Honours Degree.
- If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
- The programme is open to international students (EU and non-EU).
How to Apply for BBSRC DTP Scholarship
- Apply through the University’s Applicant Portal; the course is listed as BBSRC DTP PhD in Biological Sciences.
- Enter the project reference (e.g. TRG-YYY-XX or ICS-XXX-YY) in the required field and ensure it matches your chosen project.
- Enter the project title exactly as it appears in the project advertisement and ensure it matches the project reference.
- Provide a brief statement of interest for each project selected explaining interest, relevant discussions with supervisors, and relevant experience or skills.
- Provide short written responses covering motivation for a PhD, innovative thinking, problem-solving, ability to work independently, knowledge of recent developments, understanding of the research process and relevant technical skills.
- You need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references; applications can be submitted before references are submitted but referees must submit by the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the BBSRC DTP Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply to help prospective applicants.
What funding does the BBSRC DTP Scholarship provide?
The programme is fully funded by the BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards. An offer includes full funding for the stipend (currently £21,805 for the 2026–27 academic year) and payment of University tuition fees, and the DTP provides funding to cover visas and the health surcharge for international students where applicable.
Who runs the BBSRC DTP Scholarship?
The scholarship is administered by the Cambridge Biosciences DTP in partnership with University of Cambridge departments and partner institutes, and supported by the BBSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards, offering rotations and professional internships as part of the training.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for 2027 entry are now open and the stated deadline in the programme page is Tuesday 8 December 2026. Applications are considered together after the closing date in December, with admissions following a two-stage selection process.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants should have achieved a High II.i Honours Degree. If the degree is from outside the UK, applicants should check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in their country. The programme is open to international students including EU and non-EU candidates.
How many studentships are available?
For the 2027 intake approximately 25 studentships will be available. The Cambridge Biosciences DTP can offer a limited number of studentships to international candidates, up to 30% of the cohort.
What project types can I apply for?
You can apply for Targeted and/or iCASE studentships in the same application and select up to two projects. Choices can be from the same or different research areas and any combination of project types is allowed, including two Targeted projects, two iCASE projects, or one of each.
What are Targeted studentships?
Targeted studentships involve selecting a project from a list of available projects. Students complete two rotations (one in the project lab and another in a different relevant lab) and undertake a 3-month professional internship in an organisation of their choice as part of their PhD training.
What are iCASE studentships?
iCASE studentships offer a PhD in a University department combined with an internship with an industrial partner connected to the PhD project. Students select from a list of available iCASE projects which include a minimum 3-month internship with the industrial partner.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are considered together after the closing date. Admissions follow a two-stage selection process: supervisors and departments shortlist candidates for an initial interview, and successful candidates are invited to a second interview with the DTP Research Committee. All interviews are conducted online.
What documents are required for the application?
You must complete the University application form including project reference, project title, statements of interest, and short written responses on motivations and skills. You also need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references; applications may be submitted before references are received but must be complete by the deadline.
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