HARPNET Doctoral Scholarship supports fifteen fully-funded doctoral positions in Resolution Pharmacology hosted across seven European countries, with one central application allowing up to three project choices. This opportunity targets candidates enthusiastic about ambitious biomedical research and international, interdisciplinary training.
The scholarship is provided by the HARPNET consortium, offering supervision across academic, clinical and industrial partners, specialist training, international secondments, access to advanced technologies and participation in network-wide training, workshops and conferences.
HARPNET Doctoral Scholarship Benefits
- Undertake an innovative research project addressing an important biomedical challenge.
- Receive supervision from experts across academic, clinical and industrial organisations.
- Become part of a cohort of 15 interconnected doctoral researchers.
- Gain specialist training in Resolution Biology and Resolution Pharmacology.
- Access advanced technologies including multi-omics, spatial biology, lipid-mediator profiling, computational modelling and drug-discovery platforms;
- Complete international and intersectoral secondments.
- Participate in training schools, workshops, consortium meetings and an international final conference.
- Develop transferable skills in communication, entrepreneurship, intellectual property, regulatory science and research leadership.
- Build a professional network spanning universities, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, healthcare and patient organisations.
HARPNET Doctoral Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment; applicants who have successfully defended a doctoral thesis but have not yet formally received the degree may also be considered ineligible under MSCA rules.
- Applicants must possess the academic qualifications required for enrolment in a doctoral programme at the relevant degree-awarding institution; precise degree and subject requirements differ between projects and are stated in each position description.
- Applicants may be of any nationality but must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule for the country in which their selected project is based, generally not having resided or carried out their principal activity in the recruiting country for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment.
- Candidates must have sufficient proficiency in English to undertake doctoral research, participate in network training and communicate their findings; individual hosts may require formal evidence.
- Applicants must meet any additional academic, technical, or institutional project-specific requirements and are encouraged to contact the relevant supervisor for further information on salary and additional employment benefits.
How to Apply for HARPNET Doctoral Scholarship
- Complete one central online application through the HARPNET website and may indicate first, second and third project choices.
- Provide a curriculum vitae.
- Provide academic qualifications and relevant transcripts.
- Provide a statement explaining motivation for their first-choice project.
- Provide a statement explaining why they wish to join HARPNET.
- List their three preferred doctoral projects, ranked in order.
- Provide a summary of relevant research, technical or professional experience.
- Provide contact details for referees.
- Provide information required to assess MSCA eligibility and mobility-rule compliance.
- Submit any supporting documents requested by the relevant host institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the HARPNET Doctoral Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, the selection process, and how to apply for the HARPNET PhD positions.
How many positions are available?
HARPNET is offering fifteen fully-funded doctoral positions in Resolution Pharmacology, hosted across seven European countries. The site explicitly states the number of positions as 15 and indicates candidates will join a cohort of interconnected doctoral researchers.
When does the application open and what is the deadline?
The application period opens on 1 August 2026 and the application deadline is 1 October 2026. The indicative recruitment timeline on the HARPNET site lists the online application period as 1 August – 1 October 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants of any nationality may apply provided they do not already hold a doctoral degree at recruitment and possess the academic qualifications for enrolment in the relevant doctoral programme. Applicants must also satisfy the MSCA mobility rule for the chosen host country and have sufficient English proficiency.
What is the MSCA mobility rule requirement?
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their principal activity in the recruiting country for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment. Short stays such as holidays and compulsory national service are normally excluded.
What documents are required in the application?
Applicants must submit a central online application including a CV, academic qualifications and transcripts, motivation statements for project choice and for joining HARPNET, ranked project preferences, a summary of relevant experience, referees’ contact details, MSCA eligibility information, and any supporting documents requested by host institutions.
How will applications be assessed?
Applications undergo an administrative eligibility assessment for doctoral eligibility, mobility-rule compliance, minimum qualifications and mandatory documentation. Eligible applications are then assessed scientifically by supervisors on academic and research profile, project fit, scientific potential, motivation and interdisciplinary outlook.
What are the stages of selection?
HARPNET uses a three-stage coordinated process: Stage 1 is application and scientific shortlisting; Stage 2 involves virtual consortium interviews (provisionally late October–early November); Stage 3 comprises final in-person interviews in London for shortlisted candidates.
When are virtual and in-person interviews scheduled?
Virtual interviews are scheduled between 19 October and 14 November 2026. In-person interviews in London are scheduled between 19 November and 12 December 2026, according to the recruitment timeline on the HARPNET site.
Are international secondments and training included?
Yes. HARPNET doctoral candidates will complete international and intersectoral secondments and participate in training schools, workshops, consortium meetings and an international final conference as part of the training and networking programme.
How can I start my application?
Candidates should start their application through the HARPNET application portal linked on the site. The page provides an ‘Apply now’ link to the application portal and a button labelled ‘Start your application’ directing applicants to the online application.
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