We are seeking innovative projects for PhD studentships to commence in October 2025. Projects must focus on Biotechnology and include a three-month minimum placement with an industrial partner. Projects will be funded at a 50% intervention rate for four years.   

Background 

IBioIC has been funded by the Scottish Funding Council to deliver supporting activities to the Biotechnology Industry and our academic community. A key focus is the support of industrially relevant PhD projects that bring biotechnology closer to industrialisation. IBioIC currently manage a PhD portfolio which includes IBioIC and BBSRC funded projects, all delivered as part of our Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP).  

All IBioIC project applications are assessed by way of competition. This paper is a call for PhD projects commencing October 2025. It sets out the rules, processes and guidelines on how this competition will be operated.  IBioIC reserves the right to alter these processes at any stage.  Any changes of process will be notified to all applicants. 

Value and Funding 

The anticipated annual cost of a studentship for academic year 2025-2026 is detailed below and will be confirmed or adjusted to reflect UKRI fees/ stipend level once known. 

• Fees: £4,925 

• Stipend:  £19,795 

• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG): £5,000 

The studentship monies will be transferred directly to the lead host university or HEI by IBioIC. 

It is expected that £1500 per annum of the RTSG will be ring-fenced by the host university or HEI to support IBioIC cohort training activities. Evidence of spend against this requirement may be requested by IBioIC throughout the project.  

Number of PhD projects to be awarded 

Up to eight (8) studentships will be awarded. Some studentships will be awarded in collaboration with DTP/DLA partners and other suitable collaborators. 

Cohort Training Programme 

All students awarded funding as part of this competition will be considered to be a member of the IBioIC CTP. As a member of the IBioIC CTP the conditions set out in the project competition paper must be met. 

How to Apply  

To apply for a studentship, please complete the IBioIC PhD Project Application Form and the PhD funding template spreadsheet, downloadable from the links below.

The prospective principal investigator or project lead at the host university or HEI should complete the Project Application Form and submit it with the funding template and any associated letters of support to the IBioIC Skills Team (skills@ibioic.com) before midday 2nd December 2024.