Recruitment begins for 600 future medical researchers

Through a £90 million Medical Research Council (MRC) investment, researchers will undertake PhDs and get experience in academia, healthcare and industry.

Fourteen MRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) will support over 200 researchers a year for the next three years, at universities right across the UK.

The awards support PhD research across the breadth of medical science from discovery to early translation.

Researchers will also develop skills in areas such as:

• data science
• artificial intelligence
• entrepreneurship

The first researchers supported through the awards are expected to be recruited later this year, starting their PhDs in October 2027.

Beyond academia

As part of their PhDs, researchers will work with businesses, NHS organizations, charities and public sector partners through:

• placements
• collaborative projects
• specialist training

These experiences will give them first-hand insight into how research is carried out in different settings and prepare them for a range of careers.

Altogether, PhD training will support researchers to develop their understanding of how their discoveries can be translated into future innovation in:

• early diagnosis
• advanced therapies
• precision prevention

Future impact, future leaders

Medical research depends on talented people. These awards will support doctoral researchers to develop deep scientific expertise alongside the broader capabilities needed for successful and rewarding careers across research, healthcare, industry and policy. By investing in researchers at the start of their careers, we are helping to strengthen the UK’s medical research workforce and enable discoveries that improve lives."

Dr Joanna Robinson, Director of Research Talent, Skills and Careers, Medical Research Council (MRC), UK Research and Innovation

Investing in people

Through DLAs, MRC funds universities and university partnerships to provide PhD training, supporting researchers’ fees, stipend, and research costs.

DLAs form part of MRC’s long-term investment in the people and capabilities needed to support a strong research and innovation system.

They will ensure the UK has the expertise needed to support a thriving life sciences sector.