4Ward North PhD Academy / Application Stage 2

Stage 2: Forward North PhD Fellows

Deadline: Monday, 25 January 2027 (9am)

All health professionals successful at Stage 1 are invited to attend an advice panel in order to develop their applications further. Advice panels will run in the week beginning on 2 November 2026.

Following the Stage 2 application deadline, approximately 10 candidates will be shortlisted for interview. Successful fellows will start their PhD programme between 1 August and 1 October 2027.

Applications will be judged on the quality of the proposals submitted and the importance of the research question, as well as its novelty and its translational impact. The science is expected to be of an excellent quality and the training offered to be first class.

Health professionals should consider the range of expertise available across the four universities involved in the Academy, and attempt to maximise the opportunity that this provides in developing their project and their supervisory team.

We will not accept applications where academic supervision is located solely in one university.

Health professionals shortlisted in Stage 2 will be invited to an interview.

Those successful at Stage 1 but not Stage 2 will be supported and mentored through the application process to other funders. The Academy can support all clinical professions across the breadth of the four universities.

How to apply to Stage 2

Please also complete the Stage 2 EDI Survey.

Applying for predoctoral support

If you wish to apply for predoctoral support, please also:

Send completed application forms in a PDF format by email to forwardnorth@manchester.ac.uk by 9am on Monday 25 January 2027.

 

Key dates

  • Advice panels for Stage 2 applicants: Week beginning 2 November 2026
  • Deadline for Stage 2 applicants: Monday, 25 January 2027
  • Stage 2 outcomes communicated: Week beginning 1 March 2027
  • Interviews: Thursday, 25 March 2027
The University of Manchester