Key information
Purpose of this studentship: To support science graduates from Black backgrounds to undertake a PhD within the field of diabetes in the UK and to encourage them to consider a career in scientific research.
Career level: science graduates who would like to study for a PhD in the field of diabetes.
Duration: 3 years starting in September 2026
Number of studentships to be awarded: 1
Deadlines for applications: There are two separate application forms for the supervisor and student.
Supervisor applications deadline: 29 August 2025
Student applications deadline: 23 January 2026 (opens on 1 December 2025)
Supervisors
Eligibility criteria
- This funding scheme is suitable for supervisors looking to recruit a science graduate to undertake a PhD in diabetes-related research. This PhD studentship is not suitable for those with medical degrees or members of the Allied Healthcare Professions, and who should refer to our Sir George Alberti Clinical Training Fellowship
- All applications must have one lead and one co-supervisor who are located at the host institute
- Applications from junior researchers should include a senior supervisor based at the same UK institute as the principal applicant, with a track record in PhD supervision, on the application
- Supervisors will have a tenured post or be able to demonstrate that they will have a salary for the lifetime of the grant
- We will allow part-time supervisors to apply however the co-supervisor will need to be in full time position for the duration of the grant or have a tenured position.
- The research must take place at an established research institution in the UK and applications will only be accepted form researchers working at academic institutes or NHS Trusts.
- Awards are made to projects that have clear relevance to the aims of our research strategy and provide training in diabetes research within a supportive environment.
- Supervisors can only apply to one of our two PhD funding schemes - Standard PhD Studentship scheme or Black Leaders in Diabetes PhD Studentship scheme; supervisors cannot apply to both PhD funding schemes
- We will only accept one application in a grant round from each Supervisor.
How to apply
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Read the general guidelines for grant applicants and tips for writing a grant application.
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Log on to the Diabetes UK grants management system.
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Complete all sections of the online application form.
Financial and mentorship support for students and supervisors
Each studentship offers a comprehensive funding and support package designed to enable students to succeed in their PhD programme and advance their career, including:
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Student stipend for three years.
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Student tuition fees at standard home student rate.
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Conference attendance for the student – funding for up to £2,500 for the duration of the award to cover registration, travel and accommodation. These must be reasonable and fully justified and will be agreed by the Review Panel.
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Student training costs of up to £1,500 relevant to the project may also be requested.
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Students will have access to a mentorship programme provided by Windsor Fellowship and will have an opportunity to networking with other Diabetes UK funded students.
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A research allowance of £10,000 per year to cover all materials, consumables, equipment, any other relevant resources and animal costs.
The stipend offered for studentships is currently:
Application process
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Supervisor applications will be reviewed by a Scientific Panel largely comprised of members of the Diabetes UK Research Committee. The Panel may also include other established researchers depending on the research areas submitted by the supervisors PhD Studentship applications are not externally reviewed.
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Student applications will be reviewed for eligibility and shortlisted for interviews based on their applications.
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Shortlisted students will be invited to mock interviews organised by Windsor Fellowship before they are formally interviewed by their chosen Sponsor. This will provide students the opportunity to test graduate recruitment tools, including presentations and competency-based interview techniques, to prepare them for their future interviews.
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Supervisors will then interview their preferred candidates.
Assessment criteria
Supervisor applications for this scheme will be assessed by the Scientific Panel on the following criteria:
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Relevance of project to diabetes
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Supervisor’s training record and training environment
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Suitability of project for PhD training
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Scientific quality of proposed project
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Additional support the supervisor can provide to the student from a Black background
The Chair of the Black Leaders in Diabetes Advisory Panel and a member of Windsor Fellowship will attend the Panel meeting where applications will be discussed but will not participate in the assessment of the applications
Students
Eligibility criteria
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Students must have UK nationality and have ‘Home’ tuition fee status.
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Students must be UK domiciled who self-identify as being from a Black background, including a mixed background, for example: Black British, Black Welsh, Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other and Mixed Black background.
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Students must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in disciplines related to sciences. A lower grade of 2:2 in your undergraduate degree will be considered with an accompanying Master's degree.
How to apply
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Applications will open on 1 December 2025
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Log on to the Diabetes UK grants management system
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Complete all sections of the online application form.
If you have any queries or would like support at any stage of the application process, we strongly encourage you to contact us at research@diabetes.org.uk and we will be happy to give you advice and guidance on preparing your application.
Insight Session for students
Diabetes UK will host an online insight session in November 2025 to provide prospective student applicants the chance to hear about the scheme and the application process, as well as hearing first-hand what it is like to undertake a PhD from a current student. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions about the scheme. A recording of the 2025 session will be shared here however you can find a link to the session from 2024 for information here.
Funding decision
The final funding decision on which student should be offered the PhD will be made by the Chair of the Scientific Panel and the Chair of the Advisory Panel. This decision will be based on the strength of the student's personal statement, interview performance, and feedback from the Supervisor.
Next steps after funding decision
Students and Supervisors will be notified of the outcomes within a week of the final funding decision. Please refer to the timeline below. Feedback letters will be sent to all students (successful and unsuccessful) within two weeks of the final funding decision.
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The successful supervisor will have one week to respond to comments raised by the Panel. Following approval, an award letter will be issued.
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Unsuccessful supervisors whose projects have been deemed as fundable are able to reapply however the project would be in competition with other projects in future rounds
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The successful student will be required to register for the PhD postgraduate course at the awarded University.
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Unsuccessful students can reapply to the scheme and guidance can be provided.
Timeline
|
Step |
Date |
|
Applications for supervisors close |
29 August 2025 |
|
Scientific Panel Meeting |
November 2025 |
|
Awards issued |
December 2025 |
|
Insight session for potential students |
November 2025 (TBC) |
|
Applications for students open |
1 December 2025 |
|
Applications for students close |
23 January 2026 |
|
Shortlisting of students |
February 2026 |
|
Student mock interviews with Windsor Fellowship |
March 2026 |
|
Student interviews with Supervisor |
March-April 2026 |
|
Student outcomes |
April 2026 |
|
Successful students register at University |
May-June 2026 |
|
PhD Studentship begins |
September 2026 |
Please contact research@diabetes.org.uk if you require any further information.
