Key information
- Purpose: 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 2027
- Number of studentships to be awarded: 1 (success rate: 50%)
- Applications for Supervisors open: week commencing 20 April 2026
- Applications for Supervisors close: 4 August 2026
Eligibility criteria
- This funding scheme is suitable for supervisors looking to recruit a science graduate from a Black background 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, 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
- Part-time supervisors can apply, but the co-supervisor must be full-time or tenured for the grant duration.
- 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.
- Supervisors can only apply to one of our two PhD funding schemes - the 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.
Financial support
Three-year stipend for Studentships funded in 2026 (starting academic year 2027).
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Inner London | £23,805 | £24,495 | £25,205 |
| Outer London | £22,437 | £23,088 | £23,758 |
Please note we will review stipends annually ahead of opening future rounds.
Tuition fees for UK students at Home rate only. International students may apply, however international fees must be self-funded or supported by the institute.
A research allowance of £10,000 per year to cover all materials, consumables, equipment and animal costs.
Applicants may request a maximum of £2,500 for conferences across 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.
Training costs of up to £1,500 relevant to the project may also be requested.
Students will have an opportunity to network with other Diabetes UK funded students.
How to apply
To apply, please:
- read the general guidelines for grant applicants and tips for writing a grant application
- log on to the Diabetes UK online grants management system
complete all sections of the online application form.
Administrative processes
Applications are sent to a Panel largely comprised of members of the Diabetes UK Research Committee, as well as other established researchers. The Panel is reviewed each year to reflect the application portfolio. PhD Studentship applications are not externally peer reviewed.
The Panel assesses applications as per the below criteria, and the top-scoring applications are discussed at a Panel meeting before funding recommendations are made.
Assessment criteria
Applications are judged on the following criteria:
- Relevance of project to diabetes
- Supervisor’s training record and training environment
- Suitability of project for PhD training
- Scientific quality of proposed project
Funding decisions
Final funding decisions will be made in November.
Feedback letters will be sent to all lead applicants within one month of the Panel meeting. Applicants who are recommended for funding will have two weeks to respond to comments raised by the Panel and should expect to receive an award letter (contingent on a satisfactory response) within two months of the Panel meeting.
Eligibility criteria
- Students must have UK nationality and have ‘Home’ tuition fee status.
- 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.
- Applicants must meet the academic qualifications required by the host institution.
Resubmissions
Diabetes UK policy is to only accept resubmissions which have been invited by the Panel. You will be informed in your feedback letter if you have been invited for a resubmission. When resubmitting an application, please include a cover letter indicating how the application has addressed the Panel's comments.
Student recruitment post-award
Please note the changes to this scheme below.
Student recruitment will be managed by the awarded supervisors and will follow the host university’s standard procedures, but must also adhere to the student eligibility criteria outlined below.
Student eligibility criteria
Students recruited to this studentship must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Students must have UK nationality and have ‘Home’ tuition fee status.
- 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.
- Applicants must meet the academic qualifications required by the host institution.
Support with student recruitment
Diabetes UK is able to assist supervisors and host universities by promoting student recruitment through our networks.
Once a student has been recruited, please share the student’s details with Diabetes UK.
If you require any further information, please contact research@diabetes.org.uk.
