The GW4 BioMed MRC DTP brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinarity and ‘team science’. Many of the PhD projects supported by the DTP are co-supervised across at least two of the partner universities, allowing students to join existing and emerging research partnerships.
The DTP has awarded over 100 studentships over 6 years to UK, EU and International students and building our success, have been awarded funding to continue with BioMed2, recruiting a further 64 students over 3 years starting in October 2022.
PhD projects are aligned with one of the three strategic research themes that characterise the GW4 BioMed MRC DTP: Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair; Neuroscience and Mental Health; and Population Health Sciences.
The portfolio of PhD projects available through BioMed2 also reflects the collective strengths of the DTP: quantitative skills (including mathematical modelling), using data for discovery, in vivo skills, and interdisciplinary training and approaches, including imaging (physics, engineering), chemistry and health economics. The DTP places a strong emphasis on developing these cross-cutting skills and may also fund excellent projects that sit outside the strategic themes where they focus on one or more of the skills priorities. Each studentship provides funding for 4 years, which may be extended where additional specialist training is integral to the project.
The training programme has three strands: research skills; professional and career development skills; and opportunities to broaden horizons, which includes placements, research visits, public engagement internships and a bespoke programme of research training. Events throughout the programme will develop researcher communities across the partnerships.