Funding supports major doctoral training partnership

Partnership

The funding, provided by the Medical Research Council (MRC), will support the second phase of the MRC Discovery Medicine North (DiMeN) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with the Universities of Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and York. 

It supports 20 PhD places each year for three years which the universities have agreed to match creating a total of 120 studentships over the lifetime of the programme. The first students will be recruited in 2022.

During phase two of the MRC DiMeN DTP the partners will use their existing and emerging strengths to deliver a unique, flexible, student-centred programme of training, focusing on the overarching vision of ‘Discovery Medicine across the Lifecourse.’

Professor Jeremy Mottram, Director of the York Biomedical Research Institute, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity which will allow future postgraduate students to help advance biomedical research at York. We’re delighted to be one of five of the leading research-intensive universities in the north to address some of the world’s most pressing issues in biomedicine.

“The partnership will not only support the cross fertilisation of expertise and provide shared access to state-of-the-art facilities but also opens up opportunities for industry collaboration in key areas of research.”

Vision

Investment in doctoral training is a key component of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the MRC’s overarching vision to develop research talent and skills. 

Professor Fiona Watt, Executive Chair, MRC, said: “Outstanding research is only possible when we invest in people to conduct that research. Our new awards are student-centred, setting out to increase the diversity of individuals pursuing research careers and providing opportunities for students to widen their horizons during and post-PhD.” 

The DiMeN partnership is one of 17 DTP awards across 34 UK Research Organisations for student intake from 2022 onwards.