Four Scottish universities are among the recipients of new Medical Research Council (MRC) Doctoral Landscape Awards, part of a £90 million investment in training the next generation of medical researchers.
The University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee have each secured an award, while the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow hold a joint award. Edinburgh is also a partner in a separate award for the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative, led by the University of Exeter.
They are among 14 awards announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which will support more than 200 researchers a year for the next three years at universities across the UK. The awards cover PhD research across the breadth of medical science, from discovery to early translation.
Dundee’s award, called IN-SIGHT, will fund 18 PhD studentships over three years, covering research into cancer, brain disorders, metabolic diseases, infections and inflammatory conditions, The Herald reported.
As well as their core research, PhD students will develop skills in areas including data science, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. They will also work with businesses, NHS organisations, charities and public sector partners through placements, collaborative projects and specialist training.
According to UKRI, this experience is intended to give researchers first-hand insight into how research is carried out in different settings and prepare them for a range of careers. The training will also support them to understand how their discoveries could be translated into future innovation in early diagnosis, advanced therapies and precision prevention.
MRC funds universities and university partnerships through the awards to provide PhD training, covering researchers’ fees, stipends and research costs. UKRI said the first researchers supported by the awards are expected to be recruited later this year and to start their PhDs in October 2027.
Dr Joanna Robinson, director of research talent, skills and careers at MRC, said: “Medical research depends on talented people. These awards will support doctoral researchers to develop deep scientific expertise alongside the broader capabilities needed for successful and rewarding careers across research, healthcare, industry and policy.
“By investing in researchers at the start of their careers, we are helping to strengthen the UK’s medical research workforce and enable discoveries that improve lives.”
