UK The Francis Crick Institute PhD Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

The Francis Crick Institute in London has announced that recruitment for its 2026 PhD programme will officially open in October 2025. The Crick PhD programme is one of the most competitive and prestigious opportunities in Europe for aspiring biomedical researchers, attracting over 2,000 applications each year from candidates worldwide.

The Francis Crick Institute, located in London, is one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious biomedical research centers, dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. It is an interdisciplinary hub where thousands of scientists collaborate across fields such as molecular biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, and computational biology. The Crick works in partnership with leading universities including Imperial College London, King’s College London, and University College London, as well as the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, and the Wellcome Trust. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on training the next generation of researchers, the institute plays a key role in tackling global health challenges while advancing cutting-edge biomedical science.

Successful applicants to the programme are awarded a fully funded PhD studentship, which includes:

• £27,715 annual tax-free stipend (living allowance) for four years
• Full coverage of tuition fees
• Reimbursement of the student visa application fee and immigration health surcharge (if applicable)
• Coverage of travel expenses and accommodation during interviews and open-day visits

Students are also embedded within the vibrant Crick research community and will be jointly supervised by academic experts at one of the Crick’s partner universities: Imperial College London, King’s College London, or University College London.

This opportunity is for students applying to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in biomedical and life sciences.

PhD students can undertake cutting-edge research in areas such as:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Molecular Biology
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience
• Structural Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

The Crick PhD programme is open to all nationalities. International and UK students are equally encouraged to apply.

The programme is open to candidates of all nationalities. Applicants must hold:

• A first or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject
• Appropriate research experience, either as part of a university course, an external project, or a Master’s degree in a related field

The Selection Process

Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by the Academic Training team. Candidates then select up to three Group Leaders to apply to. Group Leaders review applications anonymously at first to reduce bias and may shortlist candidates for interviews.

Shortlisted applicants are invited to:

• Stage One: Zoom panel interviews with Group Leaders
• Stage Two: In-person lab visits, one-to-one meetings with potential supervisors, and an opportunity to explore the Crick’s research environment

Why Choose the Crick?

The Crick is renowned for its cutting-edge biomedical research, highly collaborative environment, and strong ties with leading London universities. PhD students become part of an innovative research hub while developing their scientific, technical, and professional skills for a successful research career.

Timeline for 2026 Applications

• Early October 2025 – Applications open
• 5 November 2025 (12 noon GMT) – Application deadline
• 12 November 2025 – Reference deadline
• 14–16 January 2026 – Online panel interviews via Zoom
• 19–20 January 2026 – Open afternoon and lab visits at the Crick
• The PhD programme will commence in late September 2026.