New Healthcare PhD Fellowships Launch for Professionals in the North

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-07 10:45 2 min read

A laboratory pipette dripping a clear liquid into a row of glass test tubes.

Healthcare professionals across the North of England looking to transition into research leadership have a new opportunity to engage with the Forward North doctoral programme. The University of Manchester is hosting a virtual launch event on 18 August 2026 to introduce the latest round of PhD fellowship opportunities, marking the start of a new five-year phase for the initiative.

The essentials

This event is designed for clinicians and healthcare staff interested in pursuing doctoral training or exploring the application process for the upcoming fellowship cycle. Participation is free, and the session will provide a comprehensive overview of the programme’s structure, requirements, and the support available to successful applicants.

New Healthcare PhD Fellowships Launch for Professionals in the North

Date: 18 August 2026
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration: Attendees can join via the link provided on the University of Manchester news page.

Expanding research pathways

Forward North is a collaborative effort between the universities of Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Sheffield. For over a decade, the programme has supported healthcare professionals in undertaking PhDs, with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and expert mentoring.

In this renewed five-year phase, the programme is expanding its scope to include new pre-doctoral opportunities. These are specifically designed to lower the barrier to entry for healthcare staff who are considering a research career. Furthermore, the initiative is strengthening its ties with external organisations, including the Nuffield Foundation, STEM Learning, and the Francis Crick Institute, to provide enhanced support for early-career researchers.

Professor Anne Barton, Director of Forward North at the University of Manchester, emphasised that the programme is intended to help staff generate the innovations necessary to tackle significant health challenges across the region. By providing specialist training and industry engagement, the partner universities aim to directly improve patient care and health outcomes.

What to expect at the launch

The virtual launch serves as the primary information point for prospective applicants. Beyond a general overview of the fellowship structure, the session will feature a dedicated Q&A segment. This is intended to allow attendees to clarify specific eligibility requirements and understand the support mechanisms available throughout the doctoral journey. Interested professionals are encouraged to review the programme details on the university’s official news portal ahead of the session to prepare any specific questions regarding the application process.

Source: University of Manchester News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Event Information

Event details were verified against the official University of Manchester announcement published on 7 August 2026.

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