Project pro-formas

Project call for studentships starting in Sept 2026 will open early July 2025 (anticipated w/c 14 July).

Our partnership includes the following organisations:

  • Core partners: Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, and Rothamsted Research
  • Associate partners: Marine Biological Association (MBA), University of Plymouth, Swansea University, SETSquared Bristol, UCB Pharma (Slough), University of the West of England (UWE)

Note: Where the form indicates where the project will be based, this is the institution where the student is expected to spend the majority of their PhD project in person.  This will also be the submitting and lead institution for the project.

Details of how to complete the online application form will be found at the top of the landing page on the link above.  Please note we have introduced a new project application form for this year which we are confident you will find more user-friendly.  However, if you encounter any issues, please do contact us at swbio-dtp@bristol.ac.uk.

There is just one single project pro-forma which captures the 3 separate pools of studentships.  Further information about what is required and eligibility for each of these 3 pools of studentships can be found below.

Standard studentships

  • Eligible to act as main supervisor: Supervisor based at any core partner (Rothamsted-based studentships: referred to as Rothamsted supervisor)
  • Eligible to act as second supervisor: Any core partner or associate partner. (Rothamsted-based studentships: referred to as academic supervisor – needs to be based at a university core partner)
  • Local supervisor required if second supervisor based at a different institution: To meet institutional supervisor requirements (Rothamsted-based studentships: need a local supervisor at the university core partner and at Rothamsted)
  • Opportunities to act as other supervisor/collaborator: Any core partner or associate partner.
  • Student location: Students will primarily be based at the core partner institution.

CASE studentships

Projects in collaboration with a CASE partner.  The CASE placement is expected to be directly related to the PhD project and contribute to the thesis.

  • Eligible to act as main supervisor: Supervisor based at any core partner or UWE (Rothamsted-based studentships: referred to as Rothamsted supervisor)
  • Eligible to act as second supervisor: Any core partner or associate partner. (Rothamsted-based studentships: referred to as academic supervisor – needs to be based at a university core partner or UWE) / (UWE-led CASE studentship: second supervisor needs to be from a core partner).
  • Local supervisor required if second supervisor based at a different institution: To meet institutional supervisor requirements (Rothamsted-based studentships: need a local supervisor at the university core partner and at Rothamsted)
  • Opportunities to act as other supervisor/collaborator: Any core partner or associate partner.
  • Student location: Primarily based at the main supervisor’s institution but will spend between 3-18 months on a placement with the CASE partner.
  • SME’s within SETSquared Bristol* and UCB Pharma (Slough) are eligible to act as a CASE partners (subject to meeting BBSRC CASE requirements).

*SETsquared Bristol are a business incubator for many new and emerging SMEs (small or medium-sized enterprises).  As part of our new partnership with SETSquared Bristol, we support future and current collaborations with SME’s, of whom could act as CASE partners.

Standard studentships with associate partner

Projects designed in full collaboration with our associate partners.

  • Two lead supervisors: One lead supervisor based at core partner and one lead supervisor based at an eligible associate partner.  (Academic supervisor required at collaborating university if both lead supervisors are not based at a university)
  • Two local supervisors required at each of the lead institutions: To meet institutional supervisor requirements
  • Opportunities to act as other supervisor/collaborator: Any core partner or associate partner.
  • Student location: To spend ~50% of their time at each of the lead institutions
  • Eligible associate partners: Marine Biological Association (MBA), University of Plymouth, Swansea University, University of the West of England (UWE).