Higher education just got a serious upgrade for future researchers. Manchester Metropolitan University has officially released a powerful lineup of doctoral research scholarships for 2026, and this isn’t your average funding round. We’re talking about fully funded PhD opportunities, monthly stipends, and cutting-edge projects that place scholars right at the centre of global innovation — from AI and healthcare to climate resilience and advanced engineering.
At a time when the cost of doctoral study keeps climbing, Manchester Met is flipping the narrative. No tuition stress. Real financial support. Real-world research impact. For ambitious graduates aiming to turn their ideas into influence, this scholarship window could be the breakthrough moment you’ve been waiting for.
What Makes Manchester Met Doctoral Scholarships a Game-Changer in 2026?
These scholarships aren’t just financial aid — they’re career launchpads. Manchester Met is offering both fees-only and fully funded doctoral studentships, with many projects providing a monthly living stipend alongside full tuition coverage. Add in expert supervision, industry-linked research themes, and access to one of the UK’s most forward-thinking research environments — and you’ve got a doctoral experience designed for future leaders, not just future graduates.
Whether your passion lies in artificial intelligence, biomedical innovation, sustainability, quantum technologies, or social policy, these funded PhDs give you the freedom to focus on discovery — not debt.
Scholarship Benefits That Actually Change Your Life
Winning a Manchester Met doctoral scholarship in 2026 means stepping into a high-impact academic journey with real financial security. Depending on the project, successful applicants can receive full tuition fee coverage, removing the biggest financial barrier to doctoral study, along with a monthly stipend to support living expenses throughout the research period. Many projects also connect scholars directly with industry partners, policy institutions, and advanced research centres — giving your PhD immediate relevance beyond the university walls.
This is not just about earning a doctorate. This is about earning it with freedom, confidence, and momentum.
Who Can Apply?
If you’re serious about doctoral research, this opportunity is built for you.
You should apply if you:
- Hold (or are completing) a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
- Meet the academic requirements for PhD study at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Have strong alignment with the chosen research project
- Are motivated to contribute meaningfully to your field through advanced research
Before applying, candidates are encouraged to discuss their suitability with the named academic supervisor for their selected project — a step that significantly strengthens your application.
List of Open PhD Scholarships at Manchester Met
Below is a focused list of only those doctoral scholarships with deadlines in or after February 2026, so you can target opportunities that are still open and relevant.
| Scholarship / PhD Project Title | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| New fabrication technologies for next-generation soft devices | 16 February 2026 |
| GAIA: Generating Artificial Intelligence Assisted Assessment for Alopecia | 20 February 2026 |
| Agentic AI in Retail Investing: Security, Resilience, and Trust | 27 February 2026 |
| AI-Driven Remote Sensing for Species-Level Savannah Monitoring | 28 February 2026 |
| Building Trustworthy EV Charging: Confidential and Explainable AI | 2 March 2026 |
| Reconceptualising Witness Protection in International Criminal Justice | 2 March 2026 |
| Navigating Maternity and Neurodiversity in the Workplace | 2 March 2026 |
| Artificial Intelligence–Extended Reality (AI-XR) Student Experiences | 2 March 2026 |
| Seeing Donkeys: Just Transitions and Multispecies Care | 2 March 2026 |
| Circular Economy Supply Chains in Fashion & Textiles | 2 March 2026 |
| Plasma-Catalysts for Sustainable Fertilizer Production | 3 March 2026 |
| Chronobiology at the Neuromuscular Junction in Sarcopenia | 3 March 2026 |
| Policy-Ready Evidence for Living Green Walls | 3 March 2026 |
| Understanding Movement Goal Priorities in Adaptive Gait | 4 March 2026 |
| ACCESS4ALL – AI-Informed Rehabilitation Models | 5 March 2026 |
| Translating Electrochemical Biosensors into Diagnostics | 6 March 2026 |
| Quantum Key Distribution with Amplifiers and Memories | 8 March 2026 |
| Engineered Self-Assembled Medical Scaffolds | 9 March 2026 |
| Scalable eDNA Monitoring for Biodiversity | 9 March 2026 |
| STEPS Study: Timed Eating & Physical Activity for Diabetes | 10 March 2026 |
| Estuaries of the Future: Wetland Restoration Planning | 10 March 2026 |
| Appetite Control, Gut Microbiome & Cancer Cachexia | 12 March 2026 |
| Tiny Multimodal Learning Under Resource Constraints | 16 March 2026 |
| Genomic Insights into Fungal Invasion (A. fumigatus) | 20 March 2026 |
Apply: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-study/phd/funding/scholarships#ai-142176-0.