PhD Opportunities

The ARC NWC is committed to supporting the development of outstanding early career researchers, preparing them to conduct high-quality applied research that has the potential to deliver impacts on people, communities, and policy regionally and nationally.

Between 2014 and 2025, ARC NWC fully or partially funded 58 Doctoral Awards across our partner universities, achieving an 84% completion rate as of August 2026. Graduates of the ARC NWC Doctoral Researcher Network have successfully attracted prestigious post-doctoral funding awards and secured postdoctoral positions at national and international universities. Discover more about our alumni here.

In phase 2, we plan to co-fund up to 34 Doctoral Awards, with the first cohort commencing study in February 2027. This continuation of our ARC NWC Doctoral Research Programme will be delivered in collaboration with our five partner higher education institutions: Edge Hill University, Lancaster University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Lancashire, and University of Liverpool.

Information regarding the ARC NWC Doctoral Award offer, including eligibility criteria, application guidance, key dates, and details of future recruitment rounds, will be published on these pages as it becomes available. Please check back regularly to ensure you do not miss important updates and announcements. Alternatively, sign up to our e-newsletter here to receive regular news and updates.

If you are considering applying for an externally funded award, such as the NIHR Academy Doctoral Award, we may be able to help you identify academic collaborators, supervisors, and mentors from our partner universities, connecting you with experienced researchers in your field of study. You may also be interested in our Career Development Internships which provide funding and support to develop a robust application to a relevant career development funding programme.