We are offering a number of fully funded PhD studentships across a range of health and social care projects
- Start date: January 2027
- Duration: 3.5 years full time (including an 8-week placement)
- Locations: Across five of our partner universities in the North East and North Cumbria
- Application deadline: From 19 October 2026 – please check the individual advert for details.
You can explore the studentships on offer, below. New studentship opportunities will be added as they open for applications and more will be added soon. Please continue to check back.
Make a difference through applied health and care research
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria is offering 17 fully funded PhD studentships across a range of projects linked to health and social care.
The studentships will be hosted across five of our six partner universities: Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland, and Teesside University.
Successful candidates will join a vibrant and active interdisciplinary research community spanning six universities and have significant opportunities to engage with a wide range of researchers and health and care partners.
Connections with other PhD students will provide opportunities for peer support, shared learning and collaboration.
Funding
- 100% of UK home tuition fees paid.
- Annual stipend (living expenses) of £21,805 (2026 – 27 UKRI rate).
- Funding for research costs, training, travel, conferences and exchanges.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from individuals with a strong interest in applied health and social care research, and who are passionate about making a difference to society through research.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community and encourage applications from:
- People from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.
- People with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, and long-term health requirements
- Candidates of all genders, ages, and beliefs.
Support with your application
We will be offering pre-application support workshops for candidates who wish to apply for one of our PhD studentships.
They will be held on:
Tuesday 6 October, 2pm until 3.30pm (online)
Thursday 15 October 9.30am until 11am (in person, Darlington University campus)
Please email arcnenc@cntw.nhs.uk if you would like to join a workshop.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria differ across each PhD. Details can be found on the individual advert for each studentship.
Key dates
- Deadline for applications: From Monday 19 October 2026, please check individual advert for details.
- Interview dates: November and December 2026
- Start: January 2027
Studentships currently open for applications are listed below. 17 PhD studentships will be available – we will add to this page as the opportunities are published.
Implementing Green and Blue Social Prescribing in local community settings across the North East and North Cumbria.
Host: Northumbria University
Find out more and apply
Closes 19 October.
Implementation of care within economic evaluation: a case study based on the SilverCloud Target Trials.
Host: Northumbria University
Closes 19 October.
Community approaches to addressing preventable mortality in the immediate post prison release window.
Host: Newcastle University
Closes 20 October
Researching equity, access and place-based-health: community-based diagnostics.
Host: Newcastle University
Closes 20 October
Understanding cardiovascular risk communication and preventative care in women with female-specific cardiovascular risk factors; a sequential mixed-methods study.
Host: Newcastle University
Closes 20 October
From hidden harms to early intervention: exploring adolescent and family perspectives on gaming, gambling and mental health to inform school-based prevention.
Host: Newcastle University
This PhD is co-funded and jointly hosted by the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR).
Closes 20 October
Creating safe spaces to support neurodivergent parents’ perinatal mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
Host: Newcastle University
This PhD is co-funded and jointly hosted by the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium
Closes 20 October
Optimising the collection of research data in primary care settings.
Host: Newcastle University
This PhD is co-funded and jointly hosted by the NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) delivered by Newcastle University and partners.
Closes 15 October