PhD Programme: Funding

To carry out a three year PhD, you must obtain financial support to cover both the University and College fees and a maintenance stipend for the duration of your PhD (see Graduate course costs), in addition to meeting the University of Cambridge entrance requirements.

Approximately three quarters of LMB students receive full or partial funding from the LMB through full and fees-only MRC studentships, the LMB Cambridge Scholarship scheme and other funds administered by LMB. Over a third of students secure competitive external funding such as Gates and Boehringer Ingelheim Scholarships or studentships from their home country. LMB studentships provide funding for 3-4 years.

All applicants to the LMB PhD programme who have not already secured their own funding will automatically be considered for the appropriate LMB student funding. However, please be aware that competition for the available funding is very high: in 2009 we received 246 applications for the available fully funded places.

The following LMB funding is available through open competition to prospective PhD students:

MRC Studentships (for UK and EU/EAA applicants who satisfy eligibility requirements)

We offer up to 12 fully funded MRC Studentships available for UK and EU nationals who satisfy the MRC eligibility requirements, plus fees-only MRC Studentships for EU nationals who do not have UK migrant worker status, or have not been resident in the UK for three years.

The full MRC studentships provide full University and College fees and a maintenance stipend (£15,275 tax-free in 2011).

Funding for students from the EU/EAA

In addition to MRC fees-only studentships available to EU/EAA students (see above), LMB is also able to provide stipends for a limited number of EU/EAA students (£15,275 tax-free in 2011).

LMB Cambridge Scholarships (for Commonwealth and Overseas residents)

In collaboration with the Cambridge Commonwealth and Cambridge Overseas Trusts, we offer up to four scholarships to outstanding graduates from Commonwealth and Overseas countries to pursue a course of research leading to the degree of PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge.

Applicants must meet the University of Cambridge entrance requirements to be eligible. However, please be aware that competition for LMB Cambridge Scholarships is particularly high: in 2009 we received 140 applications for the 4 available places. Due to this high level of competition, candidates who have in addition a first class Master's degree or its equivalent and/or considerable laboratory experience may be given preference.

These Scholarships, tenable for three years, provide full University and College fees and a maintenance allowance (£15,275 tax-free in 2011) for a single student, plus a discretionary contribution towards airfare by the cheapest available route.

Cesar Milstein Studentships (for Argentinian Nationals)

In memory of César Milstein and his contributions to science, the Darwin Trust in Edinburgh, at the instigation of Professors Kenneth and Noreen Murray, have established a César Milstein studentship tenable in the Division of Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry (PNAC) of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, where Milstein carried out most of his research work. Milstein conducted many seminal studies in molecular immunology, of which the pinnacle was his invention of the method for monoclonal antibody isolation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 1984 for this work.

The fellowship is in the form of a graduate studentship for three years, to allow the recipient to carry out research in the field of molecular immunology or cancer biology. The candidate will be registered for a University of Cambridge PhD degree and there will be one award per year.

Candidates should be of Argentinian nationality and hold a First Degree (Hons) in Science. A small selection committee, comprised of members of the Laboratory plus César's widow, Celia Milstein, will meet short-listed candidates for interview in Cambridge in the first half of 2012 (for which expenses will be paid to the chosen candidates for travel to the UK).

Please note: to apply please contact Michael Neuberger (Head of PNAC Division) directly with a letter of interest and CV: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The application deadline for the Milstein Studentship is 31 March 2012 and interviews will be held by 31 May 2012.

If you wish to be considered for other sources of funding from the University, please ensure you submit a University application by 2 December 2011 (see How To Apply).

Training and conference allowance

In addition to fees and maintenance funding, all LMB PhD students have a training and conference travel allowance.