Cancer Research UK - Wellcome Trust Fellowships

Six clinical PhD fellowships are awarded each year through a competitive application process.

Applicants and supervisors must make joint applications for studentships based on a project developed together. The process for applying is: 

1. Email the primary supervisor(s) directly to indicate your interest in preparing a joint proposal. Email addresses for contacting the supervisors listed are in the following format: [email protected] or [email protected].

2. Send your CV and the names and email addresses of two referees and a brief covering letter to the supervisor and please also copy your email to [email protected]. Please contact them by email and not by phone as soon as possible to allow time for your application to be considered.

Deadline 1: The deadline for applications to supervisors is Friday 16 November 2018.

3. Supervisors will select one candidate and invite them to make a joint application. Unfortunately because of the volume of applications we receive it will not be possible to contact all applicants to advise them if they have been unsuccessful. 

4. If you are selected by a supervisor to move to the next stage of the application process you will be asked to complete a Clinical Fellowship Application Form (available from [email protected]), which will be completed jointly with the supervisor.

Deadline 2: The deadline for full applications is Monday 17 December 2018.

6. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend a panel interview in February 2019 (date to be confirmed). References will be taken up at this point.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

PhD and MD(Res) – General applications

Prior to applying for a research degree at the ICR outside of the advertised funded programmes, candidates and their supervisors should discuss the appropriateness of the project and the candidates preference for either a PhD or an MD(Res). 

Full funding for the duration of the research degree must be available (for full-time students this constitutes two years for MD(Res) and three years for a PhD; or the equivalent pro rata for part-time). 

As soon as you are considering undertaking a research degree, please inform [email protected] who can explain the full process and requirements, which are summarised below.

To apply for a PhD or MD(Res), first you will need to approach a potential supervisor and agree on a research topic and protocol outline.

Then you will need to complete the following forms:

• Complete the ICR application form, which can be obtained by emailing [email protected];
• Write a protocol outline and discuss this with your potential supervisor, before it is approved by their Head of Division.
• Your potential supervisor must complete a supervisor form.

Additionally, you must send:

• written confirmation from the relevant ICR Head of Division, or Royal Marsden Hospital Department Head, confirming that there is full funding in place for a minimum of two years;
• copies of certificates of academic qualifications;
• evidence of ethical approval for the project if required;
• copy of passport, visa (if applicable) or national ID card (EU only);
• evidence of proficiency in English, i.e. TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable).

Prior to registration, applicants for PhD or MD(Res) degrees are required to meet with a member of the Academic Dean’s team for a “pre-registration” chat.

At this meeting, the applicant and member of the Dean’s team will discuss the project, look at the supervisory team and discuss the programme in detail to ensure the project is appropriate for the PhD / MD(Res) programme.