Restricted call: Mental Health Research UK – PhD Scholarship Competition 2027 (internal deadline: 9 April, 2026)

Mental Health Research UK (incorporating the Schizophrenia Research Fund) has announced a competition for four PhD Scholarships beginning September 2027.

Mental Health Research UK (MHRUK) are inviting applications for the following four PhD scholarships:

1. Karen Menzies MHRUK PhD scholarship: Developing and validating novel biomarkers for schizophrenia and related psychotic conditions
2. Karen Menzies MHRUK PhD scholarship: Childhood neuro-developmental antecedents for schizophrenia and related psychotic conditions
3. The John Grace QC scholarship: Antecedents, causal factors, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of peri-menopausal first-onset psychosis and related psychotic conditions
4. Clair Chilvers MHRUK PhD scholarship: Risks, benefits and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in mental health care

Please note, MHRUK does not fund health services research; research into autism; or research that involves animals. Applicants are required to be supported by two UK based PhD supervisors, and MHRUK are keen to give the opportunity for a researcher in the early stages of their career to be part of the supervisory team which may include being the primary supervisor. Applications must come from prospective supervisors within UK universities, not from students.

For further information including regarding eligible fee rates, see the call page, application guidelines and associated terms and conditions document.
Further Information

University Internal selection:

Institutions can only submit one application for each scholarship (for a total of 4 applications maximum). Therefore, this call will be managed according to the University’s restricted calls procedure.

To take part in the internal selection, please complete our online form. If asked to log-in, please use your crsid/Raven details by 9 April 2026.

You will need the following documents and information to complete the Form:

• CVs for lead and co-supervisors, including publications and numbers of PhD students supervised and experience/expertise in the proposed field of study (max. 3 pages). NB: There should be a minimum of two supervisors. The funder is keen to give the opportunity for a researcher in the early stages of their career to be part of the supervisory team which may include being the primary supervisor.
• Project summary (max 800 words):
  • Please describe the project and include why this work is novel, timely, feasible and important and how it works well as a PhD studentship.
  • State clearly the expected outcomes and impact of the studentship particularly outside of academia and in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions.
  • Describe how this project/your department will involve potential beneficiaries of the research in this PhD research study as part of a PPI strategy. (For more details on patient and public involvement in research please see NIHR guidance)
  • Describe your approach to supporting and developing PhD students, including project-specific training needs, facilities, equipment, generic training, transferable skills, peer support, teaching opportunities and support for wellbeing.
• Head of Department support letterfrom the department that will hold the grant, confirming their support for the project and agreement to host the grant.

 

Internal Assessment Criteria:

Please note that the assessment of internal applications will focus on the following core funder criteria:

• Quality of applications, considering project idea and track record of supervisors as well as wider research environment.
• Novelty, feasibility and impact of the proposed project
• How well the proposed project will work for a PhD studentship
• Plans for PPI, training for the scholar, and support for wellbeing

Funder deadline: 29 May 2026

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Posted on 12/03/2026