UKVRN Doctoral Training Programme
The UKVRN Doctoral Training Programme by Fight for Sight funds collaborative PhD research into the molecular and cellular causes of retinal degeneration, promoting interdisciplinary vision science partnerships.
Funder: Fight for Sight
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Rebuttals open) | October 2026 (Rebuttals deadline) | June 2027 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to £163,000 (London) or £155,000 (rest of UK) per award; 4-year duration.
Summary: Supports collaborative doctoral research into retinal degeneration, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and training in vision science.
Key Information: Supervisory teams must include co-supervisors from different UK institutions and, ideally, disciplines.
Description
The UKVRN Doctoral Training Programme, launched by Fight for Sight, funds collaborative doctoral research aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind retinal degeneration—a major cause of vision loss and blindness. The initiative requires a lead supervisor to partner with a co-supervisor from a different UK institution and, ideally, a different discipline. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary learning, knowledge transfer, and impactful discoveries in retinal health. The programme supports PhD students conducting research across institutions, emphasizing capacity building, scientific merit, and the importance of addressing unmet needs in vision research.
