Apply for a PhD studentship

PhD studentships - applications now being accepted

Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research is an independent charity dedicated to funding research that will help to improve quality of life for people living with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

There are around 50,000 people living in the UK with SCI, many of whom will experience complications from their injury. We fund research in the following areas, each of which affects the quality of life of people living with SCI. We hope that this research leads to new treatments and therapies, deepening of understanding, and dissemination of best practice in these areas:

Urinary Tract Infection
Pressure Ulcers
Neuropathic Pain
Assistive Technology Primarily for Upper Limb function

Eligibility and application process

Our new PhD studentships will enable high quality graduates to develop the skills to build an independent career in academic research related to one of our priority areas. We provide grants of up to £100,000 normally for up to 3 years, to support course fees, living costs, and research costs.

Research projects should aim to have clinical impact and a stated intention of disseminating the results of the work. Our emphasis is on the treatment of people with spinal cord injury which is non-progressive and we expect proposals to have this as their primary focus.

We accept applications from international students, but require that the host institution be based in the UK. We cover course fees up to the UK level. Note that due to the nature of our fundraising efforts, some funding may be restricted to particular institutions.

All applications will be assessed on quality, feasibility and clinical impact by our independent Scientific Advisory Board.

To apply, please read our guidance for applicants, then complete our application form and return it to [email protected]. You should also ask your potential supervisor(s) to complete the supervisor form and return it to the same address before the deadline.

Timeline

Call live: Monday 28th September 2020

Deadline for submission of applications: Monday 30th November 2020, 5pm UK time

Interviews to be held: February 2021

We expect to make final funding decisions in March 2021

If you have any questions, please contact Derek Cutler, Research Grants Manager [email protected] / tel: 07930 494681

Application documents

Latest

Annual Report and Accounts

Annual report and accounts for Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research charity
Update 3
Update 2
Update 1

Richard's Solo Challenge Around The World

It has been a lifelong ambition to complete a circumnavigation of the world under sail. I hope that my voyage will help draw attention to the work of, and research funded by, SMSR to promote the quality of life for spinal cord injured people.
New research grants announced

SMSR commits over £200,000 to three projects designed to improve the lives of those living with SCI
"Wheelchair with the WOW factor" competition winners announced

We're delighted to announce the winners of our "Design a Wheelchair with the Wow Factor" competition
SEM Glove study results published

SMSR-funded study shows that use of mechanical glove leads to increased hand strength and improved ability to perform activities of daily living, in people with incomplete tetraplegia.

New research grants announced

SMSR commits over £200,000 to three projects designed to improve the lives of those living with SCI
Grant application

Research grant award application information for spinal cord injury research projects
London Tube Collection

On Monday 20 January we are collecting at London Old Street Tube station. If you're passing through during the morning and evening rush hour look out for us in our SMSR sashes. As an independent charity we rely solely on voluntary donations to help fund our vital research - so anything that you can give helps us. Come along and say 'hello'.
Accessibility
Donate

With your generous support we can do more to help people get on with life after paralysis
Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY - place holder page
Volunteer for us

At Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research we depend on our volunteers. Find out how you can volunteer for us
Cookie Policy
Published research

Links to Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research Published research
Huge thank you to our 2.6 challenge participants!

Thanks to those of you who joined the #TwoPointSixChallenge, we were able to raise nearly £2,000 for Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research. You can still join in the challenge by visiting www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk and signing up. Please do - we can support you all the way!