UEA secures share of £90 million to train next generation of medical researchers
By: Communications
The University of East Anglia will help train a new generation of researchers to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing human health – thanks to funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC).
They will focus on how nutrition, our microbiomes and antimicrobial resistance impact human health, in collaboration with partners from across the Norwich Research Park.
This is part of a £90 million investment that will support more than 200 doctoral researchers each year, for the next three years, at universities across the UK.
PhD students at UEA will receive specialist training in nutrition science, microbiology and clinical research - helping equip them to address emerging global health threats.
The programme complements other doctoral training awards hosted at Norwich Research Park and strengthens its position as one of Europe's largest centres for life science research.
Supporting future research leaders
The new funding will support a new MRC Doctoral Landscape Award at UEA in partnership with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Quadram Institute, John Innes Centre and Earlham Institute.
It will support 14 PhD students each year across three intakes beginning in October 2027.
Programme Director Prof Stuart Rushworth, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: “I am thrilled the MRC have chosen to support our programme and its unique focus on nutrition and microbiology.
“We are delighted to receive this funding and believe our plan to train these cohorts of students will lead to exciting improvements in health.
“Our students will benefit from the strong ecosystem in Norwich and will be fully equipped for the challenges of the 21st century with their unique training allowing them to tackle global health issues.”
Research partnerships
Dr Joanna Robinson, Director of Research Talent, Skills and Careers at the MRC, said: "Medical research depends on talented people. These awards will support doctoral researchers to develop deep scientific expertise alongside the broader capabilities needed for successful and rewarding careers across research, healthcare, industry and policy.
“By investing in researchers at the start of their careers, we are helping to strengthen the UK's medical research workforce and enable discoveries that improve lives."
Prof Samuel Fountain is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the UEA Doctoral College, which is a group that brings together UEA’s postgraduate research community, coordinating support, training and development to create an inclusive environment where more than 1,500 doctoral researchers can thrive academically and professionally.
Prof Fountain said: “This award recognises the exceptional doctoral training opportunities available across UEA and the Norwich Research Park.
“By bringing together expertise from across the biomedical, clinical and health sciences, the MRC Doctoral Landscape Award will help us train future research leaders who can deliver impactful solutions to complex health challenges.”
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