The Darwin Trust

The Darwin Trust of Edinburgh was established by Prof Kenneth (Ken) Murray in 1983 with the purpose of promoting education and research in the Natural Sciences and in particular Molecular Biology. The Darwin Trust awards four-year PhD studentships for research in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences to individuals who are not UK nationals. The award provides for student stipend and consumable support.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for a studentship candidates must have received their first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or Master's degree) less than five years before the closing date for the applications round to which they are applying. For the KCL Darwin Trust programme candidates must self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds) and be resident on the continent of Africa at time of application.

How to apply

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria above should follow the process described below

By the deadline of 23:59 UK time on 30^th Jan 2026 (or when we have received 50 applications), you MUST:

• Review the project catalogue and pick your first-choice project
• Submit an application to King’s College London for a full-time MPhil/PhD degree programme with a 2026-27 start date (i.e., from 1 October 2026) using the King’s online admissions application system – King’s Apply
• Add the name of the 1A supervisor from your first choice project in your admissions application.
• Enter the correct funding code in your application:
• On the Funding section of your online King’s Admissions Application Form, tick the box at Item 5 (Award Scheme Code or Name).
• Award Scheme Code: This will be available on the 15th December 2025

• Please make sure a full CV and personal statement are uploaded to your application – failure to include a CV and personal statement will invalidate your application.

Please download this Word document for further details about this call for applications