International MSc Bioinformatics student – professor willing to host me, but I need external full PhD funding. What options do I have?

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Hi everyone,

I’m currently pursuing an MSc in Bioinformatics in India and will graduate in 2027. I’m planning to apply for a fully funded PhD in the UK in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology.

My research interests include:

- Bioinformatics

- Computational biology

- Metagenomics & metatranscriptomics

- Microbiome

- Transcriptomics

- NGS analysis

- AI/ML in biology

- Systems biology

I have already contacted a potential PhD supervisor whose research aligns very well with my interests. The professor is willing to host/supervise me, but they currently do not have funding available for a PhD position.

They have told me that I should look for an external fellowship or funding opportunity, and that they would be happy to support my application if I find a suitable funding scheme.

So my situation is:

Professor willing to host/supervise me ✅

Professor has no PhD funding ❌

I need external funding to cover the PhD ✅

Professor is willing to support my funding application ✅

I’m specifically looking for funding that can cover:

- Full international/overseas tuition fees

- Living stipend

- Research/training costs

- Ideally other essential PhD expenses

I have been looking into BBSRC/UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships, fully funded PhD studentships, university scholarships and external fellowships, but I'm finding it difficult to understand which ones allow an international student to receive full funding including the international tuition fee difference.

I would really appreciate advice on:

1. Which UK PhD fellowships/scholarships allow an international student to bring their own funding to a willing supervisor?

2. Which BBSRC/UKRI DTPs provide full funding for international students?

3. Are there specific fellowships where I can apply with a supervisor's support, even if the supervisor doesn't have their own funding?

4. Should I focus on DTPs and external fellowships, or is it better to find already-funded PhD projects?

5. Are there any 2027-entry funding opportunities I should be preparing for now?

6. If anyone here has been in a similar situation — supervisor willing to host you but no funding available — how did you secure your PhD funding?

I’m an Indian student, so I specifically need funding that covers the international tuition fee, not just the UK/home fee rate.

Any advice from people who have successfully gone through this process would be really appreciated.

Thanks!