MRF's National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research
The Medical Research Foundation’s National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research was established in 2017 as a response to tackle the ongoing global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance. It is the first and only national programme for postgraduate researchers to study AMR collectively.
The aims of the programme are to develop a strong and active network of new of researchers with multidisciplinary skills who will be able to develop, undertake and potentially lead AMR research which crosses traditional boundaries between research disciplines and sectors.
The programme is led by the University the Bristol with the following 15 partner institutions: University of Cambridge, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, Imperial College, University of Leeds, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University College London, University of Warwick and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
AMR research themes studied by students and aligned with UKRI’s ‘Tackling AMR Cross Council Initiative’ are:
- Understanding resistance bacteria in the context of the host
- Accelerating therapeutics and diagnostics development
- Understanding real-world interactions
- Behaviour within and beyond the healthcare setting
The £4 million programme funded 2 cohorts of students (30 students, either fully or match-funded by partner institutions), and also provided training and annual conference opportunities to a further ~250 AMR students from 49 institutions across the UK.
With the final conference held in 2023 and the completion of studies by most students, the programme will formally end in September 2025.
Many of our graduates have gone on to pursue further AMR research, take up roles in industry and policy, with one graduate actively working to commercialise their research.
Between 2019 and June 2025, the programme’s core-funded students have authored 71 publications.
For more information, contact Academic Lead of the Programme: Professor Matthew Avison (matthewb.avison@bristol.ac.uk).
