Oxford’s Podium Institute Studentship 2026 offers a unique D.Phil. opportunity blending sports medicine and technology, focusing on preventive measures rather than treatment. The programme targets injury prevention for younger, community, and female athletes through advanced monitoring and analysis, promoting safer sports and impactful scientific innovation.
Read More:
- University of Bristol Great Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in the UK 2026
- Finland 2026 Fully Funded Scholarships Available for More Than 400 Degree Programmes (Application Open 7–21 Jan)
- Mbaise Family Association of California (MFAC) Higher Education Grant 2026 for Undergraduates: ₦200,000 Opportunity
- Call for Applications: Alpha Morgan Bank Graduate Trainee Program 2026
- Insight Scholarship Award for Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Nigeria (₦250,000 in Funds)
- Call for Applications: Idris Ajiboye Family Foundation Scholarship 2026 for Undergraduates
When is the Application Deadline:
- Tuesday, 3 March 2026 (applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available)
Start date: October 2026
Tell Me About The Award:
The Podium Institute Studentship 2026 is a fully funded 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship at the University of Oxford’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (Department of Engineering Science). Launched in 2021, the Podium Institute focuses on sports injury prevention rather than treatment, with emphasis on younger, community, and female athletes. The program develops and validates technologies for monitoring, detecting, and preventing sports injuries, aiming to make sports safer through innovation in engineering and biomedical sciences.
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada.
Which Fields are Eligible?
Research proposals should relate to one or more of the following priority areas:
- Multiphysics and data-driven modelling of traumatic brain injury.
- Physics-informed image registration for injury mechanism analysis.
- Mechanical characterization of soft biological materials.
- Modelling, monitoring, and prevention of sports injuries (concussion, cardiac, catastrophic).
- Computer-vision techniques for contactless injury detection and prevention.
- Robotic humanoid simulators for PPE testing.
- Functional materials and structures for impact absorption.
- Soft robotics and wearable assistive technologies for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Haptic interfaces in VR and AI coaching for skill learning.
- Big Data analytics for youth sports injury prediction.
- Wearable/implantable technologies for cardiac arrest prevention.
- Biochemical/physical markers for overuse injury prevention.
- Wearable sensors for sleep and recovery monitoring.
- Machine learning imaging markers for anxiety, depression, and pain in sports injuries.
- Advanced MRI methods for brain injury and recovery assessment.
Type:
Doctoral Studentship (D.Phil. in Engineering Science).
Who can Apply?
- Open to UK and Overseas students (full award: fees + stipend).
- Must hold a first-class or strong upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or Medical Sciences relevant to the research area.
- Must demonstrate excellent English written and spoken communication skills.
- Must show strong interest and enthusiasm for sports medicine and technology.
Desirable (not essential):
- Experience in experimental or computational research in sports medicine/technology (e.g., publication, strong final year project).
- Programming ability in MATLAB or Python.
How are Applicants Selected?
- Based on academic merit, communication skills, and alignment with research priorities.
- Consideration of relevant technical skills and research experience.
- Applicants must submit a graduate application form and meet Oxford’s graduate admissions criteria.
- A research proposal relating to Podium Institute priority areas is required.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
All countries (UK and international applicants eligible).
Where will the Award be Taken?
University of Oxford, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science.
How Many Awards?
Not specified (multiple supervisors available, one fully funded studentship confirmed).
What is the Benefit of the Award?
- Full coverage of University course fees (UK: £10,470; Overseas: £34,700 for 2026–27 academic year).
- Tax-free stipend of approx. £22,780 per year (first year, with at least the same amount for the remaining three years).
- Supervision by leading academics across engineering, biomedical sciences, imaging, robotics, and computation.
- Access to cutting-edge facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Opportunity to contribute to impactful research in sports medicine and technology.
How Long Will the Award Last?
3.5 years (full duration of D.Phil. program).
How to Apply:
- Prepare a graduate application form via Oxford’s admissions portal.
- Submit a research proposal aligned with Podium Institute priority areas.
- Quote reference 26ENGBI_CC in correspondence and application.
- Informal enquiries: contact Elizabeth Hempstead (podiuminstitute@admin.ox.ac.uk).
- Apply by 2 December 2025 (main Oxford deadline) or 3 March 2026 (if places remain).
Visit the Award Webpage for Details:
Oxford University – Podium Institute Studentship 2026
