Royal Holloway receives UKRI funding to train next generation of engineering biologists

Royal Holloway has secured funding to lead on the training of the next generation of Engineering Biologists, thanks to Doctoral Focal Awards funding (DFA) from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

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This DFAs initiative, part of a £40 million investment by UKRI, supports more than 320 new PhD studentships across three yearly intakes from 2026.

Royal Holloway’s funding will see a cohort of PhD students trained across six years, researching matters such as producing products naturally using plants and microbes in a sustainable manner, instead of relying only on chemicals made in factories.

The project, led by Royal Holloway’s Professor Paul Fraser and Dr Laurence Bindschedler from the Department of Biological Sciences, and Professor Hugh Shanahan from the Department of Computer Science, will also be in partnership with Rothamsted Research and the University of Reading.

The DFA initiative was created to coordinate efforts to develop world-class research talent in areas central to the UK’s economic growth ambitions and national capability in critical technologies; directly advancing UKRI’s mission of advancing knowledge, improving lives and driving growth.

UKRI is investing in eight DFAs; three in AI and Data in the Biosciences and five in Engineering Biology; funded by BBSRC with co-investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Totalling more than £17 million, the DFAs will support more than 150 students, training the next generation of researchers with advanced computational, quantitative and engineering-led skills central to the UK’s long-term leadership in critical technologies.

Key areas include:

AI-enabled bioscience and data-driven innovation: leveraging AI, machine learning and multi-modal data to transform spatial biology, enzyme engineering and bioscience discovery
Engineering biology for a sustainable, competitive economy: training researchers in bioinspired design, programmable biological systems, scalable biomanufacturing and clean growth applications
Plant and environmental engineering biology: developing engineered plant systems, environmental monitoring biotechnologies and green production pathways in line with the National Engineering Biology Programme.

DFAs span more than 25 research institutions across the UK, ensuring nationwide coverage and strengthening local and national innovation clusters. With over 100 project partners, these awards will continue to support innovation beyond academia, allowing students to engage in real world applications of their research.

By placing doctoral researchers at the interface of academia and industry, these investments will strengthen the skills, capability and innovation capacity needed for a globally competitive, high-growth UK economy.

Professor Paul Fraser said: “Royal Holloway is proud to play a leading role in UKRI’s Doctoral Training investments, equipping the next generation of researchers with advanced engineering biology skills.

“By working at the interface of academia and industry, our doctoral researchers will help drive bioscience discovery, sustainable biomanufacturing and environmental innovation, strengthening the UK’s leadership in critical technologies and support a high‑growth economy.”

Freddie Theodoulou, Chair of Postgraduate Education and Engineering Biology for Agriculture Team lead, Rothamsted, added: “This award is a testament to the excellent crop engineering biology research at Rothamsted and a great complement to our BBSRC Green Engineering Institute Strategic Programme.

“I am really looking forward to translating plant science discoveries into real world solutions together with our partners at Royal Holloway and Reading.”

Professor Carol Wagstaff, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Agriculture, Food and Health) at University of Reading, said: “This award cements the University of Reading’s reputation as a leader in food engineering biology, enabling us to build on our research to innovate sustainable, ethical and healthy food, crops and ingredients that consumers find pleasure in eating."

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said: “Through these investments, UKRI is strengthening the UK’s leadership in critical technologies while creating meaningful opportunities for businesses, researchers and regions across the country. The IDLAs and DFAs will equip a new generation of talented researchers with the skills to drive innovation, support high-growth sectors and improve lives.”