Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology Studentships

This grant funds postgraduate training in medical mycology—the study of fungal infections that affect human health. Fungal diseases are a growing but often overlooked threat, particularly for people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing cancer treatment or organ transplants. Many fungal infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, and drug resistance is increasing. Despite this, the field has historically received less research attention and funding than bacterial or viral infections. This training programme addresses that gap by building a pipeline of skilled researchers who can investigate how fungi cause disease, how the human immune system responds, and how better diagnostics and treatments might be developed. If successful, the programme will produce a cohort of scientists equipped to tackle fungal infections. This could lead to improved clinical outcomes—faster diagnosis, more effective antifungal drugs, and better management of hospital-acquired infections. The work is primarily about training the next generation of researchers, so its impact will unfold over years as those scientists move into academic, clinical, or industrial roles. In the longer term, a deeper understanding of fungal biology could also inform broader areas, such as agricultural fungicide resistance or the role of fungi in the human microbiome.