Funding calls

This page is being updated with current funding calls that may be of interest. Click on the links to take you through to the funders website for more information.

Biomedical catalyst 2021: early and late stage awards

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £18 million to develop innovative healthcare products, technologies, and processes.

Your project can address:

• disease prevention and proactive management of health and chronic conditions
• earlier and better detection and diagnosis of disease, leading to better patient outcomes
• tailored treatments that either change the underlying disease or offer potential cures

This list is not intended to be exhaustive. This competition combines the early and late-stage strands of the Biomedical Catalyst.

For more information: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/922/overview

Young Innovators Awards 2021/22

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £460,000 in young innovators with this competition.

The aim of this competition is to find a new group of young innovators that, with our help, can turn their great ideas into successful businesses. For more information: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/935/overview

Innovate UK Smart Grants: May 2021

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. For more information: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/937/overview

MRC neurosciences and mental health research grant

Funding is available from MRC’s Neurosciences and Mental Health Board to support focused research projects on neurosciences and mental health. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-neurosciences-and-mental-health-research-grant-sep-2021/

MRC molecular and cellular medicine programme grant

Programme grants provide large, long-term and renewable programme funding for researchers working in the area of molecular and cellular medicine research. They aim to help the medical science community to ‘think bigger’. Programme grants are usually based within an academic institution which has the variety of expertise and disciplines to undertake the programme. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-molecular-and-cellular-medicine-programme-grant-sep-2021/

East Midlands PPI 2021 fund 

This funding is aimed at health, social care, charities, voluntary and third sector organisations and groups, who want to involve patients and citizens in research and healthcare. EMAHSN welcomes applications that encourage patient and citizen involvement in health and care innovation, transformation and improvement. For information: https://emahsn.org.uk/our-work/patient-and-public-involvement/ppi-fund

The ORUK Research Fund 2021

We want to use our funding to drive breakthrough research to reduce the burden on individuals, on workplaces, and our health system. We aim to support research capable of being translated into benefits for people. This is achieved by investing in academic and non-academic research within the following two areas:

1. Diagnosis
2. Treatment

For more information: https://www.oruk.org/research/for-researchers/research-grants-2021/

Healthcare Technologies: Call for Investigator-led Research Projects

Healthcare technologies investigator-led research grants are for researchers at UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations and NHS bodies.

This funding call is looking for researchers in engineering, physical sciences, information and communications technologies (ICT) and mathematical sciences who want to apply their expertise to healthcare challenges. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/healthcare-technologies-investigator-led-grant/

UKRI Developmental pathway funding scheme

You can apply for funding from this scheme for academically led pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including repurposing of existing therapies. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/developmental-pathway-funding-scheme-nov-2021/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

MRC career development award: Sep 2021

This award can help you become an independent investigator through a programme of research and training lasting up to five years.

To apply, you must have:

• research plans within MRC’s remit which do not overlap with those of your current group leader or proposed sponsor
• a track record of challenging, original and productive research across past appointments, and an upward trajectory
• identified opportunities for developing and progressing in your career

For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-career-development-award-sep-2021/

NIHR i4i Connect Call #5

The Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme is a translational research funding scheme aimed at de-risking early-to-late stage medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for ultimate NHS use.

i4i has three funding streams: Product Development Awards (PDA), Challenge Awards and Connect. PDA and Challenge run two funding competitions a year, launching in autumn and spring, whereas Connect runs one funding competition each summer. See the full dates for i4i funding competitions. All i4i funding streams have a two stage application process. For more information: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/funding-programmes/invention-for-innovation.htm

UKRI Developmental pathway funding scheme

You can apply for funding from this scheme for academically led pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including repurposing of existing therapies. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/developmental-pathway-funding-scheme-july-2021/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Better methods, better research: Nov 2021

This funding opportunity is open to researchers at eligible organisations including higher education institutions, approved independent research organisations and NHS bodies, and MRC institutes.

You can apply for funding to support research to improve research methods being applied by others anywhere within the remit of MRC or the NIHR. The applicants are encouraged to learn from others where possible, and welcome multidisciplinary teams or approaches.

You apply under the normal process for the type of grant. These are:

• research grants
• new investigator research grants
• partnership grants

For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/better-methods-better-research-nov-2021/

Invention for Innovation – Challenge Awards Call 12

Health Technology Assessment Programme: Commissioned calls (with potential Australian collaboration)

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme funds research about the clinical and cost-effectiveness, and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests, for those who plan, provide or receive care from NHS, and social care services.

The following commissioned calls come with the potential for Australian collaboration. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) will invest up to $3 million AUD to cover the Australian component of the research projects.

The HTA Programme is accepting stage 1 applications to their commissioned workstream for the following primary research topics:

• 21/18 Lumbar fusion for low back pain
• 21/19 Low energy contact X-ray brachytherapy (Papillon technique) or local excision for people with early stage rectal cancer where major surgery is not planned
• 21/20 Lipid-modifying therapy in children with familial hypercholesterolaemia
• 21/21 Percutaneous thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules
• 21/22 Stretching programme for ambulant children with cerebral palsy
• 21/23 Strengthening programme for ambulant adolescents with cerebral palsy
• 21/25 Use of biologic drugs around the time of orthopaedic surgery
• 21/26 Microsuction compared with irrigation to remove earwax
• 21/27 Endoscopic versus open surgery for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome
• 21/28 Maintenance therapy for lichen sclerosus
• 21/29 Maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder
• 21/30 Non-conservative treatments for major low anterior resection syndrome

British Heart Foundation New Horizons Grants

New Horizons Grants encourage scientists from outside traditional cardiovascular biology to engage in cardiovascular research and bring novel expertise to the field to develop new technologies, models or methodologies and explore novel concepts.

Examples of such collaborations includes cooperatives between biologists and engineers, physicists, mathematicians etc. For more information: https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/new-horizon-grants

Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund: Project Grants

The Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund awards grants for research on aspects of leukaemia and for relevant studies on related haematological malignancies. Applications are sought for first class research on innovative proposals and are particularly welcomed from those with applications close to the care of leukaemia patients or the prevention of leukaemia or related diseases.

Research grants are normally awarded for projects of up to 3 years’ duration. It is intended that KKLF funding should not be the ‘core’ funding of any research group. Applicants should state clearly how their proposal relates to their core funding. Applications are particularly encouraged from individuals within 5 years of their first independent group leader position. For more information: http://kklf.org.uk/project-grants/

NIHR Dementia Research Call

This NIHR call invites proposals for dementia research to address important health and social care questions. NIHR aims to continue building the evidence base to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. More research is needed on meeting the needs of underserved populations. Applications are welcomed which include populations with a high disease burden and which have been historically under-served by NIHR research activity, and which address equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Dementia Research Call is open across the following NIHR programmes:

• Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (deadline: 10th August 2021)
• Public Health Research (deadline: 12th August 2021)
• Health Technology Assessment (deadline: 15th September 2021)
• Health Services and Delivery Research Programme (deadline 7th October 2021)

Public Health Research Programme: New commissioned calls

The Public Health Research (PHR) Programme funds research to generate evidence to inform the delivery of non-NHS interventions, intended to improve the health of the public, and reduce inequalities in health.

The PHR Programme is accepting stage 1 applications to their commissioned workstream for the following topics:

• 21/38 Which interventions are effective and cost-effective in impacting gambling-related harm?
• 21/39 Improving independence among older people or disabled people
• 21/40 Alcohol interventions in secondary and further education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

Research for Patient Benefit – Competition 45

The NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme funds health, public health and social care research covering a wide range of health service challenges. The aim of the programme is to fund topics and research methodologies that increase the effectiveness of NHS services, provide value for money and benefit patients.

Applications are invited for research proposals that are concerned with the day-to-day practice of health service staff, and which have the potential to have an impact on the health or wellbeing of patients and users of the NHS. As a response mode researcher-led programme, Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) does not specify topics for research, but encourages proposals for projects which address a wide range of health service issues and challenges. For more information: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/research-for-patient-benefit-competition-45/27330

CRUK: Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer Award

The award aims to encourage scientists at all career stages to engage with the early detection and diagnosis of cancer field. It will support new and exploratory research ideas and/or pilot studies of high scientific risk and potential reward. It supports the development of new partnerships and exploration of highly novel concepts, involving researchers from any research area, including from non-traditional cancer fields. For more information: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/early-detection-and-diagnosis-primer-award

Dunhill Medical Trust: Developing the evidence base: building and delivering suitable living environments and communities for an ageing population

Funding will be available to support academic and clinical researchers partnered with community organisations, to conduct innovative research projects into building and delivering suitable living environments and communities for an ageing population. For more information: https://dunhillmedical.org.uk/apply-for-funding/

Recovery, renewal and resilience in a post-pandemic world

Apply for funding to investigate how COVID-19 will affect society in the medium and long term. Your proposal must address key gaps in our understanding to help:

• reduce the pandemic’s effect on society
• support recovery and renewal.

You must apply as part of a transnational partnership of at least three members. For more information: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/recovery-renewal-and-resilience-in-a-post-pandemic-world/

Medilink & EMAHSN: Innovation Support Grants

Up to £20,000 grants available for companies based in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire,  Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Bedfordshire, Luton, Buckingham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire to further develop their innovations. Find out more by contacting Medilink.

Medilink & EMAHSN: Medtech Trials Grants

Up to £50,000 grants contribution to support clinical trials and evaluation of new products for companies based in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Bedfordshire, Luton, Buckingham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Find out more by contacting Medilink.

The East Midlands AHSN Accelerator Programme

East Midlands AHSN Accelerator Programme, delivered by BioCity is an intensive programme specifically designed to help scientific entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses from their science. You will learn how to ‘Lean Start-up’, using a set of highly effective tools to identify gaps in your business, evaluate risks and create a business model that stands-up to the scrutiny of potential investors, partners and customers.  £50k convertible loan will be available to the most promising ventures as well as virtual or physical lab or office space for up to 12 months. For more information: https://biocity.co.uk/accelerator-programmes-emahsn/

Novo Nordisk – Oxford Fellowship Programme

The Novo Nordisk – Oxford Fellowship Programme aims to support the development of a new generation of exceptional researchers in diabetes and metabolism, who will become future leaders in the field. The programme also aims to further develop scientific excellence within diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases and ultimately improve the lives of patients. For more information: https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/work-with-us/novo-nordisk-oxford-fellowships

Cancer Research UK – Current funding awards

For the list of all current Cancer Research UK funding awards: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes

NIHR: 21/10 Health Services and Delivery Researcher Programme (Standard Researcher-led)

The Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme are accepting stage 1 applications to their researcher-led workstream. For more information: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/2110-health-services-and-delivery-research-programme-standard-researcher-led/

Guarantors of Brain: Post-Doctoral & Brain Entry Fellowships

Post-doctoral clinical fellowship
Post-doctoral clinical fellowships provides salary support for up to one year to early/mid-career clinicians based in the United Kingdom. The scheme is intended to provide funding after completion of a higher degree (PhD or research MD). Applicants must be engaged in, neurology, neurosurgery, neurophysiology or psychiatry higher specialist training in the UK (including MRCP or equivalent for the different specialties). The candidate must demonstrate their intention and prospects of a career in clinical academia.

Non-clinical post-doctoral fellowships
Non-clinical post-doctoral fellowships provide salary support for up to three years to non-clinical postdoctoral career researchers who are working in clinical neuroscience setting in the United Kingdom. Successful candidates will demonstrate their interest in bringing basic science approaches to bear on key problems in clinical neuroscience. The Fellowship must be undertaken after completion of a PhD or equivalent higher degree, to commence no more than six years from the PhD. The Fellowships are intended to support research that is embedded in a clinical neuroscience setting, typically in clinical neurology and its related specialties, and research with clear goals for clinical translation. The candidate should demonstrate a long-term commitment to a career in clinical neuroscience.

For more information: https://guarantorsofbrain.org/grants/post-doc-brain-entry-fellowships/

The Colt Foundation – Project Grants

The Colt Foundation funds high quality research projects in the field of occupational and environmental health, particularly those aimed at discovering the cause of illnesses arising from conditions at the place of work.

The Colt Foundation aims particularly to support research projects concerning the health, safety, comfort and well-being of people at work, and the impacts of industrial activities and pollutants on the health of the public more widely. The Trustees have occasionally supported projects that fall outside these areas, but they are very much the exception. For more information: https://www.coltfoundation.org.uk/project-grants/