Health Systems Research Initiative (HSRI) Foundation Grant

Medical Research Council (MRC)

26 May 2021, 16:00
£200,000
24 months

This is funding for research to improve health systems in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Research can be an exploratory, stand-alone study or pilot or feasibility work that leads to a large research project in future. Applicants must be based at an eligible research organisation in either the UK or an LMIC.

Development Grant for Research on Paediatric Gastrointestinal, Hepatological, and Nutritional Disorders

Guts UK/BSPGHAN

01 June 2021, 17:00
£40,000
24 months

Guts UK and the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) are passionate about supporting research into paediatric gastrointestinal, hepatological and nutritional disorders. Guts UK and BSPGHAN have launched a new grant call to provide financial support for the collection of pilot or proof-of-concept data that will enable a high-quality competitive application to be made subsequently to a research council or other large funder. Clinician and scientific investigators, including academic clinical lecturers, based at a UK university or hospital may apply. The principal applicant must have a contract of sufficient length to cover the duration of the research project and must have their salary guaranteed for the duration.

Health Services and Delivery Research Programme – Researcher-Led (21/04 Children and Young People’s Mental Health)

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

03 June 2021, 13:00
Not stated
Not stated

This supports research on questions proposed directly by researchers on improving the quality of care, support and access to services for children and young people with mental health conditions, including children who have, or have had a social worker.

Health Service and Delivery Research Programme (Evidence Synthesis Researcher-Led)

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

03 June 2021, 13:00
Not stated
Not stated

The NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme funds research to produce evidence to impact on the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services. This includes evaluations of how the NHS and social care might improve delivery of services. The audience for this research is the public, service users, clinicians, professionals and managers.

Invention for Innovation (i4i) Product Development Awards

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

09 June 2021, 13:00
No limit
36 months

These awards support innovations at any stage of the translational and developmental pathway, including the clinical development of laboratory-validated technologies or interventions. The research proposals may address any disease or health area, provided there is a clear unmet clinical need. There is no upper funding limit, but costs must be fully justified.

EIC Accelerator Challenges

Horizon Europe

09 June 2021, 17:00 (CEST)
Not stated
Not stated

The EIC Accelerator Challenges supports companies (principally start-ups and SMEs) to scale up high impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones in identified areas of strategic relevance. Like EIC Accelerator Open (Section II.3 of the EIC Work Programme 2021), the EIC Accelerator Challenges focus on innovations building on scientific discovery or technological breakthroughs (‘deep tech’) and where significant funding is needed over a long timeframe before returns can be generated (‘patient capital’).

Developing Guidance for Better Research Methods

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) & Medical Research Council (MRC)

10 June 2021, 16:00
£60,000
18 months

Funding is available to develop new guidance on biomedical and health research methods. The guidance should aim to improve the understanding and use of better methods related to the remit of MRC or National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and be accessible to those without specialist methodology knowledge. The lead applicant must have a postgraduate degree and be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Funding should typically support background or scoping review, consensus development, open access publication and production of other learning resources, if required.

Invention for Innovation (i4i) Challenge Awards

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

10 June 2021
No limit
5 years

i4i Challenge Awards support market-ready innovations by addressing the translational gap between the clinical evaluation of technologies and their adoption, by funding the assessment of MedTech innovations in real-world healthcare settings. The expected output is a disruptive medical device or in vitro diagnostic test that can offer improved outcomes for NHS patients. There is no upper funding limit for the Challenge Awards, but costs must be fully justified.

Academy of Medical Sciences

Springboard Awards

15 June 2021, 16:00
£100,000
24 months

These awards provide up to £100,000 over two years and a personalised package of career support to help newly independent biomedical scientists to launch their research careers.

Understanding Remote Approaches to Qualitative Health Research

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) & Medical Research Council (MRC)

17 June 2021, 16:00
£500,000
Not stated

Apply for funding to improve the understanding, design and use of remote data capture within qualitative health research. Your research must be designed to improve the research methods used by others. We welcome multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches. The lead applicant must have a postgraduate degree and be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.

Collaborative PhD scholarships in Child Health Technology

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (SCH) & Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

17 June 2021, 23:30
See below
3 years (full time) or 5 years (part time)

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Hallam University are inviting applications for a collaborative PhD scholarship in the area of Child Health Technology, to start October 2021 or February 2022. The scholarship is jointly funded by Sheffield Hallam University and The Children’s Hospital Charity, and is available for 3 years of full-time or 5 years of part-time study. The focus of the call is for novel developments in Child Health Technology. This collaboration will enable the successful applicant to explore creative approaches to developing health technologies that align with national strategic priorities in child health and address an identified clinical need.

The scholarship provides University tuition fees at Home levels and an annual maintenance stipend at UKRI national minimum doctoral stipend rates (£15,609 per annum for 2021/22 full-time study; £7,805 per annum for part-time)

Development Grants: Early Career Researchers

Guts UK

05 July 2021, 17:00
£15,000
24 months

Guts UK are happy to announce the launch of a new type of grant award, aimed at early career researchers not yet in a substantive position or within three years of appointment to a substantive academic post. Allowance will be made for applicants whose career has been subject to an interruption for family or personal reasons. These grants are for translational or proof of concept research in any area of gastroenterology (including pancreatology and hepatology). We strongly encourage applications that are aligned to our current research priorities which can be found on our website. It is envisaged that the research project could allow the collection of pilot or proof-of-concept data that will enable a high-quality competitive application to be made subsequently to a research council or other large funder, such as the National Institute of Health Research.

Trainee Research Awards (Individual and Networks)

Guts UK & British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)

05 July 2021, 17:00
£5,000
12 months

Guts UK and the British Society of Gastroenterology are passionate about inspiring researchers of the future and since 2016, we have jointly funded “trainee research awards”. These trainee research awards are open to specialty trainees (who hold a National Training Number), who are eager to conduct research or audit/quality improvement in any area of gastroenterology (including pancreatology and hepatology) or nutrition in relation to gastroenterology. We strongly encourage applications that are aligned to our current research priorities which can be found on the Guts UK website. To support our priorities, this year we will reserve at least one award for each of two key current areas, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Applications in these areas are especially encouraged. Applications are accepted for individual and for network projects.

Crohn’s Disease Research Grants

forCrohns & Guts UK

05 July 2021, 17:00
£25,000
24 months

forCrohns funds research that helps people with Crohn’s disease today and can contribute to finding a cure in the future. Guts UK funds research on all digestive disorders. Three grants of up to £25,000 will be awarded for research projects that should specifically investigate Covid and/or anything related to health and quality of life for people with Crohn’s disease. The research project could allow the collection of pilot or proof-of-concept data that will enable a high-quality competitive application to be made subsequently to a research council or other large funder, such as the National Institute of Health Research.

Innovation Grants

MedTech NAVIGATOR

09 July 2021, 12:00
£7,500
Not stated

The MedTech NAVIGATOR Innovation Grants are designed to facilitate such bespoke interactions between SMEs and eligible Knowledge Providers, such as an NHS Trust, or a University, during the product development process. Each Innovation Grant (up to £7,500) is worth 50% of the total project costs up to a maximum of £15,000. Your business must pay the remaining 50% and any project costs over and above the £15,000 cap.

Collaboration Fund

White Rose University Consortium

14 July 2021, 12:00
£15,000
Not stated

The fund is designed to support and encourage emerging collaborations across the Universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield. A key element is that the collaboration has the potential to lead to a larger strategic initiative. Applications are particularly encouraged from academics at an early stage of their career.

Research Grants Program

Merck

31 August 2021
40,000 – 450,000 € per year
36 months

The Merck research grants program is open to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company. Applicants submit their application for the focus topics containing non-confidential information only. You may apply for more than one grant or submit your application for more than one focus topic. If your application is successful, you are invited to submit a full proposal under confidentiality and join a deep-dive workshop with the other finalists. All applicants will be informed about the decision of the selection committee at the beginning of October.

Molecular and Cellular Medicine Research Grant

Medical Research Council (MRC)

01 September 2021
£1 million
5 years

The MRC’s Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board funds research into basic biological mechanisms or technologies relevant to human health and disease. We award research grants to UK-based research organisations. Research grants may involve more than one research group or institution.

Early Detection and Diagnosis Primer Award

Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

08 September 2021
£100,000
12 months

This enables researchers at all stages to develop early, novel and outside-the-box ideas and collaborations to build and make progress in the early detection field.

Infections and Immunity Programme Grant

Medical Research Council (MRC)

08 September 2021, 16:00
£1 million
5 years

Funding is available from MRC’s Infections and Immunity Board to provide large, long-term and renewable programme funding for researchers working in the area of infections and immunity.

Experimental Medicine Grants

Medical Research Council (MRC)

09 September 2021, 16:00
No limit
No limit

Funding is available to investigate the causes, progression and treatment of human disease. Project must include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans, focus on addressing mechanistic questions and be academically led. Applicants must be based at an eligible UK research organisation.

Invention for Innovation (i4i) Connect

Medical Research Council (MRC)

14 September 2021
£150,000
12 months

i4i Connect is aimed at small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and Tier 3a digital health technologies with direct patient benefits, looking to ultimately integrate into the NHS. The funding stream aims to help SMEs reach the next stage in the development pathway to apply for further funding, in particular for an i4i Product Development Award. i4i Connect is researcher-led and does not specify topics for research.

Neurosciences and Mental Health Research Grant

Medical Research Council (MRC)

29 September 2021
£1 million
5 years

Funding is available from MRC’s Neurosciences and Mental Health Board to support focused research projects on neurosciences and mental health. We award research grants to UK-based research organisations, and research grants may involve more than one research group or institution.

Derek Butler Fellowship (Upper GI)

Guts UK

04 October 2021
£210,000
36 months

This is a 3-year full-time fellowship for research into diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract including cancer.  Research should be on the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum.  Studies on the liver and pancreas are excluded as funded elsewhere.  Preference will be given to candidates who intend to pursue research in the future. In making the award, emphasis will be placed not only on the project itself, but also on the candidate’s potential and the quality of the training proposed.

The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)

09 December 2021, 17:00 US Eastern Time
$180,000
24 months

The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders aims to grow the global base of movement disorder specialists — neurologists with additional training in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders — by training movement disorder clinician-researchers who can provide expert care and lead scientific advances. The program grants funding directly to academic centres, which then must identify and train a new movement disorder clinician-researcher over a two-year period. Grant support cannot be used for a fellow already enrolled or selected. The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders is open to academic centres worldwide.

Public Engagement Seed Funding

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Not stated
£10,000
Not stated

Medical Research Council and Medical Research Foundation (MRF) funded scientists are encouraged to participate in engagement activities. Sharing our research work with the public who fund it and the wider world is a crucial part of the MRC mission. This scheme is open to all MRC and MRF funded researchers and those working in MRC research institutes, units and centres. The funders aim is to support the piloting of new activities and/or to take advantage of unexpected engagement opportunities.

Expression of Interest: Emergency Route for Time-Critical COVID-19 Research

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

No closing date
£80,000
6 months

Apply for funding to support short term time-sensitive collection of data or samples or rapid turn-around research or analysis to either inform urgent policy or national decision making or secure data for future research use.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Innovate UK, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

No closing date
Not stated
36 months

Available for businesses or not-for-profit organisations, research organisations and graduates to work on an innovation project. Funding is provided to support the total cost of the project. Businesses should provide around one-third to half of the project costs depending on their size.

Support to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE)

Apply online at any time
No limit
No limit

PRACE is welcoming project proposals requesting computing resources to contribute to the mitigation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This applies, without being exhaustive, to the following topics:

• Biomolecular research to understand the mechanisms of the virus infection
• Bioinformatics research to understand mutations, evolution, etc.
• Bio-simulations to develop therapeutics and/or vaccines
• Epidemiologic analysis to understand and forecast the spread of the disease
• Other analyses to understand and mitigate the impact of the pandemic

This call for proposals will follow a fast track review process to provide swift feedback to the applicants.

Government Support for Research Related to COVID-19

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Apply online at any time
No limit
No limit

COVID-19 Urgent Public Health Research is being prioritised to gather the necessary clinical and epidemiological evidence that will inform national policy and enable new diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines to be developed and tested for COVID-19.

Government support is available to prioritise, coordinate and deliver these studies, regardless of sponsorship and funding source. This support includes expedited identification of sites to ensure appropriate geographical distribution of Urgent Public Health Research to maximise recruitment and minimise over-commitment of resource.

Public Engagement Development Fund

University of Sheffield

No deadline
£5,000
Not stated but award must be spent by 31 July 2021

The public engagement development fund for the 2020/21 academic year is now open for applications. The fund is intended to provide small grant funding to enable successful applicants to begin public engagement where grant funding does not currently exist. This may be where applicants have not undertaken public engagement activities before or where there is potential for follow on activities already taking place.

Innovator Awards

Wellcome Trust

Apply online at any time, shortlisting occurs every 3 months
Up to £500k (or £750k for multidisciplinary collaborations)
Up to 24 months (or 36 months for multidisciplinary collaborations)

Innovator Awards are open to researchers who are developing healthcare innovations that could have a major and measurable impact on human health. You can work in any scientific discipline, including a discipline outside life sciences. You can work on any type of technology. Examples of technologies include: therapeutics (small molecules or biologics); vaccines; devices; diagnostics; digital technologies; and regenerative medicine. The work that you propose must be essential for developing your healthcare innovation.

Nesta Impact Investments

Nesta

Open call
£1 million
No limit

Nesta want to see the power of innovation and technology used to address big social issues. Their mission is to invest in high impact innovations run by outstanding entrepreneurs. They invest primarily to create real and lasting social impact in the UK, as well as generating a financial return for our investors. They invest between £150k and £1m in social ventures developing innovations that tackle the major challenges faced by older people, children, and communities in the UK.

Healthcare Technologies: Call for Investigator Led Research Projects

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Open call
Flexible depending on quality and demand
No limit

This call is aimed at researchers working in Engineering, Physical Sciences, ICT, and Mathematical Sciences that are now seeking to apply their research expertise to a defined healthcare challenge. Applications to this call must be clearly aligned to the Healthcare Technologies theme Grand Challenges: Developing Future Therapies; Frontiers of Physical Intervention; Optimising Treatment; and Transforming Community Health and Care.

Economic and Social Research Council: Research Grants

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

No fixed closing date
£350,000 – £1 million
Up to 5 years

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Research Grants (open call) invites proposals from eligible individuals and research teams for standard research projects, large-scale surveys and other infrastructure projects and for methodological developments. The call offers researchers considerable flexibility to focus on any subject area or topic providing that it falls within ESRC’s remit. Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent more than 50 per cent of the research focus and effort.

Ambitious and novel research proposals addressing new concepts and techniques and those with the potential for significant scientific or societal and economic impact are particularly encouraged. They are keen to encourage fresh ideas from new researchers and appropriate proposals are welcomed from those with limited research experience.

Funding decisions are based on a number of criteria including quality, timeliness, potential impact and value for money.