Research grants for UK researchers

Recognises the most prominent applied health and social care researchers in England and Northern Ireland. Applicants must be employed by an English or Northern Irish organisation and lead (or have led within 2 years) NIHR-funded applied health, public health, or social care research. Strategic priority areas include social care, public health, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, and post-92 HEIs.

Horizon Europe RIA under the EU Cancer Mission supporting development of validated microbiome tools for early cancer prediction before disease onset, including AI risk modelling, longitudinal cohort studies, and comparison with liquid biopsy tests. Proposals must address multiple cancer types where possible and collaborate with large cohorts/registries. Lump sum grant; one grant expected.

Invitation only — only organisations on the EPSRC eligible organisations list that have been contacted directly may apply. Funds early-stage impact activities aligned with EPSRC remit. At least 50% of activities must fall within EPSRC remit. One application per eligible research organisation.

BATT4U Call 03-2026 (Batteries and Energy) — joint transnational call by the Batteries (BATT4EU) European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participatin

Horizon Europe RIA under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €15M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Horizon Europe Innovation Action under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €7M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Finances strategic advice from consulting professionals to prepare and conduct orientation and scientific advice meetings with regulatory authorities for planning and approval of clinical trials ('pre-IND meetings'). Focused on translation of medical/clinical projects.

Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action under the EU Cancer Mission call HORIZON-MISS-2026-02. One indicative grant of approximately €5M. Full topic description available in the Work Programme. Consortia must include eligible entities from at least 3 EU member states or associated countries.

Open to postdoctoral researchers of any nationality with up to 8 years research experience post-PhD, in any scientific field including Euratom research. Applicants must apply jointly with a prospective supervisor and host organisation; Global Fellowships require a third-country host plus a mandatory 12-month return phase in Europe.

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09 - BATTERIES and ENERGY — joint transnational call by the Batteries (BATT4EU) European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participatin

Funds strategic advice from consulting professionals to prepare and conduct orientation and scientific advice meetings with regulatory authorities (e.g. pre-IND meetings) for planning and approval of clinical trials in medical translational research.

Horizon Europe RIA (lump sum) for academic investigator-initiated pragmatic clinical trials on immunotherapeutic interventions for refractory cancer patients. Proposals must include a clinical studies annex, disaggregate data by sex/gender/age, and engage patients in endpoint definition. Applicants must include diverse stakeholders and plan to join the EU Cancer Mission 'Diagnosis and Treatment' cluster. ~3 grants expected.

Horizon Europe RIA under the Cancer Mission. Requires development of multiscale AI-integrated Virtual Human Twins for cancer onset, progression and personalised treatment. Proposals must include clinical study annex if clinical studies are envisaged. Interdisciplinary consortia including healthcare professionals, patient representatives, AI experts and SMEs expected. Open science principles mandatory; data must be shared via UNCAN.eu and Advanced VHT Platform.

Open competition for UK research organisations. Consortia/joint applications from groups of institutions are welcome where scientifically justified. Public engagement limited to ≤15% of budget. At least 50% of activities must fall within MRC remit. One application per eligible organisation (or consortium lead).

For researchers post-PhD seeking first step to independence in MRC remit (human health). Must be hosted at an eligible UK research organisation; applicants of all nationalities welcome. Clinically active researchers are ineligible (separate clinician scientist scheme). Cannot hold a comparable fellowship or have secured grants as project lead with research staff. Fellowship must be full-time (or part-time for personal reasons only). Start date June–September 2027.

Open competition for UK research organisations with a research base in AHRC remit areas. Funds early-stage impact activities (proof of concept, commercialisation, knowledge exchange, policy engagement). One application per eligible research organisation. At least 50% of activities must fall within AHRC remit. No matched funding required.

Open competition for UK research organisations with a research base in STFC remit areas. No public engagement costs funded. At least 50% of activities must fall within STFC remit. One application per eligible research organisation. No matched funding required.

Funding for private SMEs (min. 4 FTE) in biotech, medtech, digital health, AI, biomarkers or diagnostics that have closed at least €2M equity investment within the previous 36 months. Requires minimum Innovation Maturity Level depending on sector (IML 5-7); EIT Health funds max 50% of costs, remainder must be co-funded by the company.

Shaping the Future of Animal Health and Welfare — joint transnational call by the EUPAHW European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funder

Funds design and delivery of an EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway (personalised learning courses) within the Certified Innovation Path portfolio. Consortium must include ≥2 HEIs in ≥2 eligible Member States (at least one in an EIT RIS region) and ≥1 industry/non-academic partner. At least one HEI must be authorised to award ECTS credits. Focus on health biotech innovation, entrepreneurship, and translation to market-ready solutions across Europe.

Funds mature digital, data-driven and AI-powered healthcare solutions ready to scale across Europe, covering commercialisation pilots, usability testing, go-to-market strategy, health economics and reimbursement pathway development. Funding covers up to 50% of costs; applicants must be legal entities in eligible Horizon Europe countries.

Funds development of an EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway within the Certified Innovation Path portfolio, designing personalised learning courses covering EU Biotech Act, Clinical Trials Regulation and MDR/IVDR translation and scale-up. Requires consortium of HEIs (one authorised to award ECTS credits) plus active industry/non-academic partner involvement in curriculum and assessment.

Call for consortia to develop an EIT Label-certified micro-credentials programme in entrepreneurship, innovation and project management for advanced Master's and PhD students in life sciences, medtech and biotech. Open to EIT Health Members and Non-Members, of special interest to universities, incubators, accelerators, business schools, industry and start-ups.

Industry Fellowships from the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences. Funds research and fellowships across the natural sciences; most schemes require a UK host institution (some exchange and visiting schemes involve overseas partners). Applications close 16 September 2026.

Transnational call under the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare covering two topics: Animal Welfare, and Prevention & Control.

Supports novel, ambitious, transformative arts and humanities research teams (3–5 years, £2M–£3M FEC; AHRC funds 80%). Must be team-convened with distributed co-lead leadership. Lead research organisation must have standard UKRI eligibility (UK-based). International co-leads eligible up to 30% FEC. No PhD studentships permitted. Proposals must fall within AHRC subject remit.

UK research organisations (excluding STFC facilities as lead) may apply as single institution or multi-institution consortium to host cohort-based doctoral training in data-intensive sciences (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics etc.). Industrial partner representation on management board required. Students must complete ≥6-month placement outside academia. Proposals submitted in English via UKRI Funding Service.

Global Health EDCTP3 Calls for proposals 2026 — joint transnational call by the GH EDCTP3 JU European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating fu

Funds an Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) to accelerate translation and commercialisation of CHERI (Capability Hardware Enhanced RISC Instructions) technology, advancing the UK's security-by-design landscape. Co-created with industry and end users; requires an exploitation strategy and IP management plan. Host institutions must be UK-based; project partners from UK or overseas are welcome.

Open to STFC theory community members (particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, cosmology, etc.) for HPC computing time on DiRAC facilities. Applicants must be UK-resident or employed by an STFC-approved overseas organisation. Early-career researchers including postdocs and PhD students are eligible as project lead. Awards computing time, not cash funding.

Open only to researchers who already hold an ERC grant, to explore the innovation potential of their ERC-funded frontier research project.

Supports novel, high-risk pilot research or new collaborations in cancer early detection/diagnosis. Applicants must be scientists, clinicians or healthcare workers at a UK university, medical school, hospital or research institution; host institution approval required before deadline.

Open to STFC-accredited UK universities and research organisations wishing to host one of five named core summer schools (Introductory Astronomy, BUSSTEPP, Solar/Solar-Terrestrial Physics, HEP, Nuclear Physics UK) in 2027. Schools must target STFC-funded PhD students and align with STFC's core science programme. Cost-per-student target below £150/day; specific caps apply to lecturer fees, accommodation, and conference dinner.

Funds large-scale venture doctoral training programmes integrating academic research with entrepreneurship and venture creation. Must support min. 50 students across up to 5 annual cohorts. Lead must be a UKRI-eligible organisation (or complete non-standard eligibility before award). Businesses and social enterprises may lead. Norway-based or IIASA project co-leads are not permitted. Non-full economic cost: 100% of eligible costs, no estates/indirect costs.

Funding for established researchers or teams (2-8 applicants) to pursue bold, creative research in any discipline (STEM, humanities, social science, clinical/health) to shift understanding of human life, health and wellbeing. Administering organisation must be a not-for-profit in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); grant funds cannot be transferred to mainland China.

Faraday Discovery Fellowships – Stage 1 from the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences. Funds research and fellowships across the natural sciences; most schemes require a UK host institution (some exchange and visiting schemes involve overseas partners). Applications close 22 Septembe

RAMP Joint Transnational Call 2026 — joint transnational call by the RAMP European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funders.

Early independence fellowship for researchers seeking to establish their own research niche within BBSRC's bioscience remit. Open to any nationality but must be hosted at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. No time-bound post-PhD eligibility criteria. Covers personal salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support; no equipment purchases permitted. BBSRC funds 80% FEC.

Joint scheme with Prostate Cancer UK for clinical trainees pursuing prostate cancer research careers, funding up to £50k for 12 months.

Joint scheme with the Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland for trainee pathologists who are Society members, funding up to £50k for 12 months of cancer-relevant pathology research.

UK applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Proposals must address quantum algorithms/encryption, quantum communications, computing, materials, or sensing. Equipment above £25,000/item and doctoral studentships are not funded. EPSRC funds 80% FEC; no matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC.

International Exchanges Cost Share Round 3 (JSPS and NSTC) from the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences. Funds research and fellowships across the natural sciences; most schemes require a UK host institution (some exchange and visiting schemes involve overseas partners). Application

International Exchanges Global Round 3 from the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences. Funds research and fellowships across the natural sciences; most schemes require a UK host institution (some exchange and visiting schemes involve overseas partners). Applications close 24 September

Short-term funding for clinicians and other health professionals to get involved in research projects early in their career. Restricted to clinicians and health professionals; early-career focus.

For postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a biological discipline moving to a new country and new research area. PhD must be conferred after 24 Sep 2023 (≤3 years prior to Full Proposal deadline). Applicants must change country, cannot work in country of nationality or PhD country. 100% FTE commitment required. At least one lead-author publication required. Purely applied, clinical, or pharmaceutical projects are ineligible.

For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree from a non-biological discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer sciences) with no or little life sciences experience, moving to a new country. PhD must be conferred after 24 Sep 2023. Applicants must change country, cannot work in country of nationality or PhD country. 100% FTE commitment required. At least one lead-author publication required.

Open to academic researchers worldwide with an independent lab, targeting early drug discovery for adult cancers using antibody-based or small molecule approaches. Two award types: Target Award (up to £250k, 12–18 months) for target identification/validation; Early Therapy Award (up to £350k, 18–24 months) for hit identification and druggability assessment. Fundamental biology, drug repurposing, and clinical-trial-enabling studies are excluded.

Funds hit identification, druggability assessment and early therapeutic project development for adult cancers using antibody or small molecule approaches. Run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons; open to academic researchers worldwide.

Funds cancer target identification or validation of novel cancer targets for adult cancers, run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons drug discovery scientists. Open to academic researchers with own lab at any university/institute worldwide.

For mid-career scientists, clinicians or healthcare workers based at a UK university, medical school, hospital or research institution, funding a broad programme addressing fundamental cancer biology questions. Requires informal discussion with CRUK before applying; excludes clinical trials, drug discovery-only, and early detection/prevention research.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Funded through the Norwegian Cancer Society's annual contribution to the Nordic Cancer Union. Applications via NCU's portal. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Round 2 of Design Generators funds design-led research contributing to the green transition, focusing on interventions within existing systems (healthcare, food networks, governance, etc.). UK-based organisations only; international researchers, activities, and stakeholders are ineligible. At least 50% of disciplinary focus must fall within AHRC remit. Projects must start by 1 February 2027. Resubmissions from round one are not accepted.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Norwegian Cancer Society contributes annually to this Nordic Cancer Union initiative. Information and application portal on NCU's website. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual Nordic Cancer Union call funding cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration, administered via the Norwegian Cancer Society. Total call budget is €950,000.

PRIMA Call 2026 Section 2 — joint transnational call by the PRIMA European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funders.

Long-term programme funding for established scientists, clinicians or healthcare workers based at UK universities, medical schools, hospitals or research institutions to pursue basic or early-stage translational cancer research. Requires prior contact/expression of interest before applying; closed scheme with outline then full application stages.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Total pool of €950,000. Applications submitted via NCU's own portal. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration, funded by Nordic Cancer Union with Norwegian Cancer Society contributions. Total budget €950,000. Information and application portal on NCU's website. Questions to ncu@kreftforeningen.no.

Annual call for cancer research projects with Nordic collaboration. Total budget €950,000. Applications submitted via NCU's own portal. Nordic cross-country collaboration is required.

For researchers (any nationality) seeking to establish independent research niche in STFC remit areas (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, quantum technologies, etc.). Must be hosted at a UK research organisation holding an ERF quota. STFC funds 80% FEC; host funds balance. Up to 10 fellowships offered. Cannot fund PDRAs or PhD students. Part-time (≥50% FTE) permitted.

For clinicians with a higher research degree (MD/PhD), GMC registration, and a national training number, hosted at a UK university, hospital or research institute; must remain clinically active (20-50% clinical time depending on stage). Two-stage process: outline then full application with interview.

Supports new group leaders without a salaried independent position to establish an independent research group at a UK host institution; applicant must be sole PI and lead work independently of other labs. Funds salary enhancement, up to two supporting posts, running costs, equipment up to £25k, and limited relocation costs.

Supports new group leaders with a salaried independent position to establish an independent cancer-relevant research group at a UK host institution. No longer accepting new outline applications from clinicians following the May 2026 committee review; applicant must be sole PI leading work independently of other labs.

For clinician scientists with CCT and consultant status transitioning to research independence in cancer research; applicant must be sole PI, GMC-registered, hold MD/PhD, and be based at a UK host institution which must commit to a tapered salary contribution and provide a letter of support.

For independent group leaders in cancer research based at a UK host institution. No longer accepting new outline applications from clinicians following May 2026 committee review; funds 50% of salary, postdoc/technician/PhD student salaries, running costs and equipment.

UK-led interdisciplinary research on wildfire resilience in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), in collaboration with US (NSF) and/or Canadian (NSERC/SSHRC/CIHR) partners. Project lead must be UK-based; international co-leads required. Covers wildfire occurrence, impacts, and adaptation/mitigation/recovery interventions. Standard 20% FEC applies; no additional matched funding required.

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD Fellowship funds ambitious basic biomedical PhD projects. Europe-wide: EU citizens anywhere, or non-EU citizens whose PhD is at a European host. Experimental basic biomedical research only.

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowship funds medical students (primarily enrolled in Germany) for an experimental basic-biomedical research project in a leading lab away from their home institution.

Senior research leadership award for registered nurses, midwives, dental nurses, AHPs, pharmacists or pharmacy technicians employed by DHSC-funded institutions (NHS trusts, social care, primary care organisations) in England only. Supports individuals to lead research and improve research capacity across their organisation.

Short Industry Fellowships from the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences. Funds research and fellowships across the natural sciences; most schemes require a UK host institution (some exchange and visiting schemes involve overseas partners). Applications close 7 October 2026.

PRIMA Call 2026 Section 1 — joint transnational call by the PRIMA European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funders.

Supports early-career researchers (postdoctoral, lecturers, junior fellows) who have not previously led a research team or held a substantial grant, enabling transition to independence through an experimental medicine project in humans. Salary capped at 50% of contracted working time; applicant must be sole intellectual leader. Typical duration three years.

Directly funded by the European Union and fully managed by the PRIMA Foundation. Supports transnational research and innovation projects among Mediterranean countries. Focuses on water management, agricultural systems, and the agri-food chain (water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus). Consortium of partners from Mediterranean/EU countries required.

Funds academically-led experimental medicine projects conducted in humans, investigating causes, progression and treatment of human disease. UK research organisations eligible as lead; international co-leads permitted (costs capped at 30% for high-income countries). Includes a New Investigator Award track for early-career researchers transitioning to independence (salary capped at 50% FTE). Clinical studies assessing safety/efficacy of treatments are ineligible.

CETP Joint Call 2026 — joint transnational call by the CETP European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funders.

HORIZON-CL5-2026-10 - BATTERIES and MOBILITY — joint transnational call by the Batteries (BATT4EU) European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participat

HORIZON-CL5-2026-10 - BATTERIES and MOBILITY — joint transnational call by the Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call

IHI Call 13 — joint transnational call by the Innovative Health Initiative European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for participating funders.

Open only to HEIs based in Wales, North West, North East and North Cumbria, or South East England. Lead must be a UK HEI within the region; collaborative application required with co-applicants from NHS bodies, local authorities, VCSEs, or other regional providers. England programmes fund engagement activities and research masters studentships for registered health/social care professionals (excl. doctors and dentists for masters); Wales funds engagement activities only.

Achieving open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging en — joint transnational call by the Made in Europe European Partnership, listed on the ERA-LEARN joint-call calendar. Funded by national/regional agencies in participating countries; requires a transnational consortium. See the call page for

Open only to project leads who attended the AI supported research sandpit in Manchester (23–24 June 2026) and were invited to apply. Applicants from non-UK organisations are not eligible to lead. Projects must use at least one ESRC/ADR UK/SDR UK data infrastructure and start by 31 March 2027. UKRI funds 80% FEC; up to £230,000 FEC per project.

Translates BBSRC-funded bioscience research into products, services or solutions delivering UK economic, societal or environmental impact. Applicants must have a direct link to current or previous BBSRC-supported funding. International/overseas organisations and researchers based at overseas institutions are not eligible. Research organisation must contribute 20% FEC. ODA activity is not eligible.

For promising early-career researchers with 0-10 years of experience since completion of PhD, of any nationality, wishing to establish an independent research career and team based at a host institution in an EU Member State or Associated Country.

Two-year travel grants for UK-based observers with travel costs exceeding £7,500/year, covering travel and subsistence for competitively awarded science observation time at PATT-approved astronomy facilities. Applicants must be project lead, co-lead, nominated representative, or academic/research staff at the project lead's institution. Funds 100% FEC; does not cover postdoctoral salaries, equipment, or commissioning work.

Residential fellowships at the Gulbenkian Institute for Advanced Study (IGEA) for internationally renowned scholars, emeritus professors, independent academics, and artists. Open to most research domains without laboratory/experimental requirements; work must not be predominantly practical or applied. Applications submitted individually with CV, project description, and two referees.

Seeks a sector-led partnership to develop a CI-specific USIT-style commercialisation guide for UK universities. Lead organisation must be a UK research organisation registered on the UKRI Funding Service. Partners must include organisations with proven CI commercialisation experience and investors. Projects must start by 1 April 2027. In collaboration with Research England.

Funding for pre-clinical and early translational R&D of medical countermeasures for CBRN threats, from prototype development through early-phase clinical studies (up to phase 2a). Applicant must be employed by a UK-based eligible research organisation; international and commercial organisations cannot lead or partner as project lead.

Fundamental, speculative, high-risk/high-reward research to advance explainability of future AI systems. UK research organisations only as lead; UKRI funds 80% of FEC (max £602,500 FEC). Fixed project start date of 1 February 2027. Applications particularly welcome from early and mid-career researchers. No PhD studentship costs or equipment >£25k per item. Purely social science, legal, policy or ethical studies are out of scope.

Capital investment to renew, replace or enhance existing environmental science research infrastructures and facilities accessible to the wider UK research community. Awards £300k–£1M at 100% FEC; exceptional cases outside this range require prior NERC approval by 21 Sep 2026. Projects must start by 1 Feb 2027; most expenditure expected before 31 Mar 2027. Open to UKRI-eligible organisations only.

UK research organisations eligible for NERC funding only (project lead must be UK-based). Funds development, integration, deployment and demonstration of autonomous sensing, instrumentation and UAS for atmospheric science and wider environmental applications. Projects must start by 1 February 2027 and mobilise rapidly post-award. 100% FEC funded.

NERC/UKRI call addressing ecosystem transitions relevant to resilient economy and security. Applications submitted via UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S). Only the lead research organisation may submit. Project partners are encouraged to contribute cash or in-kind. No matched funding requirement beyond 20% FEC contribution.

UKRI Safer Streets R&D MAP funding opportunity to establish one Research & Innovation Consortium developing measures and pilots to improve trust and confidence in UK policing, prioritising children under 18 and victims of violence against women and girls. Requires track record or credible plan for collaboration with UK police forces; associated studentships not eligible; excludes conventional surveys/opinion polls and purely theoretical research.

Funds compute hardware (CPU and/or GPU) for engineering and physical sciences research communities. Applicants must contact EPSRC (researchinfrastructure@epsrc.ukri.org) to discuss procurement and Trusted Research & Innovation plans before submission. Capital costs (hardware) funded at 100% FEC; resource costs at 80% FEC. Hardware spend must be completed by 31 March 2027. Open to UK organisations and overseas-based organisations meeting UKRI eligibility.

EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP-DEFENCE-01): HORIZON EIC Equity Only

EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01): HORIZON EIC Grants

EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01): HORIZON EIC Grants

EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01): HORIZON EIC Grants