Please note: while these pages are reviewed and updated regularly, it is important to contact the funding organisation for the latest information.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has regular grants and funding opportunities. These include individual awards – from pre-doctoral level through the research professorships – and themed calls based on specific health and social care needs that have been identified as priority issues. For more information, visit their website.
The Royal College of Nursing lists research grants and funding opportunities that might be suitable for nurses and midwives. Visit their website for more details.
Coeliac UK - Research Call 2023
Coeliac UK would like to invite researchers to apply for a grant of up to £250,000 for a project that will underpin the charity’s top ten research priorities and take them on a journey to a cure.
They welcome applications from Principal Investigators (PIs) around the globe, and collaborations across disciplines and conditions, where appropriate, are strongly encouraged.
Closing date: 2 October 2023
For more details please see Coeliac UK
Alzheimer’s Research UK – Pilot Projects
The Pilot project scheme is meant for novel research ideas that, if successful, would lead to a major project or programme application to Alzheimer’s Research UK or other funding body.
This scheme also provides funds for small, translational research projects that show potential for collaboration with the Alzheimer's Research UK Drug Discovery Alliance.
Closing date: 4 October 2023
For more details please see Alzheimer's Research UK
Marie Curie - Research Impact Fund
The Marie Curie Research Impact Fund provides support for well-planned, high-quality, targeted activities that will facilitate the uptake of existing palliative and end of life care research into policy or practice to benefit people affected by dying, death and bereavement.
A total of £100,000 is available for this round of the Impact Fund and applicants can apply for grants of up to £10,000 through the scheme.
Closing date: 4 October 2023
For more details please see Marie Curie
The Wellcome Trust - Wellcome Early-Career Awards
This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme.
Level of funding is salary and up to £400,000 for research expenses. If eligible, additional funding for overseas allowances and overheads can be requested. Duration of funding is usually 5 years, but may be less for some disciplines, and may only be longer if held on a part-time basis.
Closing date: 5 October 2023
For more details, please see Wellcome.
British Heart Foundation - Career Development Research Fellowships for Nurses & Healthcare Professionals
The research proposed should usually be related to the improvement of care and outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease. If you have any queries about the suitability of your research for this scheme, please contact the BHF in advance of submitting an application.
Closing date: 25 October 2023
For more details please see the British Heart Foundation.
The Urology Foundation - Smaller Research Projects Fund
The UF Smaller Research Projects Fund is aimed at projects that can be delivered quickly (i.e., within 2 years) and are focused on projects that seek to improve the quality of clinical services, and patient treatments and care. Applicants should be able to show how their research is beneficial to patient care and how it might improve practice. This fund is open to applications from nurses, as well as clinicians and researchers.
Closing date: 31 October 2023
For more details please see the Urology Foundation.
Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Academic Research Partnerships (CARPs)
This scheme provides research-qualified healthcare professionals, who are not currently undertaking any substantial research activity, with:
- the opportunity to form a collaborative high-quality research partnership with established leading biomedical and applied health researchers
- protected time and funding to enhance their research skills and experience
Applicants must be registered healthcare professionals with a PhD, MD or equivalent and be working at a senior level with specialised knowledge, and a demonstrable capacity for professional independence and leadership.
Closing date: 16 November 2023
For more details, please see UKRI.
The Lily Foundation -Treatments for Mitochondrial Disease
Lily research grants will be offered to UK academic researchers and UK institutions that can demonstrate they are committed to discovering innovative treatments for Mitochondrial Disease. Clinical and preclinical treatment studies will be considered, provided they could realistically be expected to translate to clinical practice.
Treatments are defined as reducing symptoms of Mitochondrial Disease, improving quality of life or lengthening lifespan of patients.
Closing date: 24 November 2023
For more details please see The Lily Foundation.
Cancer research UK - Multidisciplinary Project Award
The aim of these awards is to generate creative research ideas and explore their applicability in cancer research. These awards are awarded jointly between Principal Investigators (PI) from engineering/physical science disciplines, and PIs who are working in cancer research.
With a primary focus on multidisciplinary research, the research themes within remit for this award include:
- The direct application of physics, engineering, chemical or mathematical concepts to address the underlying physical processes of cancer, including tumour initiation, growth and metastasis.
- The development of new transformational approaches or the translation of technologies for direct applications in, or a clear path to, a direct application in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of cancer. Proposals for the first applications of technologies in cancer research and those which demonstrate potential clinical applicability are encouraged.
Closing date: 11 January 2024
For more details please see Cancer Research UK.
