External Funding and Support

Research Professional 

Use of the Research Professional database is free of charge for all University of Cambridge members. Search directly by going to http://www.researchprofessional.com and choosing Self-registration or Campus Access. This comprehensive funding opportunities database offers researchers the opportunity to search for research funding in all disciplines from a wide range of sponsors in the UK and overseas. All funding information in the database is pre-screened for eligibility for UK researchers.

British Heart Foundation 

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) provides personal support for clinical and non-clinical cardiovascular researchers at all stages of their career as well as grants for short and long term research projects, essential infrastructure and strategic awards. Find more information on specific opportunities on the BHF website.

BHF Translational Award

This award supports projects in cardiovascular science from the development of the proof of concept stage to being ready for the commercial market. Applicants can request up to £750,00 for 3yrs.

Projects in the field of stroke, vascular dementia, and cardiovascular aspects of diabetes will also be considered. Find more information on the BHF website and for an informal discussion email researchtranslation@bhf.org.uk.

For University of Cambridge members, the Office for Translational Research translation@medschl.cam.ac.uk can support in assessing the project for the suitability of the scheme, putting the application together, and increasing the chance of success.

UK Government Departments

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding search links to the latest funding opportunities across the UK Research Councils as well as from Innovate UK (business partnerships through the development and commercialisation of new research, products, processes and services) and Research England (funding to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system).

The Medical Research Council (MRC)

Part of UKRI, funding opportunities are listed here.

Other Research councils

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): Lists current research funding opportunities from topic specific calls to career development funding with the NIHR Academy.

  • NIHR fellowship programme: supports individuals on their trajectory to becoming future leaders in health and social care NIHR research.
  • NIHR Academy Award: Comprising both personal and institutional awards.
  • NIHR Research Professorship: This fixed 5-year award allows outstanding academics to work at a professorial level based at a higher education institution, in partnership with an NHS organisation or another provider of health, public health and/or care services.

Academy of Medical Sciences: Voice of biomedical and health research in the UK, supports researchers through grant schemes and career development opportunities.

Other funding opportunities

Local

  • Cambridge Enterprise useful list of external funding sources for early stage ideas.
  • Clinical Academic Careers East Health Education England (HEE) funded Pre-Masters Internship & Pre-Doctoral Bridging Programme for EOE.
  • Functional Genomic Screening Laboratory relevant to UK-based academics, small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and pharma who have complex human in vitro models, such as organoids, co-culture models, etc., amenable to arrayed CRISPR screening.
  • Growth Works 50% match funding for high growth businesses to continue growing such as EdgeAI sensor technology. They also offer support to start ups. Local to Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
  • Health Innovation East funded by the NHS and the Office for Life Sciences and offering help to commercialise ideas, facilitate partnerships and link with entrepreneurship schemes.

National

  • ABSW Media Fellowships An opportunity for practising scientists, clinicians, and engineers to spend 2-6 weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian, BBC Science Unit or the Londonist.
  • Daphne Jackson Trust support returners across all areas of research. They provide the retraining and mentorship needed to successfully return to research after a career break of 2 years or more taken for family, caring or health reasons.
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. Details of the programme opens 3 times a year.
  • Equipment Sharing Fund The Equipment Sharing Fund allows researchers, PhD students and Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) to access cutting-edge research equipment, not available in their home institution.
  • The Evelyn Trust Medical Research Grants The Evelyn Trust supports medical research and health and wellbeing projects in Cambridgeshire, with grants of up to £250,00. Grants usually invted in April each year.
  • LifeArc Philanthropic Fund providing grants and funding to academic researchers working to advance new treatments and diagnostics for rare diseases.
  • The British Academy distributes funding to support UK and international academic research, career development and wider engagement across the humanities and social sciences.
  • The Royal Society Fellowship and Professorship funding.
  • The Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grants, Scholarship, Fellowship and Professorship funding. 
  • The Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship support for those on the clinical training pathway and those working in basic biomedical research.
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship funding with some awards and prizes.
  • The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) website with a list of charities that support Cardiovascular Researchers at all stages of their career.
  • The Alan Turing Institute. Research calls, seed funding, and theTuring Fellowship.
  • Wellcome Trust funding opportunities for Collaborative/team research, Fellowship/personal support, PhD/Masters qualifications, Seed/starter grants, and Undergraduate scholarships.

International

  • Cambridge Trust is a charity established with the sole purpose of providing support to students to enable them to benefit from the educational and research opportunities offered at the University of Cambridge.
  • Churchill scholarship funds 18 scholarships per year, comprised of 16 Churchill Scholarships in science, mathematics, and engineering, and two Kanders Churchill Scholarships in science policy.
  • European Innovation Council (EIC) 
  • European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) fellowship, grants and career and conference support.
  • European Research Council (ERC) various grants available including Early careers, Advanced, Proof of concept and Synergy grants.
  • Gates Cambridge Postgraduate scholarships at the University of Cambridge.
  • Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) postdoctoral fellowships encourage early career scientists to broaden their research skills by moving into new areas of study while working in a new country.
  • Horizon Europe Horizon Europe Work Programme. (Cambridge University staff point of contact ercgrants@admin.cam.ac.uk). 
  • International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU)  Early-Career Collaboration Grants.