Sources of research funding from other major UK research funders

This page provides information about funders beyond the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), including research councils, professional bodies and charities. Click on the “Find out more” buttons to obtain latest information, including eligibility criteria.

Please note that RDS South Central cannot be held responsible for third party websites.

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MRC (Medical Research Council)

Alongside the NIHR, the MRC is the second main route through which the Government funds health-related research in the UK.  The MRC focuses on fundamental research that makes a difference to human health,  including broad initiatives such as speeding up the development of basic discoveries into new drugs and treatments.  A range of grants, calls, highlight notices, studentships and fellowships are available.

Medical Research Council (MRC) Research Grant Scheme

MRC Research Grants aim to stimulate collaborative, mutually beneficial research and partnership between industry and academia, and to enhance MRC fellows’ development as research leaders.

There is no financial cap on MRC Fellowship – Partnership Awards; however, they do not anticipate applications exceeding £200,000. (Applications close to or over this amount should be discussed with the MRC prior to submitting an application.)

Applications and advice forms are accepted and assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed every other month.

MRC Fellowship – Partnership Awards (for existing MRC fellows)

The MRC’s Fellowship – Partnership Awards aim to enhance MRC fellows’ development as research leaders.  The awards offer both financial and advisory support for existing MRC fellows.  They are one of several means offered by the MRC to deliver collaborative research and build sustainable industry-academic partnerships.

Applications and advice forms are accepted and assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed every other month.

ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) training bursaries

Each year the ESRC offers 50 bursaries of up to £1,000 each to enable social scientists engaged in research, teaching research methods or supervising research to update their research skills. Also open to contract university researchers.  Applications can be submitted at any time.

Wellcome Trust

Funds biomedical and medical humanities research to improve human/animal health. Wide variety of funding schemes available, including Investigator Awards, fellowships and Strategic Awards. Areas include  biomedical science, technology transfer, international research, public  engagement, medical history and humanities and ethics and society.

Health Innovation Challenge Fund

Offered in partnership between the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health, this  translational funding scheme is designed to accelerate the clinical application of projects that are well advanced along the development pathway.