Funding opportunities

Catalyst funding for pump-priming projects is available to support collaborations between BactiVac Network members in bacterial vaccinology to explore new approaches and strategies to advance their vaccines in partnership with LMICs and industry, and acquire the data to support substantive funding applications.

The catalyst funds are flexible, typically up to £50,000 and expect to provide deliverables within 6 months post-award. Projects for this round of funding must focus on pathogens with outbreak potential and priority will be given to projects that also:

• Facilitate onward progression of bacterial vaccines along the pipeline to licensure
• Offer robust solutions to overcome the difficult preclinical to clinical transition
• Involve BactiVac partnerships, particularly new partnerships, with a long-term work plan
• Include LMICs and/or industrial partners
• Demonstrate a clear pathway to impact
• Have realistic plans in place to demonstrate intellectual property (IP) has been considered
• Include plans for achieving further substantive funding at the end of the project

Applicants will need to be members of the Network to be eligible to apply.

Versus Arthritis are offering up to £750,000 to support excellent mid-career researchers in the field of arthritis and related musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders for five years. In total, they will invest around £3 million in their Career Development Fellowships.

Versus Arthritis is committed to strengthening the future of arthritis research by supporting research careers and building skills within the UK arthritis research community.  

Their enhanced Career Development Fellowships aim to attract and retain talented medical, veterinary, nurse and allied health professional or science graduates committed to a research career in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases.

They aim to build the capacity and numbers of researchers in mid-career stages by supporting talented researchers, providing them with the opportunity to develop an independent research career and progress towards higher-level appointments.

Applicants must be able to show: 

• A PhD (or equivalent).  
• That their skills and experience match those of the transition to an independent career stage. 
• How a fellowship will help them move to the next level in their career. 
• A commitment from their host institution towards supporting their future career trajectory. 

The overall costs can include funding for additional research staff such as a PhD student, research technician or research assistant who can support their research. 

The Fellowship can be held on a part-time basis. 

This scheme will support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage. The funding can be used for research or research-adjacent activities, such as training, secondments, and networking.

Background and experience

The lead applicant must:

• Self-identify as being from a: 
  • Black heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Black African; Black Caribbean; Black Other; Mixed background (must include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).
  • Bangladeshi heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Bangladeshi Other; Mixed background (must include Bangladeshi backgrounds). 
  • Pakistani heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Pakistani Other; Mixed background (must include Pakistani backgrounds). 
• Currently be working in or ordinarily resident in the UK. 
• Have completed a substantive period of research training relevant to their discipline; you must have a PhD or equivalent higher research degree. If you have studied for a PhD then you must have completed your viva. You should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of research methodology and evidence of project delivery and analysis.

Next application deadline: 18 June 2024

Sanger Excellence Fellowships are three-year fellowships aimed at people from Black heritage backgrounds. 

They are designed for Black early career researchers to develop their portfolio of research experience and thrive in the field of UK genomics science. 

The programme offers mentorship, training and sponsorship and have a pay scale of £38,000-£49,156 in 2024 with additional funding for research consumables and conferences and training attendance. 

Candidates are invited to submit an Expression of Interest. 

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has a wide variety of funding opportunities for researchers at all career levels. 

All the British Medical Association (BMA) Foundation grants have National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) partnership status.

A variety of fellowships, career development awards and research grants opportunities offered by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) offers a variety of funding opportunities focusing on numerous different areas of research.