General resources
Research professional is a searchable online database which provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on funding opportunities, pre-screened for the eligibility of UK applicants and institutions. It is very easy to create customised searches, and to set up weekly email alerts to receive news of new calls. Research Professional is free to anyone with a cam.ac.uk address, and people accessing the site from within the University are logged in automatically.
Research operations office provides help and advice with funding bids and support in co-ordinating large funding applications. The office is organised by Scholl and roles and contact details of staff for each school are on the website.
Research Funding Toolkit has a great selection of useful resources for writing funding applications.
Sources of funding:
Arthritis Research UK: Aims to prevent the onset of arthritis, develop a cure for arthritis and to transform the lives of those with arthritis. From 2015–2020 the five-year strategic focus of the charity is to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis so that they can say, “I am in control, independent and recognised” There are several types of grant: programme, project, health services and fellowships.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRSC) – support around 1600 scientists and 2000 research students in universities and institutes across the UK. Funding
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): The main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing more than £800 million a year in a broad range of subjects – from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. Current calls for funding
European Research Council (ERC) : Aimed at major research projects led by researchers with an extremely well-established profile in their field. Excellent researchers who are looking for funding to develop a new project but are at an earlier stage in their careers have the option of applying for one of the ERC’s Starting Grants. Applicants’ proposals can be in any area of ‘frontier research’ and researchers who have between 2 and 12 years postdoctoral experience may apply. The ERC has introduced a Consolidator Grant for researchers with between 7-12 years of postdoctoral experience. More senior researchers can also avail of the Advanced Investigator Grants.
Medical Research Council (MRC) : Funds research across the biomedical spectrum, from fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, and in all major disease areas. MRC is a non-departmental public body funded through the government’s science and research budget, investing in research on behalf of the UK tax payer. Funding decisions are made by research boards and a number of panels, after the proposals they receive have been assessed by external reviewers. Browse funding opportunities
Wellcome Trust – Supports basic scientists, clinicians (including clinical psychologists, dentists and veterinarians) and public health researchers at all stages of their research career. Where appropriate, applications are encouraged from candidates trained in disciplines outside the biomedical sciences, but who are applying their expertise to biomedical problems. Biomedical Sciences awards; Innovations awards