Secure Translational Funding
The Translational Research Office (TRO) manage a number of devolved funding streams targeting early stage proof-of-concept projects and have extensive knowledge of the UK translational funding landscape. We can help source the most appropriate funding scheme for projects and ensure that the most compelling cases for support are generated. Securing funding enables projects to progress along the translational path, de-risking future investment.
KEY ACTIVITIES
The TRO administrate translational proof-of-concept funding through the Medical and Life Sciences Translation Fund (MLSTF). The fund is open to all University of Oxford researchers and provides consolidated internal proof of concept funding for translational medical and life sciences projects.
The TRO is excited to announce the return of the Diagnostics in Tropical and Infectious Diseases funding call, building on from the successful piloting last year. The availability of funds, recently awarded by Wellcome, supports early-stage translational research activity within the Oxford community.
The TRO also identify the most appropriate external grant funding source for a project. A few of the translational research funding schemes available to researchers are:
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British Heart Foundation Translational Award |
3rd June 2025 - Stage 1 |
£750,000 |
Translational Awards aim to progress the development of novel, innovative technologies towards benefits to human cardiovascular health. The scheme supports the development of technologies with transformative potential from the proof-of-concept stage to being ready for the commercial market. Proposals are expected to demonstrate a strong intellectual property position and a development proposition that could attract follow-on investment. |
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28 May 2025 at 1:00 pm |
No limit, 36 months |
The i4i Product Development Awards supports collaborative research and development of medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for use in the NHS or social care systems. PDA are researcher-led and support early product development and real-world evaluation. The expected focus of a project funded by PDA is one or more of the following:
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Small molecule high throughput screen using AstraZeneca facilities
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9 September 2025 4:00pm |
£270,000 |
The small molecule HTS using AstraZeneca facilities funding opportunity aims to support academic researchers in discovering potential starting points for small molecule medicinal drugs. Academic researchers will benefit from unprecedented access to over two million molecules in AstraZeneca’s compound library, as well as its state-of-the-art high-throughput screening facilities. Medical Research Council will provide funding to support up to four projects per year. As capacity is limited, projects will be prioritised for funding and for time slots within the facility. The timeframe for commencement of the studies will vary, although the expectation is within six months of the funding decision. |
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Pre-announcement: Gap fund for early-stage development of new healthcare interventions
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TBC |
£50,000 - £300,000 |
The gap fund funding opportunity will be re-launched in April or May 2025. You can apply for academically led translational projects that aim to undertake a focused package of work that will bridge the gap between the inception of a new idea and substantive funding through schemes such as the MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) to:
All human diseases and medical interventions are eligible for support, both in the context of UK healthcare and addressing global health issues. |
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16 May 2025 at 1:00 pm |
Up to £150,000 over 9 months |
THRIVE is aimed at academic and clinical entrepreneurs with innovations at prototype development level (Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3)) and above to ensure that the product is advanced enough to test the market need and build a commercialisation strategy and benefit from the training by applying the ideas and frameworks to an innovation ready for translation. THRIVE supports the development of the technology and a structured programme of entrepreneurial training, mentoring, peer support and networking. Through the programme the innovators will explore the market for their innovation and identify potential routes for commercialising (spin-out vs licensing) or sustaining their innovation (Intrapreneurship)
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MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme: Stage One
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16 July 2025 4:00pm |
There is no limit on the amount of funding you can apply for, but it should be appropriate to the project. There is no limit to the duration of your project. You should justify the timescale of the project in the context of the proposed work. |
Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions. You can apply for academically-led translational projects that aim to either:
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MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme: Stage Two
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There is no limit on the amount of funding you can apply for, but it should be appropriate to the project. There is no limit to the duration of your project. You should justify the timescale of the project in the context of the proposed work. |
Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions. You can apply for academically-led translational projects that aim to either:
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Cancer Research Horizons Seed Fund |
Rolling deadline |
£50k to £100-£500k, with ability to invest up to £1m on occasion. |
Early-stage validation, pre-seed, seed, and follow-on capital available. Contact: Gillian.Shuttleworth@cancer.org.uk |
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Cancer Research Horizons Data Innovation Awards |
Rolling deadline |
<£75k, <12 months |
Funding to support cleaning, annotation, curation, linking or storage of CRUK-funded data that has significant commercial potential. Contact: Gillian.Shuttleworth@cancer.org.uk |
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Cancer Research Horizons Entrepreneurial Programme |
Various (please check website) |
£10k to £70k |
Training opportunities to learn how to pitch your idea, build a business and attract investment. Early market discovery, accelerator, and startup funding available. Contact: Gillian.Shuttleworth@cancer.org.uk |
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Cancer Research Horizons Project Development Fund |
Rolling deadline |
<£50K (£50K + applications considered if strong rationale),<12 months |
To bridge a gap to get your project to the next stage. Proposal should have a clearly defined endpoint that is achievable in the short to medium term). CRUK-funding is a prerequisite and proposals must be consistent with Cancer Research Horizon's vision and purpose. Contact: Gillian.Shuttleworth@cancer.org.uk |
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Therapeutic Catalyst - Cancer Research UK
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Open until awarded. |
£250k 18 months |
Up to £250k for projects lasting up to 18 months. Drug discovery proposals, including, but not limited to: - Deconvolution and validation of novel targets and pathways with clear therapeutic potential - Novel therapeutic approaches to validated targets - Development of platforms, assays and screens to identify novel cancer therapeutics or targets. |
The TRO supports developing robust project plans and compelling applications for funding. Our Translational Research Managers can support grant writing activities, provide project management support and advise on long-term translational research strategies.
The TRO works closely with Oxford University Innovation (OUI), the Medical Sciences Business Partnerships Office (BPO) and University of Oxford's Research Services (RS) to ensure appropriate expertise and advice is sought at key stages in project development.