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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Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar Award |
10 March 2025 |
Guaranteed grant award of £100,000 for UK-based awardees Opportunity to compete for acceleration funds up to £250,000 Projects to initially last up to 1 year |
Eligibility: MD or PhD (or equivalent) researchers at accredited academic medical centers, research institutions and universities in the UK, US, and Canada. The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre invites you to apply for the 2025 Rare Disease Scholar Award. Proposals of interest include novel approaches to treat rare diseases with an emphasis on neurological disorders, developmental and metabolic disorders, and rare cancers. Other rare genetic indications with high unmet need are also of interest. Any therapeutic modality will be considered. Up to 10 Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholars will be selected to receive:
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MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme: Stage One
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19 March 2025 |
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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5 March 2025 (invitation only) |
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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BBSRC Follow-on Fund: 2025 round one
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26 March 2025 4:00pm |
£100,000 - £800,000 For projects lasting up to 2 years |
Apply for Follow-on Funding (FoF) to bridge the gap between bioscience research and achieving economic and societal benefit. FoF applications must draw substantially on current or prior BBSRC funding. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. FoF awards aim to take ideas through to a stage where the route to practical application is clear. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £800,000. BBSRC will fund 80% of the FEC. FoF awards support defined programmes of work for up to two years. |
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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.