Funding Opportunities: 

AI

We are interested in funding high quality applied health and social care research to increase and improve the evidence base about early action and prevention with health and social care services. Innovation that could facilitate a marked change in how we deal with complex health issues.

We are looking to fund research which has the potential to inform prevention services at a national level, and therefore local or regional evaluations are unlikely to be fundable. Similarly, evaluations focused on emerging technologies will require evidence of readiness for research on large-scale service delivery, including the published evidence base. All research should consider health and/or social care inequalities, or research focusing on how reducing inequalities can be integrated into prevention services. Alongside this, increasing access to neighbourhood health and social care services, moving care from hospitals into the community, and/or avoiding hospital admissions in the context of prevention are of particular interest to HSDR.

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The NIHR Decarbonising the Health and Social Care System fund supports UK research that reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainability in health and social care. With £25 million available over five years, it backs projects developing or evaluating innovations, service models, or care pathways that advance net zero goals and can inform policy and practice. Open to UK-based researchers and organisations, the programme encourages collaboration with SMEs, charities, and local authorities to deliver practical, scalable solutions.

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This award supports long-term, coordinated research programmes that aim to transform the early detection and diagnosis of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. It is open to scientists, clinicians, and healthcare workers based at UK universities, hospitals, or research institutions, with SMEs able to participate as collaborators but not lead the award. Funding of up to £2.5 million is available for programmes lasting up to five years, supporting staff, running costs, and equipment. Applicants must contact Cancer Research UK at least one month before applying to confirm eligibility, with proposals expected to demonstrate clear clinical or population impact and, where relevant, address inequalities in early detection and diagnosis.

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This funding supports innovative research projects focused on the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, with the aim of enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. UK research organisations such as universities, NHS trusts, or research institutes must lead applications, while SMEs can participate as collaborators by providing relevant technology, expertise, or services. Projects are fully funded, with no requirement for match funding, and are assessed through a two-stage application process based on scientific quality, feasibility, and potential impact. Proposals must align with Cancer Research UK’s strategy and demonstrate a clear pathway to clinical or screening translation.

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This award supports small, focused research projects that generate preliminary data, test feasibility, or develop early proof of concept for ideas related to the early detection or diagnosis of cancer. Applications must be led by a researcher at a UK research organisation, with SMEs or other non-academic partners able to contribute if their role strengthens the project. Funding covers pilot studies, early proof-of-concept work, and new research directions, but not large-scale clinical trials or projects outside the scope of early detection. The scheme aims to build foundational evidence that supports future, larger research awards, with a five-year rolling success rate of 42%.

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The Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst award supports projects that accelerate the development of new therapies for childhood cancers by generating key proof-of-concept or mechanism data. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, with SMEs and industry partners able to collaborate by providing expertise, technology, or development capabilities. Funded projects may include the development or optimisation of therapeutic candidates and preclinical studies to demonstrate potential, aiming to support future translational funding or investment. Proposals must focus on therapeutic innovation rather than basic science and have a clear pathway toward further development and clinical translation.

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This award supports mid-career researchers in developing independent cancer research programmes that build a foundation for future leadership and larger funding opportunities. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, with SMEs and industry partners able to contribute as collaborators providing expertise, technology, or services. Funding of up to £1.5 million is available for around six years, covering research staff, running costs, and essential equipment, with projects addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology. Proposals are assessed through a two-stage process and interviews, focusing on scientific excellence, innovation, and alignment with Cancer Research UK’s strategy, while collaborative contributions must be clearly described.

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This award supports mid-career researchers in developing independent cancer research programmes that build a foundation for future leadership and larger funding opportunities. Applications must be led by a UK-based researcher at a recognised research organisation, while SMEs and industry partners can collaborate by providing technology, expertise, or services that strengthen the project. Funding of up to £1.5 million over six years is available to support research staff, running costs, and essential equipment, with projects addressing fundamental questions in cancer biology. Proposals are assessed through a two-stage process and interview, focusing on scientific excellence, innovation, and alignment with Cancer Research UK’s strategy, with collaborative contributions clearly defined.

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Eurogia2030 is a EUREKA Cluster programme supporting international collaborative R&D and innovation projects in low-carbon energy and related technologies that contribute to climate neutrality and sustainable growth. Projects must involve at least two companies from different participating countries, with SMEs, large companies, and research organisations all eligible subject to national funding rules. Funding is provided through non-repayable national grants, with rates and conditions varying by country and partner type, and each participant must secure support from their own national agency. The programme uses a two-stage application process and prioritises applied research and near-market projects with clear international collaboration and market or societal impact.

The Therapeutic Catalyst award supports projects that accelerate the development of novel cancer therapies by generating key proof-of-concept or mechanism data to de-risk early-stage approaches. Applications must be led by a researcher at a UK research organisation, while SMEs and industry partners can participate as collaborators, providing expertise, technology, or development capabilities. Funding covers eligible project costs in full for medium-term projects, typically two to three years, and is intended to position the therapy concept for further translational funding or commercial investment. Collaborative proposals are encouraged, with the aim of producing decisive data that strengthens the pathway towards effective cancer treatments.

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This funding opportunity supports high-quality applied health and social care research focused on early action, prevention, and reducing inequalities at a national level. It aims to generate evidence that improves prevention services, enhances access to community-based care, and reduces hospital admissions. Research should address preventative strategies, early diagnosis, and interventions for those at risk of long-term conditions, demonstrating clear national impact and relevance to the NHS and social care. Areas of interest include improving prevention pathways, integrating preventative approaches, using data to deliver proactive support, and evaluating innovative service models or technologies. There are no specific eligibility restrictions for applicants.

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This call, opening on 23 April 2026, aims to accelerate research, innovation, and market uptake of sustainable and circular bio-based solutions across Europe in line with EU Green Deal and bioeconomy priorities. It seeks high-impact, collaborative projects addressing pre-defined topics across the bio-based value chain, from mid-TRL research to large-scale industrial implementation, with clear environmental and scalability benefits. Up to €170.7 million is available in 2026 to support research and innovation actions, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions under the Horizon Europe and CBE JU framework. Eligible applicants include a wide range of European organisations, with consortia required to meet Horizon Europe eligibility rules.

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The Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) Open Call, run by EIT Urban Mobility, funds the development and delivery of professional training and learning services that address urban mobility knowledge gaps and support more liveable cities. It is open to a wide range of organisations across EU Member States and Horizon Europe–associated countries, with projects eligible for up to €700,000 in funding over a maximum of 35 months. Proposals should align with the strategic objectives of the EIT Urban Mobility Academy and demonstrate impact, scalability, and financial sustainability. The call supports a broad range of training-related activities, from course development and commercialisation to scaling successful programmes and providing operational support services.