Apply for funding to undertake cutting-edge Metascience research into more effective ways of conducting and supporting research and development (R&D), including the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges of measuring research excellence.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
Open
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Coefficient Giving
Grant
£6,000,000
£350,000
12 February 2026
12 February 2026 9:00am UK time
23 April 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for a BBSRC fellowship to further your career through an independent research project.
You must:
be an early career researcher
hold a PhD qualification (or equivalent experience)
be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding
Open
Fellowship
£9,000,000
11 February 2026
11 February 2026 9:00am UK time
22 April 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to conduct research at participating cultural and heritage institutions. You must:
be an early career researcher
hold a doctorate in a relevant subject or have equivalent professional experience
Only applicants successful at the expression of interest stage may apply.
Open
Fellowship
£2,500,000
£312,500
4 February 2026
16 February 2026 9:00am UK time
11 June 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to run a high throughput screen (HTS) using AstraZeneca’s compound library and screening robots.
There are two funding opportunities per year that are open to all targets.
Open
Grant
£1,000,000
£270,000
30 January 2026
30 January 2026 9:00am UK time
9 September 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to establish an independent What Works Centre (WWC) for local employment support.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
Open
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Grant
£15,000,000
£14,000,000 - £15,000,000
27 January 2026
27 January 2026 9:00am UK time
19 May 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply to Follow-on Fund (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.
Open
Grant
£3,000,000
£100,000 - £800,000
27 January 2026
27 January 2026 9:00am UK time
31 March 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for an early independence fellowship if your research focus is within Medical Research Council (MRC) remit.
You must:
have a PhD or equivalent
show evidence of career consolidation and productivity
show clear plans for establishing your own research niche that enables a step-change towards independence
Open
Fellowship
15 January 2026
15 January 2026 9:00am UK time
21 April 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to reacquire research skills.
Your research can focus on any area of Medical Research Council (MRC)’s remit to improve human health.
You must:
be a registered healthcare professional
be a PhD graduate working outside of research, usually five or more years ago
show plans to pursue a research career
Open
Fellowship
15 January 2026
15 January 2026 9:00am UK time
8 April 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to undertake a PhD.
Your research can focus on any area of Medical Research Council (MRC)’s remit to improve human health.
You must:
be a registered healthcare professional
be at an appropriate point in your training to undertake a PhD
show plans to pursue a research career
Open
Fellowship
15 January 2026
15 January 2026 9:00am UK time
8 April 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for an early independence fellowship if your research focus is within Medical Research Council (MRC) remit.
You must:
be a registered healthcare professional
have a PhD or equivalent
show evidence of career consolidation and productivity
show clear plans for establishing your own research niche
Open
Fellowship
15 January 2026
15 January 2026 9:00am UK time
8 April 2026 4:00pm UK time