Where to gain funding
There are many different ways to gain funding for your research in the UK. There are specialised councils operating in the UK that offer grants and fellowships. As well as Europe wide initiatives offering opportunities in various scientific fields. Plus some international opportunities.
UKRI and Research Councils
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK. UKRI brings together the seven disciplinary research councils. Plus, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK, with interests ranging from arts and humanities to particle physics.
UKRI provide funding to:
- researchers
- businesses
- universities, NHS bodies, charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other institutions.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds outstanding original research across the whole range of the arts and humanities.
The Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
The Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science.
The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) creates knowledge in engineering and physical sciences for UK capability to benefit society and the economy.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) funds research at the forefront of science to prevent illness, develop therapies and improve human health.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the driving force of investment in environmental science.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) mission is to deliver world-leading national and international research and innovation capabilities and, through those, discover the secrets of the Universe. Their research facilities across the UK and overseas support fundamental research in astronomy, physics, computational science and space science.
Innovate UK, part of UKRI, is the UK’s innovation agency. Their mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Research England is responsible for funding and engaging with English higher education providers, to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system in the higher education sector.
Learned Societies and Academies
Learned societies and academies promote research in specific subject areas through academic publications, funding opportunities, conferences and membership. Some also act as professional bodies by offering accreditation.
The Royal Society is the national academy of science for the UK and the Commonwealth, whose elected fellows are scientists, engineers and technologists.
The British Academy champions and supports the humanities and social sciences.
The Royal Academy of Engineering brings together the country’s most eminent engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in the science, art and practice of engineering.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland’s National Academy of Science & Letters, providing support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and arts and humanities.
The Academy of Medical Sciences aims to promote translation of biomedical research advances into benefits for people.
The Royal Geographical Society is the learned society and professional body for geography.
The British Science Association exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering in the UK.
The Edinburgh Geological Society aims to stimulate public interest in geology and the advancement of geological knowledge.
The Royal Astronomical Society is the UK's leading professional body for astronomy and astrophysics, geophysics, solar and solar-terrestrial physics, and planetary sciences.
The ZSL is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats, building capacity and skills through educational programmes, workshops, postgraduate courses and awards.
Charitable organisations
The UK charitable organisations below support research and education, particularly in the field of medical research. These NGOs, foundations and trusts offer private sources of funding, such as endowments from private benefactors or the commercial profits of companies set aside to support research.
AMRC represents the leading UK charities that fund medical and health research. It has a
searchable database of member organisations and provides information on specific
funding opportunities. It has over 100 member organisations, including Cancer
Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, and Parkinson’s UK.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the UK’s largest social policy research and
development, which seeks to understand and overcome the causes of social difficulties
through partnership with academic and other institutions.
The Leverhulme Trust supports research and education in all subject areas, with grants
and awards including visiting fellowships, early career development fellowships and
research project grants.
The Wellcome Trust fosters and promotes research with the aim of improving human
and animal health. A wide range of funding is available for biomedical science,
technological transfer, medical humanities and public engagement.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works to bring ‘innovations in health and learning
to the global community,’ providing financial support for international research in key
global health priority areas.
NESTA supports talent, innovation and creativity in the UK in order to improve the UK’s
capacity for innovation. NESTA runs competitions and prizes, and invests in promising
early-stage companies, as well as in shaping innovation policy and sharing best practice.
The UKCDS collaborative of UK funders with an interest in international development
research, with funding for the development sciences.
Professional bodies
A professional association or society in the UK is an organisation created by a Royal Charter to support a profession and ensure that professional standards are upheld. Many offer accreditation via membership which is required for the practice of certain professions, such as medicine. While these professional bodies all provide some type of support, they do not all necessarily provide funding.
The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers in England and Wales. It provides
representation and services for the Bar, and guidance on issues of professional practice.
The Biochemical Society is a learned society for biochemistry, including cellular & molecular biosciences, with Over 7000 members Worldwide.
The British Dental Association represents dentists in the UK.
The BMA represents UK doctors in all branches of medicine.
The British Psychological Society is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK.
The General Medical Council registers doctors to practice medicine in the UK. Its purpose is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.
The Society of Biology is the professional body for UK biologists.
IChemE is an international membership organization for people with an interest and
experience in chemical engineering.
The Institute of Physics is a scientific organisation devoted to increasing the
understanding and application of physics.
The IET represents the engineering and technology community.
The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales.
The Law Society of Scotland is the governing body for Scottish solicitors.
The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK.
The RCGPs is a professional membership body for UK family doctors.
The RSC is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences.
Download the Funding in the UK document to learn more about the institutions that could help start your research career in the UK.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
There are additional funding channels through the devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You can find further information on these here: UK Research Landscape
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the main source of European Funding. Horizon Europe is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever with more than €95.5 billion of funding available over 7 years (2021 to 2027). It is open to the world, which means that participants from all over the world can participate in most calls.
Funding opportunities under Horizon Europe
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
The European Research Council (ERC)
ERC publishes calls for applications from researchers at early, middle and advanced levels of independent research. These last for up to 5 years and are for any research field, including social sciences and the humanities.
Other European Funding
Other sources of European Funding
The European Science Foundation (ESF) is committed to facilitating co-operation and collaboration in European research, which it does through mechanisms such as supporting conferences, networks, workshops and programmes.
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) nurtures careers in the biosciences through courses, workshops, conferences, fellowships, and the Young Investigator Programme, which promotes Europe’s best young scientists early in their careers.
International Funding
International funding sources
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) supports novel, innovative and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms.
A clear emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring biologists together with scientists from fields such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and engineering to open new fields of investigation in the life sciences.
Research grants and fellowships are available from the post-doctoral level upwards, for young scientists of any nationality to work in the UK, other EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Switzerland or the USA.
The NATO Programme for Science for Peace and Security offers support for scientific collaboration in the priority research areas of threats to security, including terrorism and other country-specific priorities.
The World Universities Network (WUN) is an international alliance of leading higher-education institutions. It disperses support through an Annual Research Fund and runs a Research Mobility Programme to enable postgraduate and junior faculty to study overseas and establish links with WUN partners in Europe, the USA and China.
Santander Universities, Santander supports researcher mobility between participating institutions in South America, Asia and Europe, including to and from the UK. Grants include International Mobility Grants and National Mobility Grants, as well as funding for higher education and internships for undergraduates and graduates to gain experience with Small to Medium Enterprises.
The UK government has committed £337 million through the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) up to 2025. The funding will allow UK researchers and innovators to collaborate with international partners on multidisciplinary projects tackling the major themes of our time: Planet, Health, Tech, and Talent.
ISPF is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research bodies, including:
- Academy of Medical Sciences
- British Academy
- British Council
- Met Office
- National Physical Laboratory
- Royal Academy of Engineering
- Royal Society
- UK Research and Innovation
- UK Atomic Energy Authority
- Universities UK International
ISPF partner organisations will work with international partners to launch calls and promote their impact.
Funding opportunities are published on individual ISPF partner websites. Follow the links above to find out about open calls.