FUNDING CALLS
FUNDING CALLS
This page details various funding calls that are relevant for child health technology. Funding calls are updated on a monthly basis.
Funding calls are split into:
- Time-limited funding calls, with a set deadline
- Rolling funding calls, which are open all year round
- Fellowships and career development awards
The document below provides an overview of potential opportunities for funding and support that may be relevant. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all funding opportunities.
CLOSING DATE
MAXIMUM AMOUNT
MAXIMUM DURATION
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme Researcher-led (primary research and evidence synthesis)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
08 January 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The aim of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is to ensure that high quality research information on the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests are produced in the most efficient way for those who plan, provide or receive care from NHS and social care services. In this researcher-led workstream, separate grants are available for primary research and evidence synthesis on topics proposed by the researchers.
Research in Mental Health Nursing (HTA Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
08 January 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR is interested in funding high quality applied health and social care research to increase and improve the evidence base about mental health nursing and the mental health nursing workforce. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is accepting Stage 1 applications to this funding opportunity.
BBSRC Standard Research Grant: 2025 round 1: Responsive mode
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
15 January 2025
£2 million
5 years
This scheme supports excellent investigator-led research across the breadth of BBSRC scientific remit. You can apply to undertake biotechnology or biological research in microbes, humans, and tools and technology underpinning biological research.
Mindset extended reality (XR): Digital therapeutics for mental health
Innovate UK
15 January 2025
£300,000
18 months
The aim of this competition is to develop digital therapeutic extended reality (XR) solutions to provide mental healthcare services. These solutions will optimally be applied and trialled following an R&D cycle of between 12 to 18 months. Solutions must have the potential to be adopted at scale to form part of the UK’s formal mental healthcare ecosystem.
Design foundations round six
Innovate UK
15 January 2025
£80,000
6 months
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2 million for people centred and systemic design projects. These are across a range of themes and innovation areas to influence, inform and de-risk R&D activities.
Innovate UK Smart Grants: November 2024
Innovate UK
22 January 2025
See below
See below
The Innovate UK Smart grant has focused scope and eligibility criteria to support SMEs and their partners develop disruptive innovations with significant potential for rapid economic return to the UK. The application process reflects the importance of obtaining economic benefits from public funding, and the potential for successful commercialisation, growth, and exports.
- Projects of 6 to 18 months must have total eligible project costs between £100,000 and £500,000 and can be single or collaborative
- Projects of 19 to 24 months must have total eligible costs between £100,000 and £1 million and be collaborative
Collaborative R&D: Creative Catalyst
Innovate UK
29 January 2025
£200,000
9 months
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £2 million for projects that develop new innovative products and tools for the UK creative industry.
NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) 2024
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
29 January 2025
£16.3 million
5 years
The NIHR is launching a new open competition for infrastructure in applied health and care to designate and fund NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) in England. Eligible NHS organisations may submit one application for funding up to £16.3m over five years from 1 April 2026.
AHRC responsive mode: Catalyst Award: round six
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
30 January 2025
£300,000
5 years
Catalyst awards support researchers without prior experience of leading a significant research project to accelerate their trajectory as independent researchers, unlocking their potential and building leadership and convenor experience through the delivery of ambitious or complex projects.
AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award: round six
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
30 January 2025
£100,000
5 years
Curiosity awards support early-stage ambitious and novel fundamental research which has the potential to act as a springboard towards new and exciting research agendas. The funding opportunity celebrates the full diversity of the arts and humanities. It is flexible, and applications are welcomed from teams, networks, and solo researchers.
2024-25 strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) Grants: Stage 2
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
06 February 2025
Not stated
5 years
Apply for funding to undertake large team-based fundamental bioscience research projects which push the frontiers of human knowledge. The full economic cost of your project must be over £2 million.
Knowledge transfer partnership: 2024 to 2025 round five
Innovate UK
12 February 2025
£8,500
3 years
This call supports partnerships that help businesses to innovate, develop, grow and become more productive by employing academic expertise that they do not have in-house. Your project can focus on any type of innovation in any sector but it must aim to deliver results that your business would not otherwise be able to deliver.
Research for Patient Benefit – Competition 56
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
05 March 2025
£500,000
Not stated
The NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme is inviting stage 1 applications for research proposals that are concerned with the day-to-day practice of health service staff, and that have the potential to have an impact on the health or wellbeing of patients and users of the NHS.
Developmental pathway funding scheme: stage one
Medical Research Council (MRC)
19 March 2025
No limit
No limit
Apply for funding for an academically-led translational project that aims to improve prevention, diagnosis or treatment of significant health needs or develop research tools that increase the efficiency of developing interventions. You can apply for funding for work that includes, but is not limited to, novel medical devices, digital healthcare, app development, artificial intelligence, diagnostics, medical imaging technology, and surgical techniques or tools.
The effectiveness of technologies for people living with deafblindness in social care settings
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund research into effectiveness of technologies for people living with deafblindness in social care settings.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in children and young people receiving mechanical ventilation
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund research into selective decontamination of the digestive tract in children and young people receiving mechanical ventilation.
Ambitious data-enabled ‘e-trials’
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund research into ambitious data-enabled ‘e-trials’.
Improving outcomes for children and young people in care using interventions that combine mentoring with skills training: A feasibility study
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund a feasibility study into research to improve outcomes for children and young people in care using interventions that combine mentoring with skills training.
NIHR NICE Rolling Funding Opportunity (EME Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
08 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is accepting Outline Applications to this funding opportunity. The programme is interested in receiving applications to meet recommendations in research identified in NICE guidance that has been published or updated in the last 5 years.
Proposals must be within the remit of the EME Programme and the primary outcome measure must be health related.
NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships Rolling Funding Opportunity (EME Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
08 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is accepting Outline Applications to their commissioned workstream. The NIHR recognises the importance of the research priorities identified by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSP) and is interested in receiving high-quality applications which address them.
We are looking to receive applications for research studies addressing JLA PSPs’ research priorities, rather than to conduct a PSP itself.
EME Programme Researcher-led
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
08 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme supports translational research evaluating a wide range of novel or repurposed interventions and technologies. These may include but are not limited to diagnostic or prognostic tests and decision-making tools, drugs or biological compounds, behavioural therapies, medical devices, and public health initiatives delivered within the NHS.
Unstructured activities (play) for children and young people
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
25 April 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme is looking to fund research which evaluates interventions that work to increase and sustain unstructured activities (or play opportunities) for children and young people.
Mental Health Research Groups: Round 2
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
25 April 2025
£11 million
5 years
Applications are invited for Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) funding.
The NIHR is looking to establish, in total, up to ten NIHR Mental Health Research Groups (NIHR MHRGs) in geographical areas with high mental health (MH) burden, limited local research capacity and low recruitment into MH research studies. These will be partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) based in England with low/no mental health research capacity and close to areas with significant mental health support needs, and HEIs based in England with more experience and expertise in mental health research, who have a shared interest and vision.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT
MAXIMUM DURATION
BBSRC International Travel Award Scheme
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
£3,000
4 weeks
International travel awards are for BBSRC-supported researchers making visits to initiate or prepare proposals with international partners, visiting overseas facilities for up to one month or attending European consortia-building events.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Innovate UK
Not stated
3 years
This call supports partnerships that help businesses to innovate, develop, grow and become more productive by employing academic expertise that they do not have in-house. Your project can focus on any type of innovation in any sector but it must aim to deliver results that your business would not otherwise be able to deliver.
Daphne Jackson Fellowship
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Not stated
Not stated
These fellowships are for those looking to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons. The aim is to give participants the confidence and skills they need to make a successful return to research.
UKRI-SBE Lead Agency Opportunity
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
£1 million
Not stated
This opportunity allows UK and US-based researchers to submit a collaborative proposal that will go through a single review process. The goal is to reduce some of the barriers that researchers and funding agencies encounter when trying to work internationally. This opportunity does not represent a separate research funding scheme – applications will be integrated into existing programmes at the relevant lead agency.
Collaborate with Researchers in Brazil
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Not stated
Not stated
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support collaborative applications. It provides for a lead agency agreement whereby participant UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Brazil-based researchers from the state of São Paulo on behalf of both organisations.
Collaborate with Researchers in Norway
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Not stated
Not stated
Norway co-investigators can be included in UK-led applications and receive funding from participating UKRI councils following a Money Follows Cooperation agreement between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Research Council of Norway (RCN) to reduce barriers to cross-border collaboration.
Collaborate with Researchers in Luxembourg
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Not stated
Not stated
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to welcome and support collaborative applications. UKRI will receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Luxembourg applicants on behalf of both organisations.
EPSRC Programme Grant Outline Stage
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
6 years
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups seeking to address significant research challenges across the EPSRC remit. EPSRC expects successful applications to be collaborative and address key challenges across single or multiple disciplines. Programme grants are not solely large grants but are strategic in nature and should meet all of the key features described below.
EPSRC Standard Research Grant, November 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
Not stated
EPSRC fellowships are a prestigious individual award aimed at exceptional, ambitious and talented researchers and technical professionals who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research or technical development alongside personal and professional development. EPSRC fellowships present an accelerated pathway to progression and success on your career journey.
EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships December 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
3 years
EPSRC fellowships are a prestigious individual award aimed at exceptional, ambitious and talented researchers and technical professionals who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research or technical development alongside personal and professional development. EPSRC fellowships present an accelerated pathway to progression and success on your career journey.
EPSRC Open Fellowships December 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
5 years
EPSRC fellowships are a prestigious individual award aimed at ambitious and talented researchers, and technical professionals who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research. Successful fellowships can include elements of community engagement and advocacy, research leadership, and drive positive change in the research environment.
EPSRC Open Plus Fellowships December 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
5 years
EPSRC fellowships are a prestigious individual award aimed at exceptional, ambitious and talented researchers and technical professionals who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research or technical development alongside personal and professional development. The plus component will enable you to allocate 20% to 50% of your time spent on the fellowship to create positive change in the research community by championing a topic aligned to EPSRC aspirations to deliver improvements in research in topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion, responsible research and innovation or public engagement.
EPSRC New Investigator Award: November 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
3 years
New investigator awards should have a single research vision with clearly defined objectives and outcomes. Complex, multi-faceted research projects with many objectives are not appropriate to the new investigator award. You can apply for a new investigator award in any field of research relevant to the EPSRC remit, for example, artificial intelligence, engineering and healthcare technologies.
EPSRC Overseas Travel Grant: November 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
12 months
Overseas travel grants (OTGs) provide funding for visits overseas to learn new techniques, or form and develop collaborations in any field of research relevant to the EPSRC’s remit, for example, artificial intelligence, engineering and healthcare technologies.
EPSRC Discipline Hopping in ICT: November 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
24 months
This is an opportunity for ICT researchers to use their expertise in other disciplines, or for researchers from other fields to apply their expertise to ICT. You can apply for a discipline-hopping in ICT grant in any field of research relevant to the UKRI remit.
EPSRC Network Grant: November 2023: Responsive Mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Not stated
3 years
Network grants aim to develop new interdisciplinary research communities and topics by supporting interaction between researchers and relevant science, technology and industrial groups. EPSRC supports high quality research in any field of research relevant to their remit including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, engineering and healthcare technologies. EPSRC expects networks to lead to new collaborative multidisciplinary research applications in areas they support. Some may develop into virtual centres of excellence.
Knowledge Asset Grant Fund: Explore
Innovate UK
£250,000
18 months
The Knowledge Asset Grant Fund (KAGF) is run by the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) and funded by the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The aim of this competition is to support the identification and development of public sector knowledge assets, including repurposing, commercialisation or expanded use. There are 3 strands within this funding competition: Explore, Expand, Extend.
BBC Children In Need
BBC Children In Need
Not stated
Not stated
BBC Children In Need offer a range of funding opportunities to support the wellbeing of children and young people.
CLOSING DATE
MAXIMUM AMOUNT
MAXIMUM DURATION
Neurosciences and mental health: new investigator: responsive mode
Medical Research Council (MRC)
09 January 2025
No limit
3 years
Apply for funding to research neurosciences and mental health and take the next step towards becoming an independent researcher.
Population and systems medicine: new investigator: responsive mode
Medical Research Council (MRC)
09 January 2025
No limit
3 years
Apply for funding to research population and systems medicine and take the next step towards becoming an independent researcher.
Molecular and cellular medicine: new investigator: responsive mode
Medical Research Council (MRC)
09 January 2025
No limit
3 years
Apply for funding to research molecular and cellular medicine and take the next step towards becoming an independent researcher.
Clinician scientist fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC)
15 January 2025
No limit
5 years
Apply for support to become an independent researcher in a medical research field.
Postdoctoral clinical research training fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC)
15 January 2025
No limit
3 years
Apply for funding to reacquire research skills.
Predoctoral clinical research training fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC)
15 January 2025
No limit
3 years
Apply for funding to undertake a PhD.
BBSRC new investigator award: 2025 round one: responsive mode
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
15 January 2025
£2 million
5 years
The New Investigator scheme is designed primarily to assist newly employed university lecturers, researchers in research council institutes (at a level equivalent to lecturer), and fellows (at a level equivalent to lecturer) to secure their first major element of research support funding.
NIHR Advanced Fellowship Round 13
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
23 January 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Advanced Fellowship is a Postdoctoral Fellowship aimed at anyone with a PhD who hasn’t yet been appointed to a professorial post. The Advanced Fellowship supports individuals undertaking research in any scientific discipline or sector that can demonstrate a contribution to improving health and/or care.
New Generation Thinkers 2025
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
28 January 2025
n/a
n/a
This scheme offers five early career researchers the opportunity to be ‘researchers in residence’ where they will work with programme makers at BBC Radio 4 and produce a piece of writing to be recorded for radio.
If selected, you’ll also take part in learning and development opportunities with AHRC around working with the media, engaging the public with research and how to work with policy makers.
You’ll be an up-and-coming early career researcher with a passion for sharing ideas with the largest possible audience.
NIHR Global Health Research Cohort Academic Developmental Award – Round 4
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
13 February 2025
£30,000
Not stated
Through the NIHR Global Health Research Cohort Academic Development Award (GHR CADA) scheme, NIHR GHR Programme Training Leads/Programme Directors apply for up to £30,000 to deliver training and career development activities.
The scheme helps GHR programme cohorts, primarily focused in low and middle income countries (LMICs), to develop skills needed for a successful academic research career.
International Fellowships for PhD and Early Career Researchers 2025
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) – Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
13 March 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The International Fellowships for PhD and Early Career Researchers programme provides early career researchers, and AHRC-funded and ESRC-funded doctoral students, with inclusive and dedicated access to internationally renowned collections, programmes and expertise held at host institutions.
ESRC postdoctoral fellowships
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
25 March 2025
Not stated
12 months
The funding opportunity is open to applicants who have completed their PhD at a UK research organisation and who have less than 12 months of active postdoctoral experience from passing their viva voce to the competition closing date.
Career Development Award
Medical Research Council (MRC)
25 March 2025
No limit
5 years
You can apply for support to become an independent researcher, if your research focus is within Medical Research Council (MRC) remit to improve human health.
Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) Award Cohort 6
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
27 March 2025
£15,000
2 years
The Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) award is a postdoctoral level funding opportunity. It supports early to mid-career researchers who want to gain specific skills and experience to underpin the next phase of their research career.
2025 Academic Clinical Fellowships in Medicine
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
31 March 2025
Not stated
3 years
The NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) is a clinical specialty training post in medicine that incorporates academic training. The NIHR has allocated funding for 278 ACFs for recruitment in 2024/25, through the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme.
UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
18 June 2025
No limit
7 years
Funding to support an early career researcher or innovator who is looking to establish or transition to independence or who is developing their own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting.