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
Research and Partnership Hubs for a Healthy Society
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
21 October 2025
£12.5 million
6 years
Apply for funding to establish a large-scale multidisciplinary research hub, drawing on expertise across the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and health research community, to support people to live healthier lives and prevent ill health. Proposals should address long term research challenges in the priority areas of prevention, early diagnosis and self-management of health.
Innovate UK innovation loans: round 23
Innovate UK
22 October 2025
£5 million
Not stated
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation is offering loans to micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Innovate UK innovation loans are for highly innovative late-stage research and development (R&D) projects with the best potential for the future. There must be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
Expressions of interest: artificial intelligence humanities sandpits: Canada, UK and US
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) – Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
30 October 2025
n/a
n/a
AHRC and SSHRC invite expressions of interest to attend a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design.
A sandpit is a facilitated workshop process through which new project teams and research propositions will be co-developed and funded.
Participants apply to attend the sandpit as individuals, and project proposals are generated during the workshops, not in advance.
DARE UK Real-World Research Exemplar Programme
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
05 November 2025
£594,384
12 months
Apply for funding as a real-world research exemplar to use, evaluate and influence emerging capabilities enabling research within and between trusted research environments (TREs).
Research for Patient Benefit – July 2025
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
05 November 2025
£500,000
3 years
The NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme is inviting outline 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.
Mental Health Award: Transforming early intervention for anxiety, depression and psychosis in young people – Foundation Phase
Wellcome Trust
11 November 2025
See below
See below
Funding for projects that robustly test the real-world effectiveness and assess implementation strategies of scalable transformative early interventions for anxiety, depression and psychosis in young people.
The award is structured in two phases:
- Foundation Phase (open to applications week commencing 28th July 2025): This phase will provide teams with £200,000 for 12 months to build their teams and develop a detailed research proposal.
- Impact Phase (open to applications February 2027): All funded teams from the Foundation Phase will be invited to apply. This phase will provide £5 million – £8 million for a period of up to 5 years (upper limits TBC).
Gap Fund for Early-Stage Development of New Healthcare Interventions
Medical Research Council (MRC)
12 November 2025
£300,000
18 months
Apply for funding to generate critical data that builds confidence in developing a new or repurposed medicine, medical device, diagnostic test, or other medical intervention.
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity Project Grant
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
17 November 2025
£50,000
Not stated
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is backing bold ideas to improve care for children and young people. Apply for up to £50,000 to support a research project before Monday 17th November.
Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme: Stage One
Medical Research Council (MRC)
19 November 2025
No limit
No limit
Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions.
BBSRC Pioneer Awards 2025 to 2026: Bioscience Discovery Research
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
19 November 2025
£350,000
2 years
Apply for funding to pursue early-stage bioscience discovery research.
Applications should open novel adventurous research avenues with the potential to transform our fundamental understanding of living systems.
Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP): Strands 1-3
Innovate UK
19 November 2025
See below
See below
UK NHS organisations can apply for a share of up to £85 million for Obesity Pathway Innovations. Funding for this competition is from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (£50 million) and Eli Lilly and Company Limited (£35 million).
This competition is split into three strands:
- Access and management service
- Care pathway services
- Combined access and management service and care pathway services
Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund (25BBR)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
25 November 2025
£2 million
5 years
Apply for funding to implement, improve or consolidate bioinformatics or biological resources in support of UK bioscience, helping to drive forwards progress in bioscience research and innovation.
What are the social and mental wellbeing benefits of intergenerational practices in care homes and schools?
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
27 November 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund research into the social and mental wellbeing benefits of intergenerational practices in care homes and schools. This is a social care-based topic.
Development Guidance for Better Research Methods
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 December 2025
£120,000
18 months
The NIHR Better Methods, Better Research (BMBR) Programme (a partnership co-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the NIHR) is looking to fund research into developing guidance on biomedical and health and social care research methodologies; there is an aim to understand how each methodology should be applied and to increase a focus on research in priority areas of methodological uncertainty.
EME Programme Researcher-Led
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 December 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is accepting outline applications to its researcher-led workstream.
NIHR NICE Rolling Funding Opportunity (EME Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 December 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is inviting outline applications to their commissioned workstream. They are interested in receiving applications to meet recommendations in research identified in NICE guidance that has been published or updated in the last 5 years.
NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships Rolling Funding Opportunity (EME Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
02 December 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme is inviting outline applications to their commissioned workstream. They are interested in receiving applications that address research priorities identified by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSP).
i4i Product Development Awards (PDA) – October 2025
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
03 December 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme is inviting outline applications to its Product Development Awards (PDA) funding opportunity.
This is a two-stage funding opportunity. To apply for the first stage you should submit an outline application. If invited to the second stage, you will then need to complete a full application.
Management of refractory chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis in children and young people
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
07 January 2026
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund research into the management of refractory chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis in children and young people.
Studies evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ambulance service led interventions
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
07 January 2026
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund studies evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ambulance service led interventions.
NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships rolling funding opportunity (HTA Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
07 January 2026
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (HTA) is inviting outline applications to its commissioned workstream. The NIHR is interested in receiving applications that address research priorities identified by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSP).
NIHR NICE rolling funding opportunity (HTA Programme)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
07 January 2026
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (HTA) is inviting outline applications via the commissioned workstream. The NIHR 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.
HTA researcher-led – primary research
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
07 January 2026
Not stated
Not stated
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is looking to fund primary research through their researcher-led workstream. They are interested in receiving proposals addressing any health problem in areas not otherwise well covered in the HTA Programme portfolio.
BBSRC standard research grant: 2026 round one: applicant-led mode
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
14 January 2026
£2 million
5 years
Apply for funding to support excellent investigator-led research across the breadth of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) scientific remit.
MRC Centre of Research Excellence: Round Four: Outline Application
Medical Research Council (MRC)
04 February 2026
£26.25 million
14 years
Apply for MRC Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) funding to tackle complex and interdisciplinary health challenges.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT
MAXIMUM DURATION
GOSH BRC Accelerating Novel Therapies: Statistics Support Fund 2025
NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR GOSH BRC)
£3,000
Not stated
This call provides an opportunity for early career researchers to pay for statistical support for paediatric translational projects and is open to any speciality/profession across GOSH, ICH and the PEI partners.
Each applicant can apply for up to £3,000 worth of statistics support to prepare a grant applications, outsource specific Data analysis or attend a highly specialised statistics training course.
This call has a deadline every 4 months: 01 April 2025, 01 July 2025, 01 October 2025, 01 January 2026
AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
£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.
AHRC responsive mode: Catalyst Award
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
£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.
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
NIHR Mentoring Programme
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
21 October 2025
Not stated
12 months
Elevate your career and make a difference through the NIHR Mentoring Programme! On the programme, mentees benefit from one-to-one support with their career development. By taking part, you will gain new perspectives and grow your professional network.
There are two streams for mentees:
- the early career researcher stream if you are a final-year PhD student or if you are up to 2 years postdoctoral
- the mid-career researcher stream if you are 2 years postdoctoral and beyond
There are two types of mentor:
- mid-career mentors who are 3 years postdoctoral
- research leader mentors who support mid-career researchers
NIHR Future Focused Leadership Programme – emerging research leaders stream
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
21 October 2025
Not stated
12 months
The Future-Focused Leadership Programme is a free 12-month programme which supports health and social care research leaders to enhance their leadership skills.
NIHR GOSH BRC Intermediate Fellowship for Wider Healthcare Professionals 2025
NIHR Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre (GOSH BRC)
31 October 2025
£150,000
18 months
The Intermediate Fellowship aims to support post-doctoral wider healthcare professionals working in child health research to make the next step in their research career and become clinical academic leaders of the future.
Applications are welcome from staff substantively employed by either GOSH, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UCL GOS ICH) or Paediatric Excellence Initiative partner sites (Alder Hey, Birmingham or Sheffield Children’s Hospitals) who are wider healthcare professionals, including nurses, AHPs, pharmacists, psychologists, healthcare scientists and any other appropriate clinical professional who is not a doctor or dentist and who is registered with an appropriate regulatory/professional body.
Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) Award Cohort 8
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
04 November 2025
Not stated
2 years
The 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.
Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10, Business and Non-academic
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
05 November 2025
£3 million
4-7 years
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million for ambitious research and innovation projects in any sector, and tailored support to develop careers for future leaders.
Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (Cohort 3)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
05 November 2025
Not stated
Not stated
The Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA) provides up to 5 years of funding for individuals at the postdoctoral level to engage in research activities.
AHRC Doctoral Focal Awards based at Leverhulme Research Centres
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
06 November 2025
Not stated
6 years
Apply for funding to support doctoral students through a doctoral focal award in the arts and humanities based at a Leverhulme Trust Research Centre.
Early Career Fellowships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions: 2025
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
06 November 2025
£312,500
2 years
Apply for funding to conduct research at cultural and heritage institutions.
You must:
- be an early career researcher
- hold a doctorate in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience and skills
- align with your proposed host’s interests
Short Placement Award for Research Collaboration (SPARC) Cohort 12
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
20 November 2025
£15,000
No limit
This award offers a unique opportunity to design and undertake a short, bespoke placement within a part of the NIHR. Tailored to your individual research training needs and background, the award aims to enhance your research career, skills, and professional network.
2026 Academic Clinical Fellowships in Medicine
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
31 March 2027
Not stated
3-4 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 2026/27, through the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme.