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Funding

Get in touch for more information or for support in applying for funding opportunities. 

Funding Opportunities

 

AstraZeneca-Funded Non-Clinical PhD studentships (2026 intake) now open

Remit: The aim of this programme is to fund 4year Non-Clinical PhD studentships at the University of Cambridge (UoC) for talented graduates in research areas which align with the strategic interests of AstraZeneca (AZ). The three broad areas of research interests are:

  • Innovative Technologies and Platforms 
  • Novel Biological and Chemistry Research 
  • Science, Data and Technology

The call for submitting partnership requests is now open on our CATS website , while the application form for submitting collaborative proposals for this program will be available to download from Monday, 28th April 2025.

Eligibility and Criteria: Principal Investigators employed by the University of Cambridge and AstraZeneca are eligible to apply in partnership. Individual investigators applying without an AstraZeneca / Cambridge partner must be willing to collaborate with a co-investigator from the partner organisation. The programme management team can assist with the identification of a suitable partner. All applications should be submitted as a partnership between identified Principal investigators employed by the UoC and AZ. The University of Cambridge Principal Investigator will be the lead investigator for this studentship should it be awarded. Support for the proposal will be required from the relevant University of Cambridge Head of Department prior to submission.   

Funding: Each funded studentship covers

  • Student stipend for 4 years
  • Combined fees for Home student only for 4 years  
  • Project consumable budget up to £33,000 for 4 years  
  • Travel and subsistence for the student up to £5000 for 4 years  

Please note, the AstraZeneca funded non-clinical studentship program covers academic fees for UK/home students only. Any additional funding required for the recruitment of overseas students will not be covered and will have to be met by the University department or other sources.

Note: You will find more information regarding the studentship on our CATS webpage.

NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme

Multiple Deadlines

The NIHR i4i Programme is a translational research funding scheme aimed at medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and digital health technologies addressing an existing or emerging health or social care need.

The latest funding opportunities for Invention for Innovation are:
  • Transformative and disruptive innovations to reduce waiting lists and waiting times - Deadline: 7 May 2025
  • i4i THRIVE (Translate Healthcare Research through InnoVation and Entrepreneurship) - Deadline: 16 May 2025
  • Product Development Awards - Deadline: 28 May 2025
For full details of the NIHR i4i Programme, click here.

Sanofi iAwards Europe

Call for pre-proposals is currently open!

The 2025 - 2026 Sanofi Innovation Awards scheme (Sanofi iAwards Europe) is a partnership program designed to support collaborations with academic investigators to accelerate innovative, disease-relevant, cutting-edge translational research in Sanofi’s areas of interest that can contribute to Sanofi’s early-stage pipeline and ultimately benefit patients. There will be the opportunity for successful projects to be taken forward for further funding and collaboration. Besides financial support, each pilot project will benefit from an access to Sanofi’s R&D expertise and guidance. Pre-proposals are invited for potential iAwards projects in the following therapeutic areas:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology & Inflammation
  • Vaccines
  • Genomic Medicine      
  • Rare & Neurological Diseases
  • Novel Methods in Target Identification
  • Target, Disease and Systems biology

Interested Principal Investigators at the University of Cambridge are welcomed to contact Juraj Rievaj, Senior Research Facilitator at CATS.

Translational Pump Priming Awards

Translational Pump Priming Awards allow researchers to access smaller agile funding with quick turnaround funding decisions. These awards will enable researchers to answer a particular question, validate data and provide sufficient evidence that would help them accelerate development of their innovation to the next stage on the translational pathway.

Please ensure you have read the information on this page before you start an application on BHF Grants Management System.

Who can apply

  • The principal investigator will be a researcher working in an established research institution in the UK. This includes post-doctoral researchers, heads of groups and fellows.
  • Individuals or teams from commercial organisations can apply as collaborators.  

Grant duration and maximum award

  • Awards of up to £50,000 are available for a maximum of 9 months.

How to apply

Translational Pump Priming awards operate a one-stage application process. 
Submit your application via BHF Grants Management System.
 
Applicants will be required submit a final report and a follow-on report one year after completing the award.

How will they assess your application 

Applications are internally triaged and reviewed by members of the Translational Awards Committee, who possess clinical, academic, or commercial expertise. 
Please allow approximately six weeks from submission to decision. Due to the agile nature of the award, no written feedback will be provided to applicants. 

Assessment criteria:

  • Potential to address an unmet clinical need
  • Evidence to support the proposed question and project activities
  • Strength and feasibility of the project
  • Potential impact of outputs and the likelihood of future success and/or investment

Application submission 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday 13th June 2025. Applications will re-open on Monday 8th September 2025.  
Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the result.

BHF reserves the right to change the deadline dates and close the scheme early. We recommend that you check their page on a regular basis to take note of any changes.

Please visit their website for more information on applying for this award - https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/pump-priming-awards

Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Catalyst Award

Open ended

Cancer Research UK is uniting all their drug discovery and commercialization activity to form Cancer Research Horizons. An integral part of Cancer Research Horizons is an exciting and ambitious approach to driving therapeutic innovation. The new organization will be home to over 200 drug discovery scientists and will use cutting-edge capabilities to tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs to help accelerate patient benefit.

To support this vision, the Therapeutic Catalyst Award is designed to kick-start exploratory drug discovery efforts in cancer, to validate and de-risk targets and technologies, and to position them for onward investment and progression. As a researcher, you can take your idea from bench to patients with a single funder and partner. Successful projects will receive up to £250,000 for up to 18 months. Informal enquiries can be directed to Matthew Farren and Neil Jones. 

Cambridge Academy of
Therapeutic Sciences

University of Cambridge

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Cambridge CB2 1RX

 

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