Funding opportunities

This page lists current funding opportunities offered by societies, associations and organisations, that may be of interest to researchers studying COVID-19 vaccines.  

If you would like to advertise a funding opportunity on this page, please contact us.

Funding opportunities are removed once the application deadline has passed.

 

Medical Research Council workshop on proactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccinology funding opportunity

*The MRC has extended its deadline for applications to attend this workshop until Friday 9 September.*

This is a free workshop where researchers will hear about a new opportunity to apply for funding in proactive vaccinology, due to launch in Autumn 2022. 

Workshop details:  

Thursday 22 September, 11am to 2.30pm 

58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS 

Deadline to apply for a place: Friday 9 September 

More information here. Apply here. 

This new funding call will support research contributing to the development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines with broader and more durable efficacy, that can block the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. The available budget for the opportunity is £16 million. 

The funding will support two new consortia for five years. These will focus on complementary themes that reflect critical knowledge gaps that are currently inhibiting the development of next-generation vaccines: 

  1. Fundamental virology: drivers and impact of variant emergence. 
  2. Underpinning immunology to support vaccinology. 

The workshop, to be held at MRC’s London offices, is intended to provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss ideas, identify potential consortia partners, and hear more about the scope, timeline and expectations for the upcoming call. 

Interested researchers who are eligible for MRC funding should complete the registration survey. The deadline to apply for a place on the workshop is 9 September.  

Information on the call will also be available on the UK Research and Innovation website after the workshop. 

Any queries should be directed to vaccinology2@mrc.ukri.org  

Expression of interest: emergency route for time-critical COVID-19 research

This is a rarely awarded emergency route for exceptional circumstances. Apply for funding to support short term time-sensitive collection of data or samples or rapid turn-around research or analysis to either:

  • inform urgent policy or national decision making
  • secure data for future research use.

All activities funded through this route must not overlap with UKRI’s portfolio of funded research.

To apply you must be able to meet strict criteria, including, but not limited to:

  • demonstrating how this proposed activity does not overlap with UKRI’s existing portfolio
  • demonstrating the time-critical nature of the research or data/sample collection
  • demonstrating a clear and rapid route to impact through existing partnerships
  • showing how a normal grant timeframe is unsuitable
  • justifying why you did not apply through any of the previously available UKRI COVID-19 funding schemes
  • having a clear plan to take this research forward including, if necessary, using normal grant routes.

Support can be available for projects lasting 3 to 6 months. Applicants must be based at research organisations eligible for UKRI funding. Business-led proposals are not eligible for this funding. Full applications for funding will only be invited at the discretion of the appropriate research council. Resubmissions of rejected applications are not permitted.

Closing date: None (ongoing)

Source: UKRI

External link: More information 

Applied global health research: improve health in LMICs

Apply for funding for applied global health research that will benefit the health of people living in low and middle income countries (LMICs). We particularly welcome proposals that combine expertise from more than one sector to meet a global health challenge. There is no limit to the amount of funding you can apply for. You can submit a proposal of any size, from a small seed-funding proposal to a large-scale programme grant.

You can apply if you are:

  • an LMIC-based principal investigator
  • a UK-based principal investigator working in partnership with LMIC investigators.

Closing date: TBC

Source: Medical Research Council

External link: More information

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine grants

Given the urgency and complexity of efforts required to respond to the global pandemic, Pfizer is launching its COVID-19 vaccine grant program in phases. The following areas of research will be considered:

  • Studies evaluating COVID-19 burden of disease and sero-epidemiological surveys among specific populations.
  • Epidemiology studies evaluating direct & indirect impact, including modeling approaches, of Pfizer’s vaccine particularly in specific patient populations.
  • Studies measuring the impact of efforts to overcome vaccine hesitancy and enhance vaccine uptake.

Closing date: TBC

Source: Pfizer

External link: More information