International Research Funding Circular – 25 April 2025

Please see the latest European and International research funding information, event and opportunity updates.

News

1. NEW: Revised MSCA Guidelines on Supervision Launch https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/about-msca/msca-guidelines-on-supervision

The European Commission has revised the MSCA Supervision Guidelines  and launched them during the annual conference of Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) on 22 March in Krakow, Poland.

The guidelines on supervision are designed to support researchers, supervisors, and institutions to ensure effective and enriching supervision throughout the duration of the MSCA research projects in a healthy research climate. The guidelines are in line with the European Charter for Researchers, and they are supported with an annex, which provides a collection of best practices to support individuals and institutions in implementing the MSCA Guidelines on Supervision.

Events

2. Free training and networking event for Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society

Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect are organising an event for UK entities who are planning to participate in the 2025 Horizon Europe Civil Security for Society Work Programme (Cluster 3). If anyone intends to participate, they are offering a free one-day training and networking event, that will be held in central London on 29th April 2025. The only criteria is that attendees must come with an idea of which call topic they are interested in.  Please do let jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk  know asap if you are interested and he will pass on details to the UK National Contact Point to arrange a registration link to be sent out.

3. REMINDER: Invitation to Host Institution Event for ERC Finance/Project Administrators from UK and Ireland, 24 June 2025 to 25 June 2025, Southampton University https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/invitation-to-host-institution-event-for-erc-finance-project-administrators-from-uk-and-ireland/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet&utm_campaign=latest-ukro-articles-4

The European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) together with the UK National Contact Point and the University of Southampton are pleased to invite financial administrators/managers of ERC projects in the United Kingdom and Ireland to their Grant Management event, which will take place 24 – 25 June 2025. A detailed agenda will be provided later – the event start time is 13.00h on the 24th and the end time is 17.00h on the 25th. Please note that, this event is only for ERC funded projects and not for ERC proposals funded under the UKRI-Guarantee.

4. European Commission webinar – All you need to know about 2-factor authentication (2FA) with EU Login, 29 April 2025, 09:00-11:00 https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event250429.htm

The European Commission will host a webinar on the two-factor authentication (2FA) for the EU log-in. 2FA will be introduced during 2025.

5. REMINDER: NE university info sessions on Horizon Europe 2025 consortia calls

Horizon Europe is the ambitious EU research & innovation framework programme for 2021-2027 with a budget of €95.5 billion. Horizon Europe clusters are thematic groupings within this programme, each addressing specific global challenges and EU policy aims. The 2025 work programme funding calls will be published in April 2025 with deadlines from September onward, with consortium from across multiple countries forming to write joint proposals.

 We welcome attendees from across the North East universities to join us to hear from (and ask questions of) several of the UK National Contact Points (NCPs), experts on Horizon Europe clusters, about the calls for:

Cluster 1, Health: 06 June 2025, 09:30-12:00 (in-person @Newcastle University), STB. G.006

Cluster 1 aims to promote healthier lifestyles, improve health environments, manage diseases, ensure high-quality healthcare access, leverage new health technologies, and foster a competitive health industry. We will be joined by the NCP Tristan Fancourt who will start with an overview of the recently published call topics and other Horizon Europe health opportunities such as the Cancer mission. In the second part of the session, successful awardees will discuss their experience with Q&A.

Cluster 3, Civil Security for Society: 01 May 2025, 14:00-15:00 (online only)

Cluster 3 focuses on addressing persistent security threats, including cybercrime, and managing natural and human-made disasters to enhance societal resilience. NCP Zale Johnson will walk us through the upcoming calls and advice on how to engage with relevant EU networks.

Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility: 16 May 2025, 13:00-15:00 (online only)

Cluster 5 aims to combat climate change by understanding its causes and impacts, and by making energy and transport sectors more efficient, sustainable, and resilient. You will hear expert advice on the forthcoming calls from all three NCPs for this large cluster including Cinzia Porcedda (climate), Conall McGinley (energy) and Louise Mothersole (mobility). In the second part of the session you will receive advice on proposal writing covering: a) How to read the topic; b) How to develop your proposal; c) How to submit your proposal.

 We look forward to you joining us, all welcome. Please register your attendance using this form: https://forms.office.com/e/jx9gAMeMSN

 Contact for questions: session on cluster 1 (sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk), cluster 3 (jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk) and cluster 5/proposal writing (carol.heatley@durham.ac.uk).

Cluster 1, Health Consortium Drop-In Session, Health: 06 June, 14:00-16:00, Stephenson Building STB.2.016.

These one-to-one 20 minute drop-in sessions are aimed at colleagues interested in applying for Cluster 1: Health consortium calls to discuss plans and considerations with UK National Contact Point for Health, Tristan Fancourt. Please register you attendance here:  https://forms.office.com/e/sviVgKVMYm and sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk will arrange a slot for you.

6. MCSA Doctoral Networks Open forum: 12-1pm on 15 May 2025

Location: Henry-Daysh Building, HDB.6.19 PGR Learning Lab, Level 6

An open forum to gather colleagues with an interest in MSCA Doctoral Networks to discuss prior experiences, questions, and hear the insights from an awardee and member of an evaluation panel. Please register your attendance: https://forms.office.com/e/EL00khjhNf

7. COST info session: Science without borders – Insights from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, Wednesday 7th May 08:30-11:00 (UK time) https://www.cost.eu/cost-events/joint-online-cost-info-session-austria-germany-switzerland-2025/

The COST National Coordinators from Austria, Germany and Switzerland are hosting an exclusive online event, where you will discover the opportunities of COST Actions. In this engaging session, you will not only receive key insights into the COST programme but also have the chance to interact and share your perspective. More information about the event can be found here.

8. Webinar on becoming an expert for Horizon Europe, 08:30-11:30 (UK time), Thursday 19th June 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event250619.htm

Becoming an expert evaluator in Horizon Europe provides a unique opportunity to improve your expertise on the programme, gain insights into the evaluation and monitoring process, and expand your network. In this webinar, you will learn about the programme, the experts’ role, and the diverse expertise sought across different areas. Gain insights into how to become an expert and use your unique skills to evaluate and monitor Horizon Europe proposals and projects. No need to register, the webinar will be live streamed.

 

9. Save the date – MSCA and CITIZENS Beneficiaries’ Day, 08:00 to 13:00 (UK time), Online Webinar, 17th June 2025https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/save-the-date-msca-and-citizens-beneficiaries-day/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet&utm_campaign=latest-ukro-articles-4

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) is pleased to announce a Beneficiaries’ Day. This event is a valuable opportunity for lessons learn on the implementation of the action during the first reporting period and to share best practices for effective project implementation.

10. Horizon Europe info days by European Commission (mostly online)

European related funding

 

11. NEW: Instruct-ERIC Launches Industry Co-Fund R&D Call https://instruct-eric.org/submit-call/2025-instruct-eric-industry-co-fund-rd-call

Instruct-ERIC has launched the Industry Co-Fund R&D Call to further develop the relationships between Instruct scientists/Centres and industrial partners. Potential activities include the development of processing software for structural biology techniques, the adaptation/optimisation of instruments for novel applications, the generation of proof-of-concept data in high-impact contexts, and solutions to current experimental issues affecting structural biologists. Up to two pilot projects may be funded up to a maximum of €30,000 each. Deadline: 23 September 2025.

 

12. NEW:  EPAA Launches 2025 Call for 3Rs Prize Recognising Excellence in Animal Testing Refinement https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/calls-expression-interest/epaa-refinement-prize-2025_en

The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) Awards recognise and promote outstanding work by individuals and teams deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the development and implementation of alternatives to animal testing. Two prizes are available, one for scientists (3Rs Science Prize) and one for laboratory technicians (3Rs Refinement Prize), which are both presented every other year. The 2025 call for submissions is for the 3Rs Refinement Prize. For the 3Rs Refinement Prize, the prize consists of a monetary award of €6,000. Deadline: 1 September 2025.

 

13. Fourth SNS JU Call to Open in May 2025 https://smart-networks.europa.eu/

For the fourth Call, a total of €104 million of funding is available across nine topics. Retained projects from this Call will support research and innovation activities through two complementary streams:

  1. Stream B: Advanced research for revolutionary and evolutionary technology advancements, including Topics on 6G Disruptive Technologies.
  2. Stream C: Development of a 6G Telco Cloud and service platform experimental infrastructure.

Potential applicants will have the opportunity to learn more and ask questions at an Information Day on 23 May 2025. They can also share their ideas and find partners by attending the SNS brokerage event that will take place on 23 May 2025 and by joining the SNS brokerage platform. Deadline:  18 September 2025

 

14. Clean Energy Transition (CET) European Partnership Joint Call 2025 Pre-Announcement https://cetpartnership.eu/calls/joint-call-2025

The CETPartnership is a transnational initiative (one of the co-funded European Partnerships in Horizon Europe (under Pillar 2, Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility)) on joint research, development and Innovation (RDI) programming to boost and accelerate the energy transition, building upon regional aStage One of the application process is expected to open on 11 June 2025 and have closing date for pre-proposals of 9 October 2025 (14:00 CEST).The CETPartnership plans to hold a Joint Call 2025 information event on 28 May 2025 and a Q&A session in September 2025.

 

15. FRONTIERS science journalism residency programme https://frontiers.media/residencies/call-for-applications-round-3/

FRONTIERS is a science journalism residency programme funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The FRONTIER team invites research institutions and projects to express their interest in hosting a science journalist as part of the FRONTIERS Residency Programme, by joining the database of potential host institutions. The current call for applications targets early-career science journalists (with up to five years of experience) and supports residencies of 3 to 5 months. Fellows are invited to collaborate closely with scientists to produce in-depth, independent reporting on frontier research. Deadline: 6 May 2025.

 

16. Twinning with Ukraine in Water & Environmental Engineering research https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/war-in-ukraine/#V2F5cyUyMHlvdSUyMGNhbiUyMGhlbHA=

Newcastle University currently has a strategic five year partnership with National University of Water and Environmental Engineering (NUWEE) in Ukraine, spanning a wide range of research areas. Where appropriate, please consider including our Ukrainian colleagues as partners in your European project proposals. Please contact Ukraine_twinning@ncl.ac.uk for further information.

 

17. €250,000 Heinrich Wieland Prize for Frontier Research in the Life Sciences Now Accepting Nominations https://boehringer-ingelheim-stiftung.de/en/scientific-awards/heinrich-wieland-prize/nomination.html

The focus of the award is on discoveries that deep the understanding of life on earth and pave the way for new medical breakthroughs. This includes research contributions from basic research in chemistry, biochemistry, and the physiology of biologically active molecules and systems, as well as their clinical importance. Eligible for nominations are outstanding scientists in the fields of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and physiology worldwide. The prize consists of a monetary award of €250,000. Nominations must be submitted by the deadline of 1 June 2025.

 

18. COST Teatime Action Launches Calls to Improve Animal Behaviour Research https://www.cost-teatime.org/grants/

The COST TEATIME consortium brings together researchers to improve how animal behaviour research is performed, specifically by improving biomedical research by automated behaviour monitoring in the animal home-cage. The consortium will investigate ways to develop the use of 24/7 monitoring using methods, including videos and tracking of small sensor-implanted animals in their home-cages, to describe their behaviour, reducing the need to remove animals for short-term testing in unfamiliar environments. Deadline: 8 August 2025

19. DSIT survey launches on experiences of the COST programme https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6te37saxYT5rV1Y

As either a current or past COST Action participant (European Co-operation in Science and Technology), DSIT seeks to understand your experiences of COST:

  • what you liked
  • what you feel could be improved
  • how participating in COST impacted your career.

Your insights will help to shape the ways in which the UK Government supports COST participants in future, and how they promote and raise awareness of the benefits of COST to an even wider audience. You can access the DSIT COST survey here.

 

20. MSCA Staff Exchanges 2025: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/staff-exchanges

The Staff Exchanges action funds short-term international and inter-sectoral exchanges of staff members involved in research and innovation activities of participating organisations. The aim is to develop sustainable collaborative projects between different organisations from the academic and non-academic sectors (in particular SMEs), based in Europe and beyond. Exchanged staff benefit from new knowledge, skills and career development perspectives, while participating organisations increase their research and innovation capacities. Staff Exchanges are open to international consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations. Deadline 8 October 2025.

21. REMINDER: Horizon Europe Draft Work Programmes

Leaks to Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes (and early 2026-2027 notes) as published by Science Business news are pasted below. Please note the drafts are subject to redrafting and change, but may help indicate potential call topics to start to find partners and build European country consortia. Formal 2025 Work Programmes are expected to be finalised and published around end of April:

 2026-27 Work Programmes

 

2025 Work Programmes

 

In addition (confidentially) please see:

 

Note, one may request funds from the NU Horizon Europe Travel Fund (see below) to support development of partnerships towards any of these calls.

 

22. OSCARS Call for Open Science Projects: https://oscars-project.eu/

Open Science Clusters’ Action for Research and Society (OSCARS) is a four-year Horizon Europe project funded by the European Union, which aims to foster the uptake of open science in Europe. The project works to strengthen the role of the Science Clusters across research in Europe, which form the foundations of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). OSCARS has launched its second and final call for projects to select third-parties for the development of new, innovative open science projects or services, which will promote the use of open science in the European Research Area (ERA). Proposed projects should fit within the Science Clusters: •Astronomy and particle physics. • Environmental science. • Life science. • Photon and neutron science. • Social sciences and humanities. Applicants may apply for between €100,000 and €250,000 per project. Projects are expected to last between 12 and 24 months. Deadline 14 May 2025.

 

23. Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking: https://www.cbe.europa.eu/open-calls-proposals

The mission of CBE JU is to advance a competitive bioeconomy for a sustainable Europe. To achieve this goal, the public-private partnership is funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with a focus on these strategic priorities: feedstock, processing, products, as well as cross-cutting aspects of communication and environmental sustainability. The CBE JU 2025 call for project proposals will open for submission on 4 April 2025 with foreseen deadline of 17 September 2025. Meanwhile, you can already prepare your proposal based on the call topic text published in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2025.

 

24. European Innovation Council Pathfinder Open 2025 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-eic-2025-pathfinderopen

The EIC Pathfinder enables multidisciplinary research teams to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies. This route supports early stage development of future technologies up to proof of concept. A total of €142 million is available to enable applicants to realise an ambitious vision for radically new technology, with potential to create new markets and/or to provide solutions for global challenges. Submissions may be made by consortia of at least three different independent legal entities (such as research organisations, universities, SMEs, start-ups, industry, natural persons) established in at least three different eligible countries (EU Member States and Associate Countries including the U.K), of which at least one must be an EU Member State. Deadline 21 May 2025

 

Meanwhile, EIC Pathfinder Challenges topics for 2025 (deadline 29 October 2025) are:

  • Biotech for Climate Resilient Crops and Plant-Based Biomanufacturing
  • Generative-AI based Agents to Revolutionize Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
  • Towards autonomous robot collectives delivering collaborative tasks in dynamic unstructured construction environments
  • Waste-to-value devices: Circular production of renewable fuels, chemicals and materials

25. Project Grants for Clinical and Basic Studies of Autoimmunity in Type-1 Diabetes https://www.europeandiabetesfoundation.org/workshops/132-efsd-and-sanofi-european-diabetes-research-programme-autoimmunity-type-1-diabetes.html

The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) is inviting proposals for the 2025 round of the European Diabetes Research Programme on Autoimmunity in Type 1 Diabetes, which offers support for basic and clinical research aimed at improving current knowledge of any aspect of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes, including pathogenesis, screening and monitoring, clinical course and interventions. Grants of up to €100,000 are available for projects hosted by single non-profit institutions, or groups of institutions, based in Europe or associated countries. Deadline 15 May 2025

 

26. Fondation Maladies Rares and CMT-France Launch Joint Call on Charcot-Marie-Tooth Diseases https://fondation-maladiesrares.org/le-financement-des-projets-scientifiques/

Fondation Maladies Rares and CMT-France have launched a joint call for proposals to support innovative basic, translational or clinical research programmes on CMT diseases. All disciplines in the biomedical sciences or the humanities and social sciences are eligible. The programme seeks to support at least one project for the development of therapeutic strategies and at least one project focused on improving CMT patients’ quality of life.The call will provide up to €25,000 for a project with a maximum duration of 24 months. Deadline 22 May 2025

 

27.  MSCA COFUND Doctoral/Postdoctoral Fellowships: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/msca-opens-eu1018m-call-to-co-fund-doctoral-and-postdoctoral-programmes

Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) applications are now being accepted under the co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND) scheme, which provides funding for regional, national and international programmes for training and career development through co-funding mechanisms. The programme supports new or existing doctoral programmes and postdoctoral fellowship schemes managed by entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries with the aim of spreading the best practices of the MSCA. This includes international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary research training, as well as international and cross-sectoral mobility of researchers at all stages of their career. COFUND projects should last for up to five years and should recruit at least three researchers. MSCA are open to all domains of research and innovation. Any type of organisation can apply as long as they have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the tasks they propose. The budget for the 2025 call is €101.82 million. A beneficiary can receive a maximum of €10 million per call. COFUND funding helps host organisations cover for each supported researcher with a fixed amount (COFUND allowance) equivalent to the minimum salary that researchers should receive. This allowance can be used to support any cost items of the programme. Deadline 24 June 2025.

 

28.  Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking 2025 calls

Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking has published its 2025/26 Biannual Work Programme and this includes the 2025 Calls for Proposals (Annex VI, page 141 onward). There is €138.7m available across 10 Topics, nine of which have a planned opening date of October this year with a proposal submission deadline of February 2026.

 

29.  COST Actions Networking Grants 2025: https://www.cost.eu/funding/open-call-a-simple-one-step-application-process/

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research, including social science and humanities. COST does not fund research itself, but funds the expenses of interdisciplinary research networks called COST Actions (networks that engage a team of proposers from at least 7 COST member countries with at least half from inclusiveness target countries). These support a range of networking tools, such as workshops, conferences, training schools, short-term scientific missions (STSMs), communication activities, and virtual networking tools. COST Actions enable researchers from academia, SMEs, public institutions and other relevant organisations to investigate a topic of their choice for four years. No budget forecast is requested when submitting a proposal. An estimated €125,000 is made available for a COST Action in its first year and an average of €150,000 per year for the other three years. Deadline is 21 October 2025.

 

30. REMINDER: NU Horizon Europe Travel Fund:

The purpose of the Horizon Europe travel fund is to support the development of proposals to Horizon Europe funding opportunities. Awards will be made to cover the basic costs of travel and subsistence (typically ~£500-2000) of Newcastle University staff members to meet with EU partners—we request that funds are spent no later than 18th July 2025 (to enable year-end accounting). It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange travel bookings. Please complete the travel request form: https://forms.office.com/e/xu0FZ65dif . We will return a decision to you asap, typically within five working days. Should you have any queries, please email sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk

 

Official development assistance (ODA) related funding

 

31. NIHR Global Health Research March update:

NIHR is pausing the Global Health Research calls while they understand the impact to the Global Health Research Programme’s funding from the Prime Minister’s announcement to temporarily reduce Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI by 2027.  Further information will be supplied as soon as it is available.

32. Wellcome Mental Health Award: Leveraging longitudinal data to transform early intervention in mental health: https://wellcome.org/grant-funding/schemes/mental-health-award-leveraging-longitudinal-data-transform-early-intervention

We are funding experts to unlock the potential of longitudinal datasets and develop innovative ways of identifying anxiety, depression and/or psychosis early. Successful teams will integrate cutting-edge analytics of longitudinal data with experimental research so that, in time, people may benefit from better targeted early interventions. Funding of £1-5 million per project is available over 3-5 years. Research with LMICs is encouraged. Information webinar on 7 May, with scope check deadline of 8 July and application deadline of 22 July 2025.

33. PTES Grants Open for Endangered Species Research in the UK, UK Overseas Territories and LMICs: https://ptes.org/grants/apply-grant/

The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is a UK registered charity founded on the objective of ensuring a future for many endangered wildlife species throughout the world. PTES Worldwide Conservation Insight Grants offer funding for research or conservation projects focusing on endangered species around the world. Funds are awarded for work that aims to generate the scientific evidence that will facilitate the conservation of a species. The evidence may include testing a conservation intervention to address a particular threat or answering a key conservation question that will enable conservationists to undertake critical conservation action. Priority is given to native project leaders working in their own country, rather than UK or other nationals working abroad. Preference will be given to applicants who have a proven, successful history working on the species and/or in that region. Grants are between £3,000 and £10,000 per annum up to a maximum total of £20,000 over two years. Pre-applications deadline of 29 May 2025.

 

General international

 

34. NEW: Michael J Fox Foundation Opens Global Fellowship to Meet Rising Need for Parkinson’s Movement Disorder Specialists https://www.michaeljfox.org/grant/edmond-j-safra-fellowship-movement-disorders

The Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders is open to academic centers worldwide. Funding is open to established movement disorder centres worldwide to support the training of promising MD or MD/PhD fellowship applicants. The centres must have the capacity to identify and train new movement disorder fellows over a two-year period. Grants are available to cover 10 two-year fellowships. Each fellow is eligible for $180,000 in total. Funding can cover the fellow’s stipend, benefits, travel allowance, coursework, conferences, and other relevant educational and training opportunities. Deadline: 4 December 2025

35. NEW: May Opening Date for 2025 HFG Distinguished Scholars Programme for Research on Violence https://live-harryfrankguggenheim.pantheonsite.io/distinguished-scholars/

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HFG) is a US-based non-profit organisation that supports research to increase understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence in the modern world. The Foundation provides funding in the form of research grants to encourage the development of scholars in fields relating to the study of violence. There are no nationality or citizen restrictions on who can apply. There are no formal degree requirements although, most recipients hold a PhD, MD or equivalent and are college or university professors.

Awards are normally in the range of $15,000 to $45,000 for one or two years. Deadline: 1 August 2025.

36. REMINDER: AXA Research Fund 2025 Call for Post-Doctoral Fellowships https://axa-research.org/storage/media/1869/AXA-Research-Fund-2025-Post-doctoral-Fellowships-Guidelines.pdf

The topic of the call is on “Rethinking Social Contracts for the 21st Century – Demographic Change, Social Protection and Solidarity”. Eight Postdoctoral researchers examining the evolving dynamics of social contracts, and their need to be transformed to address the intersection of demographic shifts, migration, and labor market demands, will be supported based on the decision of the AXA Research Fund Scientific Board. AXA welcome interdisciplinary perspectives from fields such as sociology, political science, geopolitics, economics, law, public health, environmental studies, and related disciplines. We especially value solution-oriented research that proposes tangible recommendations and outcomes.  More information is available in the guidelines and on the AXA website.

 Host Institutions may submit only one candidate for the entire institution. The AXA deadline to express interest for this call is May 5th, 2025. Therefore, given the very short timeline we are asking eligible candidates who wish to be considered to please complete the Newcastle University Expression of Interest form no later than noon on 29th April 2025.

Newcastle University Expression of Interest form: https://forms.office.com/e/LusZxwmWH5

Eligibility: Candidates must be early-career researchers who have completed their PhD for no longer than five years* and must not have a permanent (tenured or tenure-track) position. *For the 2025 cycle, applicants must have defended their PhD on or after October 10, 2019. This date accounts for a 6-month flexibility beyond the 5-year working experience limit. AXA also provides an additional 6 months per child flexibility to account for maternity/paternity leave.

Michael J Fox Foundation: PPMI Biofluid Biomarkers Program https://www.michaeljfox.org/grant/ppmi-biofluid-biomarkers-program

This Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) program seeks to identify collaborators who have analytically validated biomarker assays to deploy in existing PPMI biosamples to enhance the biological definition of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related disorders, both before and after symptom onset. This call will support (through the provision of PPMI biosamples and commensurate funding) studies that address the strategic goals of PPMI and facilitate refinement in the biological definition of PD and related disorders prior to and following onset of symptoms. Selected projects must evaluate biomarkers that could improve the classification and staging of PD Pre-proposals due: 27 May 2025 Full proposals due (by invite only): 16 September 2025. Further details can be found here.

UK-Japan Civil Nuclear Research Programme Launches 11th Call https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/uk-japan-civil-nuclear-research-programme-2025/

Apply for funding for research into accelerating and advancing nuclear science including decommissioning relevant to Fukushima and Sellafield. This programme aims to support one to two projects. Projects can be up to £593,750 at 100% full economic cost (FEC). Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will fund 80% of the FEC to £475,000. Projects must start as close as possible to their Japanese counterparts and will have a duration of up to 36 months. Award range £250,000 – £475,000. Deadline: 12 June 2025.

37. Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants Open to Applications https://www.humanimmunomeproject.org/our-work/research-grants/

Research projects are sought that seek to tackle the current roadblocks that exist in human vaccine development and expand understanding of key immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development. The scheme is open to early career investigators working to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery and immunotherapy research for major global diseases. Applicants must be 35 or younger at the time of application submission. Applicants can be based in any country. Grants of $150,000 are available for up to one year. Deadline: 22 June 2025.

38.  Extended Deadline for UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/education-sustainable-development

The UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development recognises the role of education in connecting the social, economic, cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The jury is looking particularly for innovative projects/programmes that address equally the economic, environmental and social dimension of sustainability and already show proof that the project/programme has led to individual and societal change.  Extended deadline: 16 May 2025.

39. Sony Women in Technology Award 2026: https://womenintechnology.sony.com/

The Sony Women in Technology Award is a collaboration between Sony and Nature that aims to recognise and reward exceptional women who are making significant contributions to the technology field. The award highlights the achievements of women driving positive change through technology, with a focus on their impact on society and the planet. By showcasing these accomplishments, the award seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of women in technology. Women researchers in the early to mid stages of their careers, working in academia, at a research institution, or an affiliated university spinout in any country, are invited to apply. A PhD or equivalent is not required. Three winners will each receive $250,000 to further their research and innovation. Their work will also be showcased on Nature.com, amplifying its impact and fostering global collaborations. Deadline 30 May 2025.

40. Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (GBSF) grant funding: http://www.gbsf.org.uk/grants/overview/

The Foundation’s aim is to develop good relations between the United Kingdom and Japan by advancing the education of the people of both nations in each other’s culture, society and achievements. It seeks to promote mutual understanding and cooperation through financial support for activities in the following fields: • Arts and Culture • Humanities and Social Issues • Japanese Language • Medicine and Health • Science, Technology and Environment • Sport • Youth and Education. The Foundation’s awards are intended to provide “pump-priming” and not core funding of projects. Standard travel grants between the UK and Japan are £2,000, and up to £2,500 for visits of more than two weeks. This also includes travel for PhD students from UK universities wishing to visit Japan for dissertation research or to complete fieldwork. Applications for longer-term fieldwork of six months or more in Japan can be considered, with grants of up to £5,000. The UK office holds three annual awards meetings, with remaining application deadlines on 15th September and 15th December.

41. EPSRC Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in advancing human-centred AI: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/japan-uk-joint-call-for-collaborations-in-advancing-human-centred-ai/

Based on the implementation principles of the ASPIRE program in Japan, this partnership programme aims to support internationally competitive collaborative research projects between Japan and the UK focusing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. This programme will create leading international research networks, and nurture early career researchers to invigorate the AI sector in each country. Up to £1.5M (for UK component) over 5 years available. Deadline 22 May 2025.

42. Google PhD Fellowships in Computer Science: https://research.google/programs-and-events/phd-fellowship/

The Google PhD Fellowships support outstanding graduate students undertaking exceptional and innovative research as part of a PhD in computer science or related field. The awards range from $10,000 to $85,000 per year, depending on location, to fund stipend, tuition, fees and research costs over a maximum three year period. Fellows will also be allocated a Google Mentor to provide support for the duration of the fellowship. Fields of interest for the 2025 application round include: Computer architecture. Health research.             Human-computer interaction.        Machine learning and ML foundations.  Machine perception.        Natural language processing.     Privacy, safety and security.             Quantum computing.     Software engineering and programming languages.             Systems, networking and cloud computing. In Europe, institutions may nominate up to three eligible students so please let jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk know if you are interested in making a nomination by 28 April 2025 to coordinate demand. The Google deadline is 15 May 2025.

43. Australia-UK platform studies in areas of unmet clinical need: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/australia-uk-platform-studies-areas-unmet-clinical-need/97018

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australia and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UK are inviting applications for ambitious platform studies in areas of unmet medical need. The platform must be internationally collaborative, with joint leads based in Australia and the United Kingdom. The total funding is $30m AUD (equivalent to £15.5m GBP) up to 1 to 3 platforms over up to 7 years. The Australian components can each receive up to $5m AUD per platform, while the UK component can receive up to £7.8m GBP (around £2.6m per award). Stage one application deadline 23 July 2025.

 

Project Initiation Form (PIF): https://www.cognitoforms.com/NewcastleUniversity1/NewcastleUniversityNuTHProjectInitiationFormV2

If you’re in the process of developing a research proposal please ensure you submit a PIF as soon as possible. The PIF is not just a mechanism to initiate a costing, it enables the research support team to identify and engage on your behalf the varying types of research and business support beneficial to your bid. Please note you don’t need to define all resources required before engaging with the team. To maximise the support available to you, PIF submission is advised at your earliest convenience.

Category
Tags

LEAVE A REPLY