UKRI - UK Research & Innovation

"Launched in April 2018, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)"

UKRI’s website brings all the information about the research councils, vision and strategies, plans, reports, budgets, etc. and all the relevant information about research funding.

UK Research Councils (UKRI)

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

• AHRC basic funding information and links

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

• BBSRC basic funding information and links

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

• ESRC basic funding information and links

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

• EPSRC basic funding information and links

Innovate UK (IUK)

• IUK basic funding information and links

Medical Research Council (MRC)

• MRC basic funding information and links

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

• NERC funding information

Research England (RE)

• Research England basic funding information and links

Other UK key funding bodies

The British Academy

• British Academy funding opportunities

The European Commission (EC)

• More about the EC and Horizon 2020 funding

The Leverhulme Trust

• Leverhulme Trust funding opportunities

The Wellcome Trust

• Wellcome Trust basic funding information and links

Researchers are encouraged to get ready to participate in Horizon schemes and funding calls

(From StaffNet 20 October 2023)

You may recall the welcome news that the UK government and the European Commission had reached an agreement, and the UK would join the EU’s £85 billion science research programmes, Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes.

Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research, says: “I am delighted that Association to Horizon Europe has been agreed. This agreement opens up significant research funding and collaboration opportunities. The University has a great track record of success under previous calls to build upon.

“Liz Fay, our EU Funding and Development Manager and our Faculty research services team have the expertise to support the development of your application. I encourage all researchers to find out more about the opportunities for advancing their own research and to consider making an application.”

The UK will officially associate to Horizon Europe as of 1 January 2024 once the relevant protocol is signed. UK organisations and researchers are able to apply for the vast majority of Horizon calls, and UK researchers will be able to lead consortia in the next round of Horizon Europe projects.

This agreement will be a significant boost for the University’s world-leading research and researchers and will give UK companies and research institutions unrivalled opportunities to lead global work to develop new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to AI.

The University has had exceptional success in Horizon Europe throughout the transition phase via the UK government’s guarantee funding scheme. We have had 93 funded projects, 18 European Research Council, 12 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships, 10 MSCA Doctoral Networks, MSCA Staff Exchanges and funding to maintain dozens of networks.

Researchers are encouraged to build on this track record and to apply to the different Horizon schemes and funding calls that are available. Staff within the Directorate of Research and Business Engagement are available to support researchers with bid applications for 2023 and 2024.

For information on the different deadlines and schemes currently available, please visit: 

• European Commission – Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal

Note that the UK government chose not to associate to Euratom Research and Training Programme, and instead will put in place a suite of alternative Research and Development programmes to support the UK’s flourishing fusion sector and strengthen international collaboration in support of the UK Fusion Strategy. The government plans to invest up to £650 million until 2027, subject to business case approvals. Further details will be announced in due course.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has advised us that researchers should continue to plan for involvement in Euratom calls, as many will be covered by a similar funding guarantee to that which covered the transition phase for Horizon Europe. 

For clarification on applying for Euratom calls, please visit:

• EU Funding Website  

For further information, contact Liz Fay, EU Funding and Development Manager via email at:

• liz.fay@manchester.ac.uk  

This is the current EC research framework. Find out more.

The Newton Fund and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) were key funding schemes in previous years. Current possibilites: 

• The International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) "will allow UK researchers and innovators to collaborate with international partners on multidisciplinary projects".
• The British Academy new funding schemes 
• ODA International Interdisciplinary Research
• Global Professorships
• International Writing Workshops
• Global Fellowships
• The British Council informs of new possibilites with global partners
• The UKRI funding calls could allow for international partnerships, co-applicants, etc.
• The UK International Developmemt funding opportunities received via email subscription
• Possibilities participating on calls from UK international agreements and associations: USA, Brazil, Luxemburgh, EU.
• The UKCDR or UK Collaborative on Development Research is 'is a group of government departments and research funders working in international development', its website is a relevant source of funding information in this area of research.

Further sources of research funding

• Brief list of possible sources of funding for Humanities, with links in alphabetical order (work in progress).
• The Highlights page includes an Excel document collating calls and funders and various parameters, 'Funding information, including current available funding opportunities', which is updated on a regular basis.