Funding
For a fully comprehensive search of opportunities all staff can access the University of Oxford subscription to Research Professional to search for funding (log in using SSO, then apply filters and search for funders). You can also set up automated email summary updates of funding opportunities for specific topics there. Training and information on using Research Professional is available.
In addition, the Universities UK International (UUKi) 'Global research and innovation funding gateway' is a regularly updated depository of funding opportunities for international research collaboration and knowledge exchange, aimed at UK based researchers/institutions.
For industrial funding opportunities contact either the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Innovation and Business Partnerships team or the Medical Sciences Division Business Partnerships Office. The Africa Oxford Initiative also offers regular travel grants, fellowship and more.
The University of Oxford has a wealth of information to help researchers and research support staff to find funding, assist with the application process, and manage resulting research awards.
Recurring funding
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)
NIHR Global Health Professorships (recurring annually):
The NIHR Global Health Professorships aim to support senior researchers on track to become a future global health research leader, and methodologists working to improve health outcomes in LMICs.
Eligibility: Open to senior researchers in health, public health, and social care. Applicants can be based in LMICs and in the UK.
Funding Available: 5-year award of up to £2 million plus an extensive support package
NIHR Research on Interventions for Global Health Transformation (RIGHT) (recurring):
The NIHR RIGHT programme aims to fund research that develops and evaluates interdisciplinary applied health research in low and middle income countries (LMICs) on areas of unmet need where a strategic and targeted investment can result in a transformative impact. RIGHT runs one or two funding calls a year on commissioned topics in applied health research.
Eligibility: Funding awards can be led by a Principal Investigator (Lead Applicant) employed by an LMIC Higher Education Institution (HEI) or Research Institute; or by a Principal Investigator employed by a UK HEI or Research Institute (UK Joint Lead Applicant) to jointly lead with a Principal Investigator employed by an LMIC HEI or Research Institute (LMIC Joint Lead Applicant). Applications must include a lead, co-applicant or joint lead applicant from a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding and relevant to the research proposal.
Funding Available: £1-5 million (maximum of £5 million) for research with a duration of 3-5 years
NIHR Global Health Research – Researcher-led bands 1 to 3 (recurring annually):
The NIHR Global Health Research programme aims to fund health research that addresses locally prioritized evidence needs and promotes equity in LMICs.
Eligibility: Researchers in health and social care, focusing on SDG 3 goals.
Funding Available: Varies by project band.
NIHR Global Advanced Fellowship (recurring annually):
The NIHR Global Advanced Fellowship awards support postdoctoral researchers in LMICs and the UK working in applied global health research. The scheme aims to support postdoctoral researchers on the path to becoming leaders in global health research for LMICs. This is an annual scheme that is anticipated to launch around the same time each year.
Eligibility: Early- to mid-career researchers in applied global health.
Funding Available: Up to £750,000 over 2 to 5 years
Medical Research Council (MRC)
MRC Applied Global Health Research (next round opens March 2025):
The MRC Applied Global Health Research programme aims to support applied research that will address global health challenges and inequities. The scheme will fund impactful research that can directly influence health policy and practice in LMICs.
Eligibility: Researchers in the UK and LMICs working in partnerships. Applications of all sizes will be considered, including large research projects and small to medium-scale applications.
Funding Available: £150,000 - £2,000,000
MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) (recurring):
The MRC DPFS aims to support translational research for novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices to address global health issues. project can start and finish at any stage on the developmental pathway from early development, through pre-clinical refinement and testing to early-phase clinical studies and trials (up to phase 2a)
Eligibility: Academic-led projects addressing significant health needs.
Funding Available: Total fund £30,000,000 there is no limit on the amount of funding an application can apply for
Academy of Medical Sciences
Academy of Medical Sciences Networking Grants (recurring):
The Academy of Medical Sciences Networking Grants aim to support cross-disciplinary collaboration and events that build global research capacity through innovative ideas.
Eligibility: Researchers collaborating with UK-based academics, with a focus on DAC-listed countries.
Funding Available: Up to £25,000 over one year.
British Academy
British Academy Global Professorships (recurring annually):
The British Academy’s Global Professorships are large investigator-led awards to attract internationally recognised established scholars to work in the United Kingdom, to undertake new, coherent and cutting-edge research projects. With the Global Professorships, the Academy is looking to support researchers that are proposing ambitious, beyond the state-of-the-art research that breaks new ground to work in the UK for up to four years.
Eligibility: Mid-career to senior scholars in social sciences and humanities from outside the UK.
Funding Available: up to £900,000 per award
Royal Society
Royal Society International Exchanges (recurring):
The Royal Society International Exchanges aim to fund collaborations between UK-based scientists and international counterparts to advance natural sciences research. The scheme will consider applicants who want to stimulate new research collaborations with leading scientists overseas through one-off or bilateral travel.
Eligibility: UK-based scientists working in natural sciences fields.
Funding Available: Various amounts.
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH)
RSTMH Early Career Grants Programme (recurring annually):
The RSTMH Early Career Grants aim to support next generation of tropical medicine and global health professionals growing their skills and networks, improving confidence and enabling the development and dissemination of interesting and innovative outcomes in tropical medicine and global health.
Eligibility: Early-career researchers and global health professionals based anywhere in the world, who have not had research funding in their own name before
Funding Available: up to £5,000, 1-year durations
RSTMH Student Essay Competition (recurring):
The RSTMH Essay Competition aims to recognize outstanding essays on global health topics by full-time students studying global health.
Eligibility: Full-time students worldwide studying global health or related degrees.
Funding Available: £200, plus a year's free student membership to RSTMH
TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities)
TORCH Global Visiting Professorship Scheme (recurring annually):
The TORCH Global Visiting Professorship aims to support visiting academics from global majority countries to spend a term at Oxford, hosted by All Souls College.
Eligibility: Academics with university posts in their home country, excluding those already near Oxford.
Funding Available: Not specified.
Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund
GHIT Fund: Screening Platform (recurring)
The GHIT Fund Screening Platform aims to develop new medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics to address infectious diseases in developing countries.
Eligibility: Researchers focusing on diseases like malaria, TB, and Chagas.
Funding Available: Projects should be completed within two years.