Translational Research Funding Application Clinics 2026
Are you thinking of applying for Translational Research Funding?
Translation Manchester together with the FBMH Research Impact team and the Innovation Factory are now providing 1:1 support, via on-line funding application clinics (30 minutes), to help you prepare for your application. Our support includes the following, amongst other:
- Arranging support letters.
- Coordinating internal peer review.
- Support in completing application sections relevant to intellectual property protection and exploitation (through Innovation Factory)
- Advice on embedding impact plans into funding applications, and on completing the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) for UKRI applications.
- Signposting to relevant support in our network.
- Advice on which scheme suits your translational research project better.
Translational Research Funding Clinic sessions last 2 hours, with three 30-minute bookable slots.
Upcoming clinic dates are:
- Tuesday 3rd March 2026, 10.00 – 12:00
- Wednesday 1st April 2026 13.00-15.00
- Wednesday May 13th 2026 10.00-12.00
- Monday June 15th 2026 10.00-12.00
Book your 30-minute slot by pressing select tickets on this booking page.
Are you yet to decide which scheme is suitable for your project?
In the funding clinics we can help you identify the most suitable scheme for you. Please find below some information from the most relevant translational funding schemes from NIHR and MRC, but we support applications for all translational funding bids including LifeArc and BHF Translational Award. These awards cover a significant portion of the translational research pathway and are the natural follow-on funding schemes from our internal translational pump priming schemes such as the MRC Impact accelerator Account (IAA) and the Translational Manchester Schemes (A2E, C4T, Innovation Labs).
| FUNDER | GRANT NAME AND DETAILS | DESCRIPTION | NEXT DEADLINE |
| NIHR | Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) researcher-led | The Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme aims to produce rigorous and relevant evidence to improve the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services. | tbc |
| MRC | Experimental medicine |
Investigating the causes, progression and treatment of human disease. Project must include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans, focus on a mechanistic hypothesis, be academically-led | call open - closing date 15th April 2026 4pm Next round 16 Apr to 7 October 2026 |
| No limits to funds (but typically >1M) and duration | |||
| MRC | Developmental pathway funding scheme (DPFS) |
To develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions. |
Application rounds close every March, July and November. |
| No limits to funds and duration | |||
| MRC | Developmental Pathway Gap Fund (DPGF) |
To generate critical preliminary data to build confidence in the development strategy for a new medicine, repurposed medicine, medical device, diagnostic test, or other medical intervention development. The Developmental Pathway Gap Fund (DPGF) sits beyond the smaller Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) funding and before the substantive and longer Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) funding. |
Application rounds close every March, July and November. |
| Up to £300K, up to 24 months duration | |||
| NIHR | Invention for Innovation (i4i) | The NIHR Invention for Innovation (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. |
tbc |
| No max value, up to 36 months duration | |||
| NIHR | Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) |
Funding for health, public health and social care research covering a wide range of health service challenges in England. |
tbc |
| Up to £500K, up to 36 months duration | |||
| NIHR | Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) |
Funding for ambitious studies evaluating interventions with potential to make a step-change in the promotion of health, treatment of disease and improvement of rehabilitation or long-term care. |
tbc |
| No limits to funds and duration |