Directed funding

Tackling some of the biggest challenges in research requires a long-term perspective and a sizeable focus. We call this area of work our directed funding. 

Our support and contributions to these initiatives are designed to give global researchers the freedom to ask bold questions and the tools, technologies and thriving research environments to make more serendipitous discoveries.

Major partnerships 

These facilities enable research to happen at a scale or speed that was previously not possible. 

They give researchers the cutting-edge technology needed to transform our understanding of health, life and wellbeing – from high throughput sequencing in genomics to the study of protein structures at sub-atomic resolution. This helps researchers make new discoveries, and can also reveal entirely new avenues of science for exploration. 

Focused, core support brings together teams who use their expertise, knowledge and skills to advance ideas and help us achieve our mission. Working to a common goal while sharing the same physical space and facilities means researchers can collaborate to tackle some of the biggest questions in science. 

We fund globally, investing in researchers, large programmes of research and co-funded initiatives both in the UK and in low- and middle-income countries. The latter plays a central role in our commitment to tackle health problems where the need is greatest and to work in partnership with those making a difference in their communities through research.

UK partnerships

Major partnerships beyond the UK

Discovery Research Platforms 

The Discovery Research Platforms bring together researchers, teams and collaborators to address a range of practical, technological and methodological barriers that are holding up progress in different research fields.

Research centres and institutes 

We invest in research centres and institutes to support researchers to work and train in world-class research environments. Working to a common goal while sharing the same physical space and facilities means researchers can collaborate to tackle some of the biggest questions in science.

What funding opportunities are available?

We have several grants and awards available to researchers at all stages of their career.