Formerly known as Grant for Research and Development, Smart is available to single companies. Three types of grant are available:

- Proof of market grant

- Proof of concept grant

- Development of prototype grant

Pre start-ups, start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses from all sectors across the UK may apply for the Smart programme.

Formerly known as Grant for Research and Development, Smart is available to single companies. Three types of grant are available:

- Proof of market grant

- Proof of concept grant

- Development of prototype grant

Pre start-ups, start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses from all sectors across the UK may apply for the Smart programme.

Research projects with an emphasis on (1) novel and emerging technologies and (2) their application to cardiovascular disease prevention and/or treatment, which can be expected to benefit patients within a foreseeable timeframe, will be considered. Appropriate approaches include tissue and bioengineering, the development and evaluation of new diagnostic and therapeutic devices, bioimaging, nanotechnology, biomaterials, genomic and proteomic approaches, computational biology and bioinformatics. NET Grants are not appropriate for funding clinical trials.

EME was created as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) coordinated strategy for clinical trials. The EME programme is funded by the MRC and managed by the NIHR as the lead organisation for clinical trials and evaluation.

The EME programme is broadly aimed at supporting 'science driven' studies with an expectation of substantial health gain. The clinical studies are likely to be mostly randomised controlled trials but other forms of evaluation appropriate for the intervention under study will also be supported.

The EME programme aims to support excellent clinical science with an ultimate view to improving health or patient care. Its remit includes clinical trials and evaluative studies - in patients - which: Evaluate clinical efficacy of interventions (where proof of concept in humans has already been achieved); add significantly to our understanding of biological or behavioural mechanisms and processes; explore new scientific or clinical principles; include the development or testing of new methodologies.

The Translational Stem Cell Research Committee (TSCRC) has been established to fund investigator-led research proposals that have clear translational goals, and will consider applications from across the UK. The funding mechanism will also provide a platform for partnership funding which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Therapeutics, Devices and Diagnostics Development
The Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme/Developmental Clinical Studies scheme (DPFS/DCS) supports the translation of fundamental discoveries toward benefits to human health. It funds the pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including “repurposing” of existing therapies.

The DPFS/DCS scheme combines the previous individual translational funding schemes, permitting a more flexible and integrated approach to the development of new interventions and diagnostics. This scheme forms part of the MRC’s Translational Research Strategy.

Research projects with an emphasis on (1) novel and emerging technologies and (2) their application to cardiovascular disease prevention and/or treatment, which can be expected to benefit patients within a foreseeable timeframe, will be considered. Appropriate approaches include tissue and bioengineering, the development and evaluation of new diagnostic and therapeutic devices, bioimaging, nanotechnology, biomaterials, genomic and proteomic approaches, computational biology and bioinformatics. NET Grants are not appropriate for funding clinical trials.

The objective is to provide funds to enable ERC-funded ideas to be brought to a pre-demonstration stage where potential opportunities for exploitation have been identified. PoC funding (up to 150 000 € for 12 months) aims to help ERC grant-holders bridge the gap between their research and the earliest stage of an innovation where a potentially commercial or socially valuable concept needs validation in order to attract the capital necessary for its continued development.

A small number of larger strategic awards are available called Super follow-on funding grants, from the BBSRC. This is a pilot scheme and there will be 2 calls for applications to Super follow on funds in 2012.

This funding is for ‘proof of concept’ at the very early stage of turning research outputs into a commercial proposition.

It funds work to convert an idea into a robust business plan where a route to commercialisation is clear, for example a spin-out (seed or venture finance) or licensing opportunity.

To facilitate early-stage small-molecule drug discovery. The awards help applicants with a potential drug target or new chemistry embark on a programme of compound discovery and/or lead optimisation.

Therapeutics, Devices and Diagnostics Development
The Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme/Developmental Clinical Studies scheme (DPFS/DCS) supports the translation of fundamental discoveries toward benefits to human health. It funds the pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including “repurposing” of existing therapies.

The DPFS/DCS scheme combines the previous individual translational funding schemes, permitting a more flexible and integrated approach to the development of new interventions and diagnostics. This scheme forms part of the MRC’s Translational Research Strategy.

For applied R&D projects that address an unmet need in healthcare. They are open to academic researchers and companies, and can address almost any area of healthcare. Projects covering any aspect of technology development from a range of disciplines - including physical, computational and life sciences - will be considered. Projects must address an unmet need in healthcare or in applied medical research, offer a potential new solution, and have a realistic expectation that the innovation will be developed further by the market.

The Translational Stem Cell Research Committee (TSCRC) has been established to fund investigator-led research proposals that have clear translational goals, and will consider applications from across the UK. The funding mechanism will also provide a platform for partnership funding which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The objective is to provide funds to enable ERC-funded ideas to be brought to a pre-demonstration stage where potential opportunities for exploitation have been identified. PoC funding (up to 150 000 € for 12 months) aims to help ERC grant-holders bridge the gap between their research and the earliest stage of an innovation where a potentially commercial or socially valuable concept needs validation in order to attract the capital necessary for its continued development.

Therapeutics, Devices and Diagnostics Development
The Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme/Developmental Clinical Studies scheme (DPFS/DCS) supports the translation of fundamental discoveries toward benefits to human health. It funds the pre-clinical development and early clinical testing of novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, including “repurposing” of existing therapies.

The DPFS/DCS scheme combines the previous individual translational funding schemes, permitting a more flexible and integrated approach to the development of new interventions and diagnostics. This scheme forms part of the MRC’s Translational Research Strategy.

The Translational Stem Cell Research Committee (TSCRC) has been established to fund investigator-led research proposals that have clear translational goals, and will consider applications from across the UK. The funding mechanism will also provide a platform for partnership funding which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Translating research into healthcare improvements and enhanced economic prosperity is central to the MRC’s mission. A number of recent developments have contributed to a marked improvement in opportunities for academic-industry biomedical research collaborations. MICAs represent MRC’s response to this changing climate and are particularly aimed at encouraging and supporting genuinely collaborative research projects between academic researchers and industry.

The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £15m in collaborative research and development projects that stimulate innovation across key enabling technology areas – advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, photonics and electrical systems; information and communications technology; and nanoscale technologies.

This competition is co-funded by Scottish Enterprise with up to £2.75m of additional funding. Focus is on projects where recent technological discoveries or breakthroughs have inspired people to innovate in a context of significant technology risk, or have led to ideas that are yet to find applications in a recognised market or business sector. Innovation in these key enabling technology areas can be a significant driver of economic growth and enhance quality of life.

Proposals should be collaborative and led by a business. TSB expect to invest between £250k and £500k in each project, although projects outside this range will be considered. TSB are primarily looking to fund applied research projects attracting 50% public funding.

The BBSRC new pathfinder scheme enables potential follow-on funding applicants to secure small amounts of funding to carry out preliminary commercial activities.

The Follow-on Fund helps researchers to bridge the funding gap between traditional research grants and commercial funding by supporting the very early stage of turning research outputs into a commercial proposition. After completing the follow-on work, the prospective business idea should be in a much stronger position to secure further support from venture capital or seed funds.

The Brian Mercer Feasibility Awards aim to provide initial support to test the feasibility of a project and enable holders to investigate the technical and economical feasibility of commercialising an aspect of their scientific research, possibly in conjunction with a third party. These awards are designed to promote innovation and are intended to fill the funding gap between the scientific research and the exploitation of the idea through venture capital. The scheme covers the built environment, clean technology, energy and nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Funded by BBSRC and delivered by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Enterprise Fellowships are designed to encourage the development of a new business, building on previously funded BBSRC research, around a technological idea developed by the Fellow (either individually or with others) and within which the Fellow would be expected to play a leading (though not necessarily the leading) role. This award is of particular relevance to individuals and ideas who previously received BBSRC Follow-on Funding (although not exclusively).

They provide:

A year’s salary to provide time to develop a full business plan and seek investment
Access to mentors, business experts and professional advisors
Business training to help develop the required skills
Eligibility
Academic and research staff and postgraduates with relevant experience are eligible to apply if employed by a:

UK Higher Education Institution (HEI), or
Institutes of BBSRC

The Health Innovation Challenge Fund (HICF) is a parallel funding partnership between the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health. The funders are collaborating to stimulate the creation of innovative healthcare products, technologies and interventions, and facilitate their development for the benefit of patients in the NHS and beyond. The HICF will have a succession of thematic calls for proposals, each selected to focus on unmet needs in healthcare relevant to the NHS, and will support innovative developments that are within three to five years of launch or adoption.

Invited applications for applied R&D projects that are close to existing Wellcome Trust interests. For example, these may build on Trust initiatives in basic science, such as genome-wide association studies, healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, or in areas like malaria, typhoid or TB.