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Artificial intelligence in cell culture media and process development

Merck group

Artificial intelligence in cell culture media and process development - one grant of up to 150,000 EUR per year for up to 3 years.

Submission deadline for the 2026 Research Grants is 31 August 2026.

About the 2026 research grants

The Merck research grants program is open to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company.

In the first stage of the Research Grants application process, applicants submit their application containing non-confidential information only. You may apply for more than one grant. If your application passes the first evaluation stage you are invited to submit a full proposal under confidentiality and join a deep-dive workshop. All applicants are informed about the decision of the selection committee.

Deep dive Workshops

The second stage of the Research Grant process is a collaborative step, the deep-dive workshop. Finalists submit their full proposal and then work together with Merck managers and scientists to jointly optimize their submitted project proposal. All teams reaching this stage will be informed in October. The deep-dive workshops are currently scheduled to take place in November and December 2026. The culmination of the deep-dive workshops will be the selection of the research grant winners.

Research Grant Funding

The third stage of the Research Grants process is the Research Grant funding phase. To enable pay-out and project start, Merck enters into bilateral collaboration agreements with the winning recipients. Our collaborative Research Grants are a unique opportunity for researchers who are interested in working with Merck‘s scientists and receiving guidance from industry. During the Research Grant funding period, there will therefore be regular meetings with Merck scientists.

Artificial intelligence in cell culture media and process development

In this category, we invite proposals for robust, host-agnostic, and easy to parameterize models, that enable us to more quickly develop fit-for-purpose solutions for the optimization of bioprocesses for a broad base of host organisms.

In order to predict optimized media feeds for bioprocessing, we aim to use mechanistic and/or hybrid modeling to better understand the nutrient requirements of mammalian cell lines. However, although some advances have been recently demonstrated, it remains challenging to derive generic models for the optimization of upstream bioprocesses.

Recent developments and increase in computational power have opened the path for the application of artificial intelligence in the understanding of complex biological systems such as CHO cells or HEK293 cells used for the manufacturing of protein therapeutics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies. An increase in process efficiency would save resources, making biopharmaceutical drug manufacturing more sustainable and more affordable, assure highest standards of product quality, and allow access to wider patient populations.

Your proposal should include:

a non-confidential description of your model and key parameters relevant for optimizing cell culture media
the proposed data strategy for continuous improvement ensuring the model’s ability to adapt to a range of mammalian host organisms

We are offering up to 1 grant of up up to 150,000 EUR per year for up to 3 years with the possibility of further collaboration.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🔑 1. Strong Alignment with Strategic Research Areas (Top Predictor)

Merck Group prioritizes proposals aligned with its core sectors:

Life Science

Bioprocessing, cell & gene therapy
Biomarkers, diagnostics
Drug development tools

Healthcare

Oncology
Neurology & immunology
Fertility

Electronics

Semiconductor materials
Display technologies

👉 Proposals outside these areas have very low success probability

🧪 2. Innovation with Commercial Potential

Merck strongly favors:

Translational research (bench → application)
Technologies with clear industrial or clinical use
Scalable solutions

👉 Purely theoretical research is less competitive unless highly disruptive

🤝 3. Collaboration Potential (Critical Predictor)

High success rates are seen in:

Academia–industry collaborations
Multi-institutional partnerships
Projects that can evolve into long-term partnerships with Merck

👉 Merck actively seeks co-development opportunities, not just funding outcomes

📊 4. Clear Value Proposition to Merck

Successful proposals clearly answer:

How does this benefit Merck’s pipeline or platforms?
Does it complement existing technologies?

👉 This “strategic fit” is often decisive

🧬 5. Strong Scientific & Technical Feasibility

Well-defined experimental design
Access to required infrastructure
Feasible timelines and milestones

👉 Review panels emphasize deliverability

👩‍🔬 6. Investigator Expertise & Track Record

Strong publications or patents
Prior work in relevant domain
Experience in applied or translational research

👉 Industrial relevance in past work is a major advantage

💰 7. Realistic Budget & Resource Planning

Clearly justified costs
Efficient use of funding
Alignment between budget and outcomes

📈 8. Potential for Intellectual Property (IP)

Patentable outcomes
Novel platforms or processes
Clear IP strategy

👉 IP generation is a key differentiator vs academic grants

🌍 9. Global & Market Relevance

Solutions addressing:
- Large patient populations
- Global healthcare or technology challenges
Market scalability

📑 10. Proposal Clarity & Compliance

Clear structure and concise writing
Adherence to application guidelines
Defined milestones and deliverables

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

Strategic alignment with Merck business areas
Innovation with commercial/industrial potential
Collaboration potential

Moderate predictors:
4. Scientific feasibility
5. Investigator track record
6. IP potential

Supporting factors:
7. Budget clarity
8. Global relevance
9. Proposal quality

💡 Insider Insight

Compared to public funders:

👉 Merck Group funding is business-driven + innovation-focused

“Can this become a product, platform, or partnership?” is central
Projects with co-development or licensing potential perform significantly better

Specialties

Artificial Intelligence

Eligibility Requirements

The EVENT is open and offered only to individuals age eighteen (18) or older at time of application and/or such an individual representing a team of individuals. In case applications are received from Healthcare Professionals and/or representatives of Healthcare Organizations, in addition to these TERMS AND CONDITIONS, the applicable Healthcare Compliance principles, rules and regulations will be followed.1 The EVENT is not open to: (i) employees of SPONSOR and its affiliates; (ii) any employee whose employer’s guidelines or regulations do not allow entry in the EVENT or acceptance of the GRANT; (iii) individuals whose participation in the EVENT may be impacted by applicable sanctions from time to time. The EVENT is void where prohibited or restricted by law. SPONSOR reserves the right to limit, or restrict upon notice, participation in the EVENT for any person who fails to comply with these TERMS AND CONDITIONS. It is the responsibility

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Merck group

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Frankfurter Strasse 250 Darmstadt, 64293

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