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Collaborate with the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative

UK Research and Innovation

Opportunity status:

Open

Funders:

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Co-funders:

UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative

Funding type:

Grant

Award range:

£15,000 - £100,000

Publication date:

20 July 2026

Opening date:

1 April 2026 9:00am UK time

Closing date:

1 November 2026 11:59pm UK time

Apply for an Academic and Industry Partnership award as part of the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative’s (FGx) Innovation and Collaboration fund. The awards will enable the development of links between industrial partners and the FGx.

These awards can be used to support feasibility, pilot or initial studies to provide preliminary experiments to explore ideas and generate initial data which could support the development of competitive collaborative grant proposals for longer term projects.

You must be based at a UK research organisation to be eligible for this funding.

Scope

The projects should build and strengthen collaborations across the Initiative and the UK through feasibility, pilot or initial studies to provide preliminary experiments to explore ideas and generate initial data which could support the development of competitive collaborative grant proposals for longer term projects.

Areas of potential interest include (but are not limited to):

generation of novel functional genomic annotations in disease-relevant cell types
development of novel methods, functional perturbation of disease systems
development of models for functional genomics, data science and computational approaches for functional genomics

Technology priming projects that support the initiative, functional genomics screening lab or a specific research cluster are welcome.

Projects that offer to bring in specific knowledge or contributions to the initiative are encouraged.

What we will fund

This grant may be used to support the following:

direct project costs: 100% directly incurred and directly allocated project costs can be claimed, including staff time, travel and subsistence on the individual feasibility or pilot projects
costs of networking activities, including travel and subsistence

What we will not fund

This grant may not be used to support:

duplication of other sources of funding that would be more appropriate for the activity to be funded
indirect or estates costs at the research organisation
any costs relating to intellectual property protection including but not limited to registering, maintaining, or supporting patents or property rights
equipment with a value of £10,000 or more
undergraduate or postgraduate activities or training, or core PhD training including tuition or bench fees
contributions to existing knowledge transfer partnerships

Matched funding

Industrial partners will be expected to provide matched funding (cash, in-kind or both).

Start date

Projects should start within three months of being awarded.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Alignment with the specific funding opportunity (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important predictor.

Competitive proposals closely match:

The objectives of the funding opportunity
Council-specific priorities (e.g., MRC, EPSRC, ESRC)
Eligibility requirements
Scope and remit
Assessment criteria

A scientifically excellent proposal that does not fit the published scope is unlikely to be funded.

2. Research excellence and importance (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

UKRI evaluates whether the research:

Addresses an important problem
Advances knowledge significantly
Is intellectually ambitious
Has the potential to influence the field

Reviewers assess the originality, significance, and quality of the proposed research.

3. Innovation and originality (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive proposals typically demonstrate:

Novel concepts
Innovative methodologies
Creative approaches
Transformative ideas
High scientific ambition

UKRI supports both curiosity-driven discovery research and innovative applied research, depending on the funding opportunity.

4. Strong methodology and feasibility (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Applications should provide:

Well-defined objectives
Robust study design
Appropriate analytical methods
Risk management strategies
Realistic timelines
Clearly justified resources

Reviewers expect a convincing plan for delivering the proposed work.

5. Applicant and team capability (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

UKRI's assessment framework places strong emphasis on the ability of the applicant and team to deliver the project.

Competitive teams demonstrate:

Relevant expertise
Strong publication record
Leadership experience
Complementary skills
Appropriate collaborations

For early-career schemes, reviewers evaluate potential rather than only past achievements.

6. Positive research environment and institutional support (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers consider whether the research environment provides:

Appropriate infrastructure
Institutional commitment
Access to facilities
Mentoring (where applicable)
Technical support
Collaborative opportunities

The host organization should clearly demonstrate its ability to support successful project delivery.

7. Potential impact and pathways to impact (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Although UKRI has moved away from the separate "Pathways to Impact" document, proposals are still expected to explain how the research could generate benefits.

Competitive applications describe potential impacts such as:

Improvements to health
Economic growth
Environmental sustainability
Public policy
Industry innovation
Societal benefit
Cultural impact

The expected impact should be appropriate to the research stage and funding opportunity.

8. Interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

UKRI increasingly encourages interdisciplinary research.

Competitive projects often involve:

Multiple research disciplines
Industry partners
NHS organizations
Government agencies
International collaborators
Public and third-sector organizations

Cross-sector collaboration is especially important for large strategic and challenge-led programs.

9. Responsible research and innovation (RRI), equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and open research (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

UKRI expects applicants to consider:

Responsible research and innovation
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
Ethical issues
Environmental sustainability
Open research practices
Data sharing and management

These considerations strengthen the overall quality and credibility of the proposal.

10. Realistic resources and value for money (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Reviewers assess whether:

The requested budget is appropriate
Resources are well justified
Staffing is realistic
Equipment requests are necessary
The project offers good value for public funding

Strong justification of resources is an important component of UKRI review.

Specialties

Genetics & Genomics

Eligibility Requirements

To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. Check if your organisation is eligible.

You must be a researcher eligible for Medical Research Council (MRC) funding. You can apply as an independent researcher with collaboration from an industrial partner.

You do not need to be MRC funded to apply.

Eligible Countries:

United Kingdom

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: UK Research and Innovation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FL

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