Small molecule high throughput screen using AstraZeneca facilities
Medical Research Council (MRC). (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom. Project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Grant funding to support academic researchers in discovering small molecule starting points for medicinal drug development using AstraZeneca's high throughput screening (HTS) facilities, compound library and screening expertise. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
9 Sept 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to support academic researchers in discovering small molecule starting points for medicinal drug development using AstraZeneca's high throughput screening (HTS) facilities, compound library and screening expertise. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, biomedical research, translational medicine. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
No institutional match funding beyond standard UKRI FEC arrangements. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
Project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. MRC Unit The Gambia and MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit are eligible. Applicants must direct and actively participate in the project. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Full economic cost (FEC) up to £270,000 (£250,000 MRC contribution). (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
Up to £1,000,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
£170,000 provided as 100% FEC exception funding for AstraZeneca activities. Up to £100,000 FEC available for research organisation activities funded at 80% FEC. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects seeking small molecule starting points for therapeutic development using AstraZeneca's HTS platform. Includes assay optimisation, pilot screening, full high throughput screening and follow-up validation studies. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- HTS optimisation (£20,000 exception funding), HTS execution (£150,000 exception funding), follow-up assays, staff costs, travel, accommodation and subsistence for researcher placement at AstraZeneca (up to three months), and eligible research organisation costs. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
Up to four projects funded each year. Applications are prioritised based on scientific quality and technical feasibility. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision timeline
UKRI aims to complete assessment and provide funding decisions within three months of the application deadline. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Expert assessment by an assessment panel including AstraZeneca representation to confirm technical feasibility and screening suitability. External peer review is not used. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Summary, Vision, Approach, Applicant and Team Capability, Project Partners, Resources and Cost Justification, Facilities, Data Management and Sharing, Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation, Genetic and Biological Risk, Animal Research and Human Tissue Research (where applicable). (UK Research and Innovation)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Research involving animals template (where applicable). No external peer review attachments required. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if technical feasibility is insufficient, screening criteria are not met, or collaboration requirements are not satisfied. AstraZeneca also confirms no conflicting internal screening programme exists before funding. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
30 Jan 2026
Project duration
Typically 15 months. Minimum 12 months, maximum 18 months. (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- None. AstraZeneca collaborates in assessment and delivery but is not a co-funder. (UK Research and Innovation)
Collaboration rules
- AstraZeneca is a project partner providing HTS capability under a standard collaboration agreement. No additional commercial collaborators are permitted. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-31.
Grant Name
Small molecule high throughput screen using AstraZeneca facilities
Minimum Award
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application Limit
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Research Category
Experimental laboratory research and early-stage therapeutic discovery. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subcontractors
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subsidy Scheme
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Sanctions Rule
Not specified. Standard UKRI funding rules apply. (UK Research and Innovation)
Animal Research Rule
Projects involving animals must comply with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, UKRI animal welfare requirements and overseas animal research guidance where applicable. (UK Research and Innovation)
Interview Stage
No. (UK Research and Innovation)
Key Requirements
Applicants must use AstraZeneca's HTS platform, demonstrate assay feasibility, justify requested resources, and include researcher placement at AstraZeneca unless not viable. Projects must satisfy technical screening criteria. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
There are two funding opportunities each year. AstraZeneca may independently offer to fund an application directly instead of through MRC if considered more appropriate. Researchers are strongly encouraged to spend up to three months embedded at AstraZeneca's Cambridge facilities during the project. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
9 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 9 Sept 2026
- Funding amount
- Full economic cost (FEC) up to £270,000 (£250,000 MRC contribution). (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, biomedical research, translational medicine. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 30 Jan 2026