This funding opportunity, offered by the Medical Research Council (MRC), aims to support academic researchers in discovering potential starting points for small molecule medicinal drugs.

The program provides access to AstraZeneca's extensive compound library and state-of-the-art high-throughput screening facilities.

The initiative aims to facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches for various diseases, with a particular focus on autoimmunity and motor neurone disease targets.

Scope of Work

The funding opportunity supports academic researchers in discovering potential starting points for small molecule medicinal drugs.

Researchers will have access to AstraZeneca's compound library and high-throughput screening facilities.

The program prioritizes projects related to autoimmunity and motor neurone disease targets, but remains open to all targets.

AstraZeneca may offer to fund a project in its entirety if they deem it appropriate, but applicants can still seek MRC support if they decline this offer.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be researchers employed by an eligible research organization.

Research applications led by commercial entities are not eligible.

International research organizations are not eligible to apply as project leads, except for MRC Unit The Gambia and MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Budget and Duration

The maximum award is £270,000, with a typical duration of 15 months.

The MRC will fund 100% of the full economic cost (FEC) for work conducted at AstraZeneca and 80% FEC for work conducted at the research organization or related to staff costs, subsistence, and travel.

The funding covers costs related to staff and consumables incurred at AstraZeneca for the optimization and execution of the HTS.

Additional Information

The program encourages researchers from the host institution to embed themselves at AstraZeneca facilities in Cambridge for up to three months to assist with assay establishment and HTS.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) principles and expects applicants to demonstrate compliance with UKRI's approach towards TR&I.

Key Dates

• Opening Date: 31 October 2024, 9:00 am UK time

• Closing Date: 16 January 2025, 4:00 pm UK time

• Funding Decision Meeting: March 2025

• Informed of Funding Decisions: Within 10 working days of the funding decision meeting

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.