Funding news
Funding news
Last updated: Monday 16th February 2026
External Opportunities
Information on previously announced schemes can be found on theCalendar of upcoming Funding OpportunitiesLink opens in a new window.
Deadline: 4 March, 11:00
UK-registered organisations can apply to join an approved provider pool for the BMC Accelerator Programme. Providers may be called upon over a period of up to three years to support programme delivery, subject to specific themes and requirements.
ARIA Accelerated Adaptation programmeLink opens in a new window
Deadline: 6 March 2026 (14:00 GMT)
We’re kicking off a £54m R&D effort to enable wild species to rapidly adapt to current and future environmental threats. The goal is to help focal systems (species, ecosystems, ecological functions) to survive and thrive, and to support the resilience of our natural infrastructure.
This programme is split into five Technical Areas (TAs), each with its own distinct objectives.
- TA1 Systems: Demonstrate accelerated adaptation in specific systems (species, ecosystems, ecological functions).
- TA2 Scaling: Scale the technical capabilities of the tools developed by the system-focused teams to apply to multiple systems. [not in scope for this first funding call]
- TA3 Modelling: Model which species, traits and interventions produce disproportionate ecosystem resilience gains, and quantify risks.
- TA4 Data + analytics: Ensure that claims made by system-focused teams are independently checked and make results comparable, trusted and legible.
- TA5 Ethics + social responsibility: This broad TA could include, but is not limited to, co-developing ESR tools, frameworks and guidance; delivering training to project teams; producing evidence that could inform future governance models/regulatory pathways.
FAQ Webinar: 24 February 2026 (12:30-13:30 GMT) — Register hereLink opens in a new window
Full ADOPT grant: round sixLink opens in a new window
Deadline: 8 April, 11:00
Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects, to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector. This is an Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) grant.
Early independence: BBSRC fellowships: outlineLink opens in a new window
Deadline: 22 April, 16:00
Apply for a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) fellowship to further your career through an early independence research fellowship. If you are interested in either applying, or sponsoring a Fellow, please let Kate Rathbone know ASAP. Please also see the email from Kate Rathbone sent Thursday 12 February, about the UKRI councils’ early independence Fellowships
Parkinson’s UK senior research fellowshipLink opens in a new window
Deadline: 1 July
Our senior research fellowships are for people who want to specialise in Parkinson's research by establishing their own independent research group. These awards provide applicants with up to £300,000 over 3 years in order to set up their own project teams as they develop their careers.
Potential applicants can sign up to our virtual workshop on Thursday 19 March 2026 at 10.00am-11.30am to hear more about how to apply for a senior research fellowship
Internal Opportunities
Information on different internal funding opportunities can be found on the following webpages:
- RIS:https://warwick.ac.uk/services/ris/research-funding-opportunities/
- International:https://warwick.ac.uk/global/currentfunding/Link opens in a new window
BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Account (FTMA)Link opens in a new window
Deadline: 2 March 2026
FTMA funding is available to researchers at the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham until March 2027. The FTMA supports the mobility and external visibility of researchers working in BBSRC remit areas. Applications are particularly welcome from postdoctoral researchers and technicians.
Applications are now open for the following schemes:
- Inward or Outward Policy/Industry Secondments– Up to 20K
- Technician and Postdoctoral FTMA Fellowships– Up to 15K
- International Exchanges- Up to 15K
Please return completed applications toResearch_Impact@warwick.ac.ukby the stated deadline. For any enquiries, please contact Rob Hollingworth (robert.hollingworth@warwick.ac.uk).
Funder Panel Vacancies
For All UKRI Panel vacancies, please see:https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/work-for-us/join-an-advisory-committee-panel-or-network/Link opens in a new window
Join UKRI's research panelLink opens in a new window
We're looking for people to help test and improve UKRI's online products and services. As a panel member, you might be invited to try out new features, talk us through how you use our websites, or complete short online activities. It's a simple way to influence what we create.
Nominations and Award Opportunities
Deadline: 26 February
Our Above & Beyond Awards are your chance to shine a light on the people who make you proud to work at Warwick, and who bring ourvalues Link opens in a new windowto life. Each term, there will be two award winners – one selected by Stuart Croft, our Vice-Chancellor, and one chosen by your votes.
World Cultural Council - 2026 Albert Einstein World Award of ScienceLink opens in a new window
Nominations must be submitted by 1 March
Please consider individuals within your areas for consideration of nomination. Nominees for the Albert Einstein World Award of Science cover the fields of Life Sciences, such as Neuroscience, Earth Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine or Chemistry; or one of the Natural Sciences such as Physics, Mathematics or Astronomy. Further details on nomination can be found here:Nomination RequirementsLink opens in a new window
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine Post-Doctoral Research PrizeLink opens in a new window
Deadline: 27 March 2026
Nominate your fantastic postdoctoral researchers for their outputs in 2025.
Funder News
Setting up more spin-outs for success
The UK research and innovation sector has much to celebrate. It has the leading start-up ecosystem in Europe and is second only to the US in the value generated from university spin-outs. The sector embodies the UK’s ability to advance knowledge, improve lives throughout the country and drive growth in many sectors. Research England has published an independent report by Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer at Cancer Research UK, following his review of relationships between universities and investors, that identifies 20 recommendations to use the UK’s research and innovation as engines for growth.
Targeting gut's immune system could tackle early Parkinson'sLink opens in a new window
New research reveals how Parkinson’s spreads from the gut to the brain, with the help of immune cells, offering a new potential therapeutic strategy.
Finger prick blood test could help diagnose Alzheimer’sLink opens in a new window
Researchers are testing whether a finger prick-style blood test could be used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, even before symptoms begin. The test uses a simple plasma separation card which makes testing cheaper and easier to carry out.
MRC funding updateLink opens in a new window
An update on MRC funding during UKRI’s transition, what’s changing, and the next steps for paused opportunities and reopening timelines.
Plant scientists tackle major threat to UK wheatLink opens in a new window
Ancient wheat collections might hold the secret to tackling a new pathogen strain that could devastate UK wheat crops.
UK biotech start-ups to spark innovations to improve our livesLink opens in a new window
From healthcare to food production, seven biotech start-ups have joined a government-backed business incubator to bring innovations to market and improve lives.
Events
Environmental science community webinar: UKRI investment approachLink opens in a new window
Registration deadline: 25 February
A webinar to explain how UKRI is changing the way some of its investments are directed and how our community can make the most of the new opportunities.