Category: Funding, Studentships & Awards

Applications for DT Prime Cohort 5 Open – Deadline 19th September

Applications for DT Prime Cohort 5 Open – Deadline 19th September

DT Prime is particularly suited for staff-led ventures that require time, technical validation, and strategic support to reach commercial viability.  Built around the specific demands of life science and deep tech, DT Prime management works with Imperial’s researchers to provide a combination of non-dilutive funding and tailored support from experienced venture builders.

Who Should Apply? 

We welcome applications from Imperial researchers working on IP-rich, translationally relevant technologies across all domains – from biotech and engineering to computing, chemistry, and the physical sciences.

You should consider applying if:

  • Your project is at or beyond proof of concept
  • You’re interested in translation but don’t yet have a business plan or full IP strategy
  • There’s a clear technical or commercial risk that, if addressed, could make the project more investable
  • You’re open to working with experienced Venture Builders to shape your direction

If you are interested you can submit your expression of interest here!

MedTech Super Connector – Cohort 3 Musculo-Skeletal Innovation Accelerator – Deadline 28 September 2025 (23:59)

MedTech Super Connector – Cohort 3 Musculo-Skeletal Innovation Accelerator – Deadline 28th September

MedTech SuperConnector, with the support of Orthopaedic Research UK, is proud to deliver the MSK Innovation Accelerator Programme Cohort Three. This six-month intensive entrepreneurial and evidence generation skills development programme is open to all early career researchers, PhD, postdocs, clinical innovators, and SME candidates with research that they hope to translate into a MedTech innovation.

Receive over £80,000 worth of academic and commercialisation support from one of the world’s leading Universities. Unlike some accelerators, our MSK programme is available to eligible participants without any requirement for you to part with equity or any joining fees.

Please submit your completed application by 23:59 on Sunday September 28, 2025. Any applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

All information about the programme and how to apply here!

Become a Scientist Founder with Wilbe (BSF) – Now Live!

Become a Scientist Founder by Wilbe is live!

A free, open-access platform to help scientists and engineers move from research to enduring real-world impact with speed and precision.
Inside you’ll find:

  • A guided path to explore entrepreneurship, lay foundations, or build a company in 10 days.
  • A private community + weekly office hourswith the Wilbe team.
  • Access to curated events, lab space, and the wider Wilbe ecosystem.

Start now: wilbe.com

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Become a Scientist Founder by @wilbe_science is live!

A free, open-access platform helping scientists + engineers turn research into real-world impact with speed and precision.

  • 10-day guided path
  • Community + office hours
  • Events, labs, ecosystem

wilbe.com

Leverhulme Centenary Doctoral Scholarships (deadline: 19 Nov 2025)

The Leverhulme Trust will open the next round of its Centenary Doctoral Scholarships programme on Monday 3 November 2025, offering up to £5 million to fund 30 interdisciplinary doctoral scholarships. The call will close in March 2026. Full details are available on the Leverhulme Trust website.

Internal Selection Process

Imperial may only submit one application as lead institution. Each department may nominate one proposal for internal shortlisting, submitted via the attached template to researchoffice.fundingstrategy@imperial.ac.uk by the Director of Postgraduate Studies or delegate.

Key Dates

  • Wednesday 19 November 2025 – Internal submission deadline
  • Monday 1 December 2025 – Review and selection by Research Advisory Group
  • Post-1 December 2025 – Outcomes shared with departments
  • December 2025 – March 2026 – Final proposal preparation and institutional approvals
  • March 2026 – Leverhulme submission deadline

For queries, please contact Suzanne Husein or your Director of Postgraduate Studies (or delegate).

IX-WAI Early Career Development Grant (deadline: 30 Sept 2025)

We are excited to announce that the I-X Women in AI Network’s Early Career Development Grant Round 4 is now open for applications.

We encourage women and non-binary individuals pursuing their Master’s, PhD, or Postdoc at Imperial College London to apply. The grant is designed to support conference attendance, training, and other professional development opportunities. Whether you are already working in AI or aspiring to enter the field, this funding can help you take the next step in your journey!

Deadline: 30 September 2025

Please note: the activity for which you are applying must take place at least one month after the application deadline. If you have already been awarded the grant, you are not eligible to apply again.

Find out more and apply for the grant here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ix-ai-in-science/i-x-women-in-ai-network/

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards – Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UKs Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards recognise researchers tackling cancer with an entrepreneurial mindset. These Awards are ideal for those exploring the next steps in their careers or developing start-ups in this space.

Winners gain funding, increased visibility for their work, and access to a network of industry professionals, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs. Nominations are now open, with a deadline of 17 March.

Find out more and nominate here.

Postgraduate Climate-Conscious Travel Fund

Postgraduate Climate-Conscious Travel Fund 

Postgraduate climate-conscious travel fund guidance document

The Postgraduate climate-conscious travel fund is designed to help postgraduate students make more sustainable travel choices by compensating for the higher costs involved. If you are a postgraduate student and wish to apply, please review the guidance document linked above which provides more detail on what the fund covers, and complete the application form. 

Find out more about sustainable travel on the Imperial website: Sustainable travel | About | Imperial College London

Merck Research Grants

2021 Merck research grants – Merck Research Grants

This year we are offering research grants of 40k€ – 450k€ per year for up to 3 years in the areas of: drug discovery, real time testing and sensors, nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery, digital innovation, bioelectronics, sustainability, media recycling for cultured meat, organoids

Find out more details and apply today at:

http://researchgrants.merckgroup.com (for world except U.S. and Canada)
http://researchgrants.emdgroup.com (for U.S. and Canada)

 

 

Advanced Research Opportunities Program (AROP)

We have recently established a new scholarship which can be used for PhD students and Post-Docs wanting to conduct research stays at RWTH Aachen University. The “Advanced Research Opportunities Program (AROP)” offers a travel grant of 1.000€ (lump sum) and a monthly stipend of 1.800€ for a period of up to 6 months.
The goal of the program is to strengthen and intensify bilateral relations between RWTH Aachen University and international universities and research institutions of strategic relevance. Among other purposes, the research stays may be used to prepare joint research projects and publications, initiate joint projects in the field of capacity building, develop teaching projects at the partner university, and organize future visits and student exchange programs.

More information on the program can be found here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with Dr. Daniel Holder.