Internal funding sources

SPS&T Early Career Support Scheme (SPS&T ECSS)

Start-up funding for newly appointed assistant and associate professors in the Schools of Physical Sciences and Technology. The scheme is run by the Research Relations Team (RRT). The scheme offers up to £60,000 – where 50% will be covered by ECSS, and the remaining 50% must be provided by the hosting Department.

Deadline: Applications close on 12 November 2026.

School of Technology Seed Fund

For researchers in School of Technology departments. It covers activities that could lead to substantial further research income or to new collaboration between departments. Up to £15,000 per project is available. Applications can be submitted at any time, and are assessed at the next School Research Committee meeting. Check the fund webpage for exact cut-off dates. 

Accelerate-C2D3 funding for applications of AI

Small grants for researchers in any discipline who want to use AI in their research. Projects must advance the use of AI in research or real-world applications. The scheme is run by the Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery and the Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery (C2D3). Typically, one call a year, with the last call closing in September 2025. 

 

Bid Preparation Fund

Helps with the cost of putting together a collaborative application – such as convening collaborators, holding workshops, creating bid materials, or to cover consultancy fees. The scheme is run by the Research Funding Development team, Research Strategy Office. The fund offers typically up to £10,000 per proposal. It is always open – and decisions usually take about two weeks.

Large Grant Contributions Fund

An institutional contribution to create added value for large collaborative applications. Applications should include one or more external collaborators or partners. To be eligible, the application should be worth over £5M in STEM disciplines, or over £1M in arts, humanities and social sciences. Funding is typically provided for areas where it is not easy to get funds – such as widening participation and inclusion, developing links, and working with less advantaged partners. PIs can apply for up to 10% of the total award value. The fund is always open – and PIs should apply no later than 20 working days before the funder's deadline.

NB: For the support RRT offers for large and strategic bids, see Large & Strategic Grant Support.

Matched funding for equipment in grant applications

Both Schools can contribute towards the cost of equipment in UKRI grant applications. Please speak to Finance Business Partners in each School (contact details for SPS and SoT) for more details. 

EPSRC Core Equipment

An allocation from EPSRC to the University, managed by the Research Relations Team (RRT). Details are sent to departments when a call opens – typically every two years in the summer. The next round is expected in 2028.

Henry Royce Institute

For materials research. Royce funds researchers and students at UK universities to use its equipment. The equipment is spread across Royce's partner sites around the UK, and you apply to the site that has what you need. Royce at Cambridge (royce@maxwell.cam.ac.uk) can advise on which scheme might fit your needs best.

 

Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAA)

Funding from the UKRI research councils, managed by the Research Strategy Office. IAAs are strategic awards provided to institutions to support knowledge exchange (KE) and impact. Calls are typically announced by email – but you can also check dedicated SharePoint sites per council. The schemes most relevant to researchers in our two Schools include BBSRC IAA, EPSRC IAA, and Social Sciences Impact Fund. 

Cambridge Enterprise Technology Investment Fund

The fund bridges the gap between early-stage research and commercialisation – proof-of-concept funding to speed up technology development. It covers costs of activities such as prototype development, market research, or regulatory consultancy, on projects of up to 12 months. It is open to anyone employed by the University who opts in to work with Cambridge Enterprise on commercialisation. The fund is always open – and  you start with an expression of interest (link available on the fund page).

Policy Innovation Fund
This initiative enables researchers to collaborate with policy professionals to address pressing public policy challenges. The main aim of the fund is to help researchers, particularly early career researchers, to develop, test, and carry out innovative policy engagement activities. The proposed activity may build on a continuing project – or mark the start of a completely new initiative. The fund is run by the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP). The next round of funding will reopen in April 2027.

Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IRCs) and Strategic Research Initiatives (SRIs)

Some IRCs and SRIs run their own small calls for their members. Join the ones relevant to you to hear about them. The list of current centres, initiatives, and networks is available on the Research Office's webpage Cross-school and interdisciplinary initiatives. 

International partnership calls

The University has partnerships with universities around the world, and several of them run joint funding calls. Open and recent calls are listed on the Global Cambridge webpage.

Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund

This scheme funds pairs of researchers, one at Cambridge and one at an African university or research institution. The aim of the funding is to start or strengthen a collaboration on climate resilience and sustainability. It is open to all subject areas. There is one round a year, and the programme will run until 2029.

Henry Royce Institute Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP)

The Industrial Collaboration Programme offers grant funding for research, development, and innovation sprint projects that address key national materials challenges. To be eligible, the project must include at least one company and at least one university or research organisation. The scheme runs in rounds – and the last one closed in February 2026.

Emergency Bridge & Underwriting

This funding call helps the University retain exceptional researchers during a gap in funding. It covers a researcher's salary for up to six months. Applications can request up to £30,000. The call opens once each term.

Strategic Research Projects

This scheme is for projects of strategic value to the University. Research projects should aim to be transformational with a prospect of longevity and financial sustainability. Trustees are interested to see applications which create new forms of collaboration. Applications can request up to £600,000 for projects of up to 5 years. There is typically only one call per year – and those interested in applying should first meet the Trust's Director in Michaelmas Term to discuss.

Enhancing Research Culture Fund
For projects that improve research culture in the University, in areas such as reward & recognition, EDI, careers & professional development, open research and collaboration, positive research leadership, and inclusive and safe working environments. The scheme is run by the Research Culture Team, who can be contacted at researchculture@admin.cam.ac.uk. The last call closed in September 2025. 

West Hub Small Grants Programme

The Programme offers funds to host social events at the West Hub. This is available through two funding pots. There is one round a year – and the most recent one closed in September 2026.

Researchers Fund: Open to postdocs and researchers running talks with guest speakers and social events that encourage cross-departmental interactions. 

Community Fund: Open to any member of the University running an event for the wider community.