There are a number of internal funding sources within the university of Cambridge aimed at supporting research. Below are some examples of these schemes.
Funding to support bid preparation and university contribution to external applications
- Large Grant Contribution Fund: Funding to support the university contribution towards large collaborative funding proposals
- Bid Preparation Fund: Funding to support the preparation of collaborative funding proposals
Funding for pump-priming new research avenues
- School of Technology Seed fund – funding for up to £15K for staff in the School of Technology
- Isaac Newton Trust Research Grants
Funding for impact acceleration and commercialisation
- Impact Acceleration Accounts | Research Strategy Office – funding for Entrepreneurship, technology transfer and commercialisation , Long-term business engagement and partnerships, Policy impact, Social and cultural impact
- Cambridge Enterprise – Technology Investment Fund – Funding to bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercialisation
- HEIF funding - Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) supports knowledge exchange between higher education providers and the wider world that benefits society and the economy. The University ran a call for medium and long term KE strategic activities in March 2025. Calls for time limited and pump priming projects will be provided in May 2025.
Funding for Equipment
- The School of Physical Sciences have a School Equipment Fund to support applications from departments. Information on this scheme is circulated to departments when available.
- Both the School of Technology and the School of Physical Sciences provide matched funding for equipment as part of UKRI applications. For more information see Applying for equipment funding (School of Technology policy)
- The Research Relations Team manage the EPSRC Core Equipment allocation which is awarded to Cambridge every 2 years. Information on this is circulated to departments.
- The Henry Royce Institute at Cambridge provide funding for small equipment in the materials area. They also provide an equipment access scheme.
Funding for Research Culture
- Funding from Research England is allocated via competitive process by the Research Culture Team. For more information contact: researchculture@admin.cam.ac.uk
Funding for new academics
- The Isaac Newton Trust Joint Schools Early Career Support Scheme is on hold for 2025.
Funding for partnership development
- The Interdisciplinary Research Centres and Strategic Research Initiatives and networks sometimes run local calls, so join the networks relevant to you to hear about these.
- The Strategic Partnerships Office oversees a number of research partnerships and initiatives with universities around the world. Here you can find out how to apply to be part of funding calls: Funding Calls
- The Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund - Run through the Cambridge-Africa programme this funds pairs of researchers (post-doctoral level and above) from the University of Cambridge and African institutions looking to establish and/or strengthen research collaborations that address key challenges in climate resilience and sustainability.
- The Business Development Team have a Challenge-led pump priming fund to pump prime academic-business partnerships. For more information see The role of the Business Partnerships team
- The Henry Royce Institute run an Industrial Collaboration Programme
Funding for events
- West Hub Small Grants Programme includes two specific pots:
- West Hub Researchers Fund: Open specifically for Researchers and Post Docs at the University of Cambridge looking to host guest speaker events and socials. Each year there will be one round of funding with up to 8 grants being awarded.
- West Hub Community Fund: Open to all members of the University of Cambridge who are interested in and require assistance with putting on events for the wider community. Each year there will be one round of funding with up to 5 grants being awarded.