Small molecule high throughput screen using AstraZeneca facilities
Medical Research Council (MRC) · United Kingdom
Funding supports academic researchers to run high throughput screening (HTS) using AstraZeneca’s compound library and screening facilities to identify potential starting points for small molecule drug discovery.
Summary
Deadline
8 Sept 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding supports academic researchers to run high throughput screening (HTS) using AstraZeneca’s compound library and screening facilities to identify potential starting points for small molecule drug discovery.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Sector agnostic
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Researchers based at eligible organisations who will lead and actively contribute to the project UK university or research organisation eligible for MRC/UKRI funding accessing AstraZeneca screening facilities. High throughput screening projects aimed at discovering starting points for small molecule medicines
Eligible applicants
Researchers based at eligible organisations who will lead and actively contribute to the project
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£1,000,000
Total fund available
£1,000,000
Funding intensity
100% FEC at AstraZeneca; 80% FEC for research organisation costs.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
High throughput screening projects aimed at discovering starting points for small molecule medicines
Eligible expenses
- Costs for assay optimisation, HTS execution, staff and consumables at AstraZeneca, travel and subsistence, and related screening activities
Ineligible costs
- Conference attendance costs
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Assessment by expert panel with AstraZeneca involvement to confirm feasibility and alignment
Timeline and partners
Opening date
30 Jan 2026
Project duration
12 to 18 months (typically 15 months)
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Project leads based at international research organisations are not eligible (with specific MRC unit exceptions)
Consortium requirements
- Single lead research organisation; AstraZeneca facility access partnership.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"Up to £270,000 per project; 100% FEC for AstraZeneca-based work and 80% FEC for research organisation costs"},{"label":"important notes","value":"Up to four projects funded per year; projects typically last 12 to 18 months; AstraZeneca may fully fund selected projects independently; researchers may be required to work on-site at AstraZeneca facilities"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 8 Sept 2026
- Funding amount
- £1,000,000
- Funding band
- Small (£50k-£500k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Sector agnostic
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 30 Jan 2026