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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant, 'Pilot projects with the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative', aims to foster and strengthen collaborations within the UK Human Functional Genomics (FGx) Initiative. It provides funding for feasibility, pilot, or initial studies that generate preliminary data. The ultimate goal is to enable applicants to develop competitive, collaborative grant proposals for larger, longer-term projects. The grant targets UK research organisations eligible for Medical Research Council (MRC) funding, specifically academics and researchers. It also encourages collaboration with industrial partners. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant focused on functional genomics and related fields within the life sciences and technology sectors. Geographically, it is primarily open to organisations based in the UK, with specific exceptions for MRC units in The Gambia and Uganda. This funding opportunity represents the 'first set of Innovation and Collaboration funding awards' within the FGx Initiative, suggesting a programmatic context for ongoing support.

Financial Structure

The financial aspects of the 'Pilot projects with the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative' are structured as follows:

Award Range: Individual project awards can range from a minimum of £15,000 to a maximum of £100,000 (GBP).
Funding Rate: Funded projects will receive 100% of the agreed direct project costs for academic-only proposals.
Co-financing/Matching Funds: For projects involving an industrial partner, matched funding (which can be cash and/or in-kind contributions) is expected from the industrial partner.
Eligible Costs: The grant may be used to support:
- Direct project costs: This includes 100% of directly incurred and directly allocated project costs.
- Staff time: Costs associated with personnel directly working on the project.
- Travel and subsistence: Expenses for travel and accommodation related to the project activities.
- Networking activities: Costs associated with activities that build and strengthen collaborations within the FGx community.
Ineligible Costs: This grant cannot be used to support:
- Duplication of funding: Any activities already funded or better suited for other funding sources.
- Indirect or estates costs: Overheads or facility costs at the research organisation.
- Intellectual Property (IP) protection: Costs for registering, maintaining, or supporting patents or property rights.
- High-value equipment: Any single piece of equipment with a value of £10,000 or more.
- Student activities/training: Undergraduate or postgraduate activities, core PhD training, tuition fees, or bench fees.
- Existing Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs): Contributions to pre-existing KTPs.
Financial Guarantees: No specific financial guarantees are mentioned, but the expectation of matched funding from industrial partners implies a commitment from their side.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for this grant, you must meet the following hard eligibility criteria:

Eligible Organizations: You must be based at a UK research organisation that is eligible for Medical Research Council (MRC) funding. Academics from UK Higher Education Institutions are specifically mentioned as eligible.
Applicant Role: You can apply either as an independent researcher or in collaboration with an industrial partner.
MRC Funding Status: You do not need to be currently MRC funded to apply for this specific opportunity.
Geographic Location: The primary location for the project lead's organisation must be the UK. The only exceptions for project leads based outside the UK are those from the MRC Unit The Gambia or the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Ineligible Applicants: You are not eligible to apply as a project lead if you are based at an international research organisation (with the specific exceptions noted above).
Industrial Partner Requirement: If applying with an industrial partner, matched funding is expected from the industrial partner. The type of matched funding (cash and/or in-kind) is not specified in detail but is generally common for such collaborations.
Career Stage: While not explicitly defined, the emphasis on 'independent researcher' and 'track record' implies a certain level of established academic or research standing.

Application Process

Applying for the 'Pilot projects with the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative' involves the following practical steps and timelines:

Application Submission Window: The call opened on 9 July 2025 at 9:00 AM UK time.
Application Deadline: The final deadline for submissions is 29 September 2025 at 11:59 PM UK time.
Application Procedure: Applications are collected through a dedicated form hosted on the FGx initiative website. Once completed, the application form and any supporting documents must be emailed to [email protected].
Required Documentation and Materials: The primary requirement is the application form itself. Applicants also have the option to attach additional information, which may include:
- Images related to the scientific proposal.
- Detailed budget breakdown.
- Letters of support or collaboration.
- These additional materials should be in an appropriate file format (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .jpeg).
Project Duration: Successful projects are expected to run for a duration of between three (3) and twelve (12) months.
Project Start Date: Projects should commence within three months of being awarded.
Reporting Obligations: While specific reporting frequency or detailed mechanisms are not explicitly stated, all grants typically require some form of progress and financial reporting. The focus on generating preliminary data for future grant proposals implies an expectation of a clear outcome report from the pilot phase.
Application Assistance: For any questions regarding the application process, you can contact [email protected]. They aim to respond to inquiries within three working days.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for the 'Pilot projects with the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative' will be assessed based on the following key criteria:

Scientific Importance & Technology Applicability: The proposal's core scientific question or the applicability of the technology to be developed will be critically evaluated for its significance and relevance.
Alignment with UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative Mission: A strong emphasis is placed on how well the project aligns with the overall mission of the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative. The assessment will also consider the benefits the proposed project will bring to the initiative and its wider community.
Applicant Track Record and Support: The applicant's previous research and scientific achievements (their 'track record') will be assessed. The strength of the support provided by their host institution, including available facilities, will also be a significant factor.
Value for Money: The proposed budget and expenditure will be scrutinized to ensure it represents efficient and appropriate use of grant funds relative to the expected outputs and impact.
Potential Impact on Wider Functional Genomics Field: The grant aims to support projects that can contribute significantly to the broader functional genomics field. This includes the potential for the preliminary data generated to lead to larger, more competitive grant proposals, and overall advancement of the field.

There are no explicit scoring systems or weighting provided for these criteria, but all are critical for a successful application. The grant also emphasizes equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from a diverse range of researchers, and supporting flexible working, which may be indirectly considered in the 'applicant track record and support' or overall assessment of project team quality.

Compliance & Special Requirements

This grant opportunity includes several compliance and special considerations to be aware of:

Focus on Collaboration: A primary objective is to 'build and strengthen collaborations' within the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative and its broader community. This is not just a project outcome but a fundamental aspect of the grant's design.
Two Funding Routes: Applicants can choose between two distinct routes:
- Academic only projects: These are for researchers based at UK universities and research institutes.
- Academic with an industrial partner: This route specifically encourages links with industrial partners, who are expected to provide matched funding.
Pilot/Feasibility Study Nature: The funding is specifically for feasibility, pilot, or initial studies. The expectation is to generate preliminary data and explore ideas that will support the development of larger, more competitive collaborative grant proposals in the future. This is not for full-scale implementation projects.
Intellectual Property (IP) Policies: The grant explicitly states that costs relating to Intellectual Property protection (including registering, maintaining, or supporting patents or property rights) are ineligible. This indicates that the grant itself does not cover the formal protection of IP generated, and applicants should consider how IP will be managed through other means or agreements, especially with industrial partners.
Ethical Standards: While not explicitly detailed, research involving human functional genomics implies adherence to high ethical standards and regulatory compliance for human research, which would be expected from eligible UK research organisations.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): The funders are committed to achieving equality of opportunity and encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. They support flexible working arrangements and provide disability and accessibility support for applicants and grant holders.
Technology Priming: Projects focused on 'technology priming' that support the FGx initiative, the functional genomics screening lab (FGSL), or specific research clusters are particularly welcomed.

Grant Details