Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the University of Manchester siteSearch Menu StaffNet

MAHSC COVID-19 Philanthropic Pump Priming Awards

14 Oct 2020

A special research fund is now open for applications

Following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University's Division of Development and Alumni Relations launched a fundraising effort to support the University’s medical research response. The appeal focussed on securing funding in line with the priority areas below, including vaccine development and clinical trials, understanding the body’s immune and inflammatory response, and designing novel therapeutics and care pathways.  

As a result of the appeal, we have been able to establish a special research fund which is now open for applications.

This research fund is intended to enhance what our scientists are able to deliver, providing the flexibility to think laterally, to be innovative and take risks, and build data in a timely manner for large-scale external grant applications. 

Research can be linked to the University’s COVID-19 priority areas:

  • Clinical Trials
  • Mechanisms of Disease – e.g. Immunophenotyping, Virology, Opportunistic/secondary infection, Long-term Sequelae
  • Data Analysis
  • Patients with Chronic Illnesses
  • Public Health, Epidemiology and Mental Health
  • New Diagnostics
  • Prevention and Vaccination
  • Global Health
  • Organisational Development

Terms and Conditions 

  • Applications must be led by a University of Manchester investigator from any of the three faculties but can involve co-investigators from across other MAHSC (Manchester Academic Health Science Centre) partners.
  • The fund will support approximately 10 projects up to £50K in value.
  • The research needs to be pump-priming in spirit and deliverable now.
  • Provide a clear plan for how further, more comprehensive external funding will be sought (this is not restricted to COVID-19 funding calls). We are very interested in pump-priming UKRI grants e.g. where COVID-19 might be an example within a broader biological or social mechanism. Applications that do not demonstrate this will not be considered for funding.
  • Applications should include timelines for when further funding will be sought.
  • The projects to which funds are allocated will be reported to donors and therefore recipients will be required to work with the Division of Development & Alumni Relations to update on progress and any resulting activity.
  • Recipients may be asked to engage with donors and have their projects featured in donor communications

The Research Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the University’s Research Rapid Response Operations Group that has representation from across all three Faculties. 

Deadline:  Please submit your application to covid19research@manchester.ac.uk by Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Further information

For further information, please visit: