Discipline Hopping grant

The scheme is designed to encourage researchers to develop imaginative ways of using techniques or expertise from the engineering and physical sciences to tackle biological, medical or natural sciences research questions.

Short-term support is provided to pump-prime interdisciplinary research, with the aim of fostering longer-term collaborations between engineering and the physical and life sciences.

The grant scheme is run by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Eligibility

Open to any UK-based researcher who can demonstrate a proven track record in their own scientific field and are working in a UK research institution.

Research topics

The remit of the scheme is deliberately very broad and the emphasis is on the hopping activity itself.

Successful past applicants have involved physical science disciplines, from engineering and chemistry to mathematics, and covered a range of biological and medical applications.

Type of funding

At least £1.5 million is available for funding applications under this scheme. It is anticipated that most applications will be below £125,000 in total, including FEC (MRC will pay 80 per cent of the full economic costs of the application).

Grants can last from three months to a year.

Applying

This is an annual competition and the deadline for 2009 is 18 November. Proposals must be submitted through the MRC EAA system by 4pm on this date.

Visit the MRC website for full call and application details.