Interdisciplinary research funding – 2026 call details

In line with the University’s ambition to accelerate the path from research excellence to impact and be known for outstanding interdisciplinary research, University Research Committee is pleased to announce that there will a pump-priming funding call for interdisciplinary research projects which are aligned to one of the priority areas of the four research platforms. 

You can find out more at the call launch taking place on Monday, 12 January, 3:20-4:30pm, at the Nancy Rothwell Building (Blended Th1 (GA.056). Register your attendance now.

The aim of this call is to pump-prime projects which will lead to an increase in successful interdisciplinary research through external research funding applications.  Applications are invited to align with a research platform and one of their priority areas:  

• Creative Manchester priority areas include Creativity, Health and Wellbeing; Creative Industries and Innovation/CreaTech; Creative and Civic Futures.
• Digital Futures priority areas include Digital Society, Digital Health, Digital Economy, Digital Cultures, Digital Worlds and AI@Manchester.
• Sustainable Futures priority areas include Nature, Equity, Materials, Resilience, Energy and Skills.
• Healthier Futures priority areas concentrate on the causes, consequences, and ways to address health inequalities. Healthier Futures focuses on the determinants that empower or inhibit people from leading Healthier Lives in Healthier Places and engaging equitably with Health and Care Services and Systems. Please note that applications should have addressing health inequalities as the main driver of the research challenge. 

Call guidance will be available on the interdisciplinary funding call page from 6 January.

Call deadline:  4pm, 13 March 2026

For inspiration, visit:

• WATCH: Interdisciplinary research – “absolute heaven”
• Discover more from our previous award winners