Pump priming grants for academics and researchers

Apply for grants to support Horizon Europe bids

The British Academy, supported by the Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, and Royal Academy of Engineering, is inviting UK academics and research institutes to apply for pump priming funding to prepare collaborative bids under Horizon Europe Pillar 2. 

The funding aims to 'prime' or kick-start projects by offering grants that cover preliminary activities such as research, networking, proposal development, and collaboration building. It is intended to make it easier for UK applicants to build partnerships with EU and Associated Country entities to improve joint applications for Horizon Europe funding. 

Proposals in all disciplines, including engineering, natural and medical sciences, humanities, and social sciences, are welcome.

Awards of up to £10,000 will be offered to support activities that lead to Horizon Europe applications, with projects required to report on outcomes. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025. 

For more information and to submit expressions of interest, visit the British Academy's website.

First published 2 June 2025