Funding opportunity

Funding opportunity: ERA-NET NEURON Interdisciplinary approaches to the neuroscience of pain

Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Co-funders:
18 other international funders through the European Research Area Networks Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (ERA-NET NEURON)
Funding type:
Grant
Total fund:
£2,000,000
Maximum award:
£312,500
Publication date:
6 February 2025
Opening date:
Closing date:

Apply for funding as part of a transnational consortium of three to five partners to improve knowledge of the neuroscience of pain using interdisciplinary approaches. This is an ERA-NET NEURON Joint Transnational Call. The Medical Research Council (MRC) are one of 19 organisations offering funding through the initiative. The UK part of the project must be within the MRC’s remit.

You must be based at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding.

Funding is available for three years. MRC will support between eight and nine projects.

Who can apply

Before applying, check the funding opportunity documents for more information on eligibility.

Who is eligible to apply

To be eligible to apply for this opportunity you must be employed by a research organisation eligible to receive MRC funding.

For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual.

If you do not have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project, by submitting an application the research organisation is confirming, if it is successful:

  • contracts will be extended beyond the end date of the project
  • all necessary support for you and the project will be provided, including mentorship and career development for early career researchers

Applications must include a minimum of three eligible research partners asking for funding from at least three different countries. No more than two consortium partners can be from the same country.

Five consortium partners maximum are permitted, rising to six if partners from under-represented countries (Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Taiwan and Turkey) are included in the consortium.

Who is not eligible to apply

You are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity as a project lead if you are based at an international research organisation. This does not include project leads from MRC Unit The Gambia or MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

  • career breaks
  • support for people with caring responsibilities
  • flexible working
  • alternative working patterns

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

What we're looking for

Explore the ERA-NET NEURON Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Neuroscience of Pain to see the aims and scope of the funding opportunity.

Research on pain-related aspects of neurodegenerative disorders that are addressed by the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) are out of scope of this funding opportunity.

You must apply as part of a transnational consortium of three to five partners.

You must consider MRC policies within your application.

Duration

The maximum duration of this award is three years.

Funding available

The full economic cost (FEC) of the UK partners’ project can be up to £312,500. This applies to UK partners only.

MRC will fund 80% of the FEC (£250,000) for up to two UK partners per application. Find out more about full economic costing.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.

Further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support, can be found on UKRI’s website.

How to apply

Step one: Read the full opportunity details

Before you prepare an application, please read the full funding opportunity details on the ERA-NET NEURON website.

Step two: Set up your consortium

You must apply as part of a transnational consortium of three to five partners.

Find full consortium criteria in the full funding opportunity details on the ERA-NET NEURON website.

Step three: Submit your pre application

You must apply through the ERA-NET NEURON submission platform. You can access this through the full funding opportunity details on the ERA-NET NEURON website.

The pre-application deadline is 6 March 2025 at 1:00pm UK time (2:00pm CET).

Step four: Submit your full application

Full applications are by invitation only. We will inform selected applicants by Mid-May 2025.

The full application deadline is 26 June 2025 at 1:00pm UK time (2:00pm CEST).

Funding decisions will be made in November 2025.

Step five: Record your successful application

If your application is chosen for funding, you will be asked to submit your application in the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service.

This is so UKRI can administer your funding through the Funding Service. Your application will not be reassessed.

This must be done by 8 January 2026.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.

For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment.

Deadline

ERA-NET NEURON must receive your pre application by 6 March 2025 at 1:00pm UK time (2:00pm CET).

You will not be able to apply after this time.

Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.

Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

Personal data

Processing personal data

The application (including any personal information that it contains) will be shared with MRC so that we can participate in the assessment process.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.

Sensitive information

If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email NMHB@mrc.ukri.org

Include in the subject line: [ERA-NET NEURON JTC2025; sensitive information].

Typical examples of confidential information include:

  • individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)
  • declaration of interest
  • additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section
  • conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection
  • the application is an invited resubmission

For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.

Contact details

Get help with your application

If you have a question and the answers aren’t provided on this page.

Contact details

For help and advice on costings and writing your application please contact your research office in the first instance, allowing sufficient time for your organisation’s submission process.

For questions related to this specific funding opportunity please contact NMHB@mrc.ukri.org

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