£50 million of taxpayer funding available to research novel blood products to improve treatment in emergency and trauma care
A £50 million taxpayer funding opportunity is available for the development of a novel blood products research centre, set to benefit armed forces on the frontline over the next 14 years.
Novel blood products research aims to improve treatment in emergency and trauma care and address current critical blood product challenges nationally.
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The funding opportunity is being delivered by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in partnership with MOD’s Defence Medical Services and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
Research applications are invited to advance the development of novel blood products which include a focus on current and future challenges such as:
Blood transfusions are critically important, including in emergency situations such as trauma-related haemorrhage, blood disorders such as anaemia, and treatment-related complications including cancer.
The existing supply chain is fragile due to a shortage of blood donors. Each of the UK’s four nations relies on a single provider to meet demand, while successful transfusions require blood from compatible, cross-matched donors to avoid reactions.
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Global challenges including blood products that have specific requirements for storage, handling and shelf-life are exacerbated in a warfighting at scale scenario, where access to specialist biomedical support, state-of-the-art facilities and cold-chain storage may be limited, and geography may prevent blood provision close to the point of need.
Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl Chief Executive, said:
Director General of the Defence Medical Services, Air Marshal Clare Walton, said:
Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of MRC, said:
How to Apply
Outline proposals must be submitted by 4 February 2026. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal in autumn 2026, with the outcome of the funding opportunity expected in spring 2027.
Interested parties are invited to attend a webinar on 25 November. Further information and details on how to apply are available at: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-four-outline-application.