Open and future funding calls

We are the largest dedicated funder of arthritis research in the UK. We fund all stages of research — from discovery science to better understand the mechanisms and causes of arthritis, to health and social care research.

Here, you will find all our currently open and future funding calls. Join us as we accelerate the pace and precision of arthritis research.

Please be aware that calls being launched mid to late 2026 may be impacted by our move to a new grant management system. We will ensure that any potential changes required are published as soon as possible.

Name of call Call description Open status Closing date Duration Costs
Osteoarthritis Treatments Research Consortium

Bringing together expertise from across the UK to advance pharmacotherapeutic treatments. Call and Guidance Documents available.

 Open 16:00 on Wednesday 23 September 2026 Up to 60 months Up to £3 million
Supporting Mental Health for People with Arthritis Research Consortium Bringing together expertise from across the UK to support mental health for people with arthritis. Call and Guidance Documents available. Open 16:00 on Wednesday 9 September 2026 Up to 60 months Up to £3 million

Closed funding calls

Name of call Call description Status Closing date Duration Costs
Bridging Fellowship 2026 Round 2 Up to 2 years of funding for current Arthritis UK fellowship holders who are in the final year of their fellowship. Closed 16:00 on Wednesday 8 July 2026 Up to 24 months Up to £150,000
Living Well 2026 We expect to invest around £2 million in projects which address unmet needs for people with arthritis. Closed 16:00 on Wednesday 24 June 2026 Up to 36 months Between £400,000 to £1,000,000
Career Development Fellowship 2027 Our enhanced Career Development Fellowship aims to attract and retain talented researchers committed to a career in any discipline relevant to arthritis. Closed 16:00 on Wednesday 3 June 2026 Up to 60 months Up to £750,000
Early Detection and Targeted Treatments 2026 We expect to invest around £3 million in projects which aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. Closed 16:00 on Wednesday 3 June 2026 Up to 60 months Between £100,000 to £1,200,000
AMS Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers Round 35 These grants provide up to £40,000 over 1-2 years for research costs, to support Clinical Lecturers who are looking to develop and strengthen their research careers. Closed 16:00 Thursday 26 February 2026 12 to 24 months Up to £40,000
Research Facilitation Fund 2026 We will invest around £0.5m in supporting resources that are hard to obtain and will facilitate impactful research. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 11 February 2026 Up to 60 months £50,000 - £250,000
Bridging Fellowship 2026 Up to 2 years of funding for current Arthritis UK fellowship holders who are in the final year of their fellowship. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 14 January 2026 Up to 24 months Up to £150,000
Translational Call 2026 We will invest around £1 million in Translational MSK research. Our Translational funding scheme aims to progress the development of novel, innovative technologies towards clinical development for the benefit of people with arthritis. Closed October 2025 (outlines) Up to 24 months Up to £250,000
Osteoarthritis Research Consortium 2025 We will invest in a new consortium bringing together expertise from across the UK to further our understanding of osteoarthritis. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 25 June 2025 Up to 60 months Up to £3 million
Inflammatory Arthritis Research Consortium 2025 Round 2 We will invest in a new consortium bringing together expertise from across the UK to further our understanding of inflammatory arthritis. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 25 June 2025 Up to 60 months Up to £3 million
Career Development Fellowships 2026 Our enhanced Career Development Fellowship aims to attract and retain talented researchers committed to a career in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 21 May 2025 Up to 60 months £750,000
Early Detection and Targeted Treatments 2025 Round 2 We will invest around £3 million in projects which aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. Closed 16:00 Wednesday 14 May 2025 Up to 60 months Between £100,000 to £1,200,000

Questions? Contact the Awards team

If you have any queries about any of our closed funding calls, you can contact the Arthritis UK Research Awards team. Email awards@arthritis-uk.org

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