The Cell Therapy Catapult, focused on the development of the U.K. cell therapy industry, has collaborated with the U.K. Regenerative Medicine Platform, the Knowledge Transfer Network and the Association of Medical Research Charities to develop a database of U.K. cell therapy research funding.

The database has identified over 100 sources of funding from 34 organizations, totaling over $4.7 billion for which cell therapies are believed to be eligible; of this around $157 million is earmarked specifically for the sector. Fully searchable, it is designed to help researchers quickly and accurately identify appropriate sources of funding for their work, as well as provide an up-to-date snapshot of the U.K. environment.

Data was collected in the first half of 2014 from the research councils, medical research charities, other U.K. government-funded organizations (such as the U.K.'s innovation agency, Innovate U.K. and the National Institute for Health Research) and E.U. bodies. With each funding scheme categorized by research stage, eligibility criteria, therapeutic area and closing date, the database lists schemes opened for submission in July and will be updated regularly. Grants in the database cover a broad size range, with the smallest at $7,850 and the largest a $24.9 million Horizon 2020 call, with the majority not exceeding $1.6 million.

Reflecting the importance of medical charities in catalyzing and supporting early research in specialized areas, they are responsible for 65% of grant schemes (7% of the total funding available by value). Also significant, the E.U. contributes 55% of the funding and 13% of the schemes. There are a large number of funding schemes for oncology, neurology, ophthalmology and cardiovascular research.  

Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said, “With our partners, we are delighted to launch this database, which we hope will enable researchers developing the therapies and technologies of the future to identify suitable funding sources quickly and accurately.  Information will be updated regularly, with inclusion of data from the U.S. and more E.U. originations planned.”