Merck Group: research grants – Preliminary proposals

In 2026, grants are available in the following areas:

• In-vitro models and assays to identify novel therapies for neuroinflammatory diseases.  To develop predictive in-vitro models aimed at identifying and optimizing novel small molecule medicines for human neuroinflammatory diseases. One grant of up to 500K EUR over 2 years.
• Artificial intelligence in cell culture media and process development. Proposals for robust, host-agnostic, and easy to parameterize models, that enable us to more quickly develop fit-for-purpose solutions for the optimization of bioprocesses for a broad base of host organisms. One grant of up to 150K EUR/year for up to 3 years.
• Innovative approaches to economical remediation of contaminated high volume materials.  Proposals dedicated to the remediation of high-volume, low-contaminated soil and water, with a specific focus on chloro-organic pollutants and particularly those contaminated with hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH).  One grant of up to 150K EUR/year for up to 2 years.
• Condensate-based high-sensitivity cell-free screening assays for the modulation of protein-protein interactions.  One grant of up to 100K EUR/year for up to 3 years.
• Advancing molecule synthesis and discovery – up to 3 grants each comprising a 1-year full Synthia® Retrosynthesis Software license, training, and extensive interaction with our scientists.

www.merckgroup.com/en/research/open-innovation/research-grants.html