Diverse medical, life science and technology research grants and collaborative programs from Merck Group available to local researchers
• Major 2020 Research Grant for ‘Pandemic Preparedness’ awarding up to AU$2.5M over 3 years; remains open until 31 August 2020
• Social media campaign featuring past winners encourages researchers across disciplines to tap into industry funding
Merck, a leading science and technology company, is celebrating National Science Week by highlighting how industry research funding is helping to inspire and drive Australia’s world-class medical and science sector.
This year’s National Science Week (15-23 August) comes as local researchers warn of a funding crisis with lasting impacts on the potential of young scientists.
“Demand for investment to support our scientific research sector has never been higher or more important than right now,” said Leah Goodman, Merck Healthcare Managing Director, General Manager for Australia/New Zealand and Country Speaker, Merck ANZ. “Therefore, we want to ensure researchers are aware of and actively applying for, the various local and global grants offered by industry, alongside other sources.
“Merck’s mission is to apply our scientific expertise to making a positive difference to people’s lives, from participation in many of our clinical trials here in Australia, to advancing the original research ideas of others, right from early career level. Merck can assist in this aspiration through our many different grants and open innovation approach to research and development,” she said.
Merck’s 2020 Research Grant for Pandemic Preparedness was launched last year in expectation of just such a viral threat as COVID-19. Several hundred submissions have been received from around the world, with entries open until 31 August 2020.
“The current pandemic shows how having the right products and technology to fight infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, is vital to limiting their damage to society, the economy and the environment,” said Rebecca Lee, Merck Life Science Managing Director for Australia/New Zealand. “And of course, other critical research areas don’t just go away, and there is potential that Merck and others in the industry can help sustain these through the crisis.”
“Australia’s National Science Week is a natural platform for Merck to talk about our diverse research support, as we operate in three innovation-driven and increasingly inter-linked business sectors,” she said.
Merck is involved in the global efforts against COVID-19 on many fronts: Collaborating internationally with more than 45 vaccine developers including providing process expertise and materials for the first Australian-developed vaccine candidate to reach human trials (Vaxine’s COVAX-19, with manufacturing partner Sypharma); conducting trials of Merck’s own investigational compounds to treat COVID-19 pneumonia; and donating large quantities of disinfectant and face masks to countries in need.
University of Melbourne Prof. Sammy Bedoui, Laboratory Head at the Doherty Institute and a recent grant recipient featuring in Merck’s Science Week campaign, said: “Alongside the funding we have received from the Australian Government, for example through the NHMRC, winning the 350 Anniversary Grant from Merck in 2019 enabled us to venture off into a more applied way of working; industry funding like this bridges the gap between basic research and applied science.
“What set Merck apart for me was the collaborative approach to the selection process. It was obvious that the science itself was really important to the innovation team – rather than just looking at the immediate commercial potential, they wanted to know how our research would benefit people for the long-term,” he said.
Some examples of Australian recipients of Merck research backing include:
• Prof. Sammy Bedoui and Prof. Thomas Gebhardt of the Doherty Institute - awarded Merck's 350 Anniversary grant of AU$1.5M in 2019 for their work on microbiota-derived factors impacting cellular response to immunotherapy
• Prof. Tracey Edgell, Senior Research Scientist at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research - three-time recipient of Innovation in Fertility Award for her work on endometrial remodelling
• Prof. Lois Salamonsen, Research Group Head, Endometrial Remodelling Lab, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research – 2019 recipient of Innovation in Fertility Award
• Dr Michael Ogden, PhD candidate at University of Melbourne & Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology – part of the winning team at the 2018 Innovation Cup
• Dr Elena Schneider, NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellow and clinical researcher, University of Melbourne, School of Biomedical Sciences – participated in the 2018 Innovation Cup
• Dr David Lau, medical oncologist and researcher, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute - 2017 recipient of AGITG Clinical Research Fellowship
Merck’s global grants and Open Innovation programs include:
2020 RESEARCH GRANTS: Grants of €100,000-500,000 (est. AU$165,000–824,000) p/a for up to 3 years (with option to extend), which aim to stimulate research in four areas of immediate need: Pandemic Preparedness; Drug Discovery; Bioreactor Design for Cultured Meat; and Next Generation Machine Learning. Entries close 31 August 2020.
2020 RESEARCH CHALLENGES: Research competitions in areas of high innovation, providing new avenues for partnering with Merck: High-k Dielectric Materials; Publication Impact; and Laboratory Connectivity. Entries close 31 August 2020.
INNOVATION CUP: Annual summer school (July) sees small teams develop new ideas for unmet medical needs and build convincing business cases with mentoring from Merck and other experts. Applications for 2021 open in November. In addition to invaluable experience, winning team shares €20,000 (est. AU$33,000).
2021 FUTURE INSIGHT PRIZE: NUTRITION: Grant for €1M (est. AU$1.65M) aims to solve some of humanity's greatest problems, with the focus in 2021 on nutrition. Seeking solutions that can convert nonedible biomass into nutritious food within a day, with no biohazards. Entries close 31 December 2020.
CURIOUS2021: A wide-ranging, future-focused global scientific forum, 12-14 July 2021. Abstracts and registrations now being accepted.
BIOPHARMA SPEED GRANTS: Grants of up to €30,000 (est. AU$50,000) fostering independent pre-clinical researchers by reducing financial hurdles in oncology, immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders and drug discovery. Assessed on a regular basis, program is designed to provide rapid assistance for great ideas.
GLOBAL GRANTS FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION: Ongoing receipt of submissions from independent medical education providers to design and deliver advanced medical training that benefit patients.
GRANT FOR GROWTH INNOVATION: Supports research in growth and growth disorders, particularly translational studies that could improve patients’ lives. Applications for 2021 will open in September 2020.
GRANT FOR FERTILITY INNOVATION: Now known as Medical Innovation Program for Human Reproduction, open innovation draws on both internal and external expertise to bridge the gap in translating research into practice in human reproduction.
GRANT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS INNOVATION: An initiative to support the advancement of science and medical research in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). Applications for 2021 will open in October 2020.
MERCK-AGITG CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (AUSTRALIA ONLY): Two-year fellowship administered by Australian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group that provides a rare opportunity to train at Royal Marsden Hospital in London. This year’s fellowship will be announced on 28 August 2020.