Merck Research Grants 2026

The Merck research grants program is open to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company.

• Table of Content
• About Merck
• Merck Research Grants Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Merck Research Grants Fellowship
• Requirements for Merck Research Grants Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Merck Research Grants Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Merck Research Grants Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Merck Research Grants Fellowship

Since 2018, Merck has been offering research grants to encourage innovation in key areas that will shape the future. Grants of up to 500,000 € per year for up to 3 years have been made available. In 2026, grants are available in the areas further specified below. 

• In-vitro models and assays to identify novel therapies for neuroinflammatory diseases - one grant of up to 250,000 EUR per year for up to 2 years.
• Artificial intelligence in cell culture media and process development - one grant of up to 150,000 EUR per year for up to 3 years.
• Innovative approaches to economical remediation of contaminated high volume materials - one grant of up to 150,000 EUR per 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 100,000 EUR per 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.

Requirements for Merck Research Grants Fellowship Qualification

The EVENT is open and offered only to individuals

• age eighteen (18) or older at time of application and/or such an individual representing a team of individuals.
• In case applications are received from Healthcare Professionals and/or representatives of Healthcare Organizations, in addition to these TERMS AND CONDITIONS, the applicable Healthcare Compliance principles, rules and regulations will be followed.

The EVENT is not open to:

• employees of SPONSOR and its affiliates;
• any employee whose employer’s guidelines or regulations do not allow entry in the EVENT or acceptance of the GRANT;
• individuals whose participation in the EVENT may be impacted by applicable sanctions from time to time. The EVENT is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

SPONSOR reserves the right to limit, or restrict upon notice, participation in the EVENT for any person who fails to comply with these TERMS AND CONDITIONS. It is the responsibility of the CANDIDATE (as further described below) to ensure that he/she is legally eligible to participate in the EVENT and to accept the award. In case CANDIDATE applies for a team of individuals, such CANDIDATE represents and warrants that CANDIDATE as representative of the team has obtained consent of all individuals of the team to these TERMS AND CONDIDITONS.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Merck Research Grants Fellowship

• In the first stage of the Research Grants application process, applicants submit their application containing non-confidential information only. You may apply for more than one grant. If your application passes the first evaluation stage you are invited to submit a full proposal under confidentiality and join a deep-dive workshop. All applicants are informed about the decision of the selection committee.
• The second stage of the Research Grant process is a collaborative step, the deep-dive workshop. Finalists submit their full proposal and then work together with Merck managers and scientists to jointly optimize their submitted project proposal. All teams reaching this stage will be informed in October. The deep-dive workshops are currently scheduled to take place in November and December 2026. The culmination of the deep-dive workshops will be the selection of the research grant winners.
• The third stage of the Research Grants process is the Research Grant funding phase. To enable pay-out and project start, Merck enters into bilateral collaboration agreements with the winning recipients. Our collaborative Research Grants are a unique opportunity for researchers who are interested in working with Merck‘s scientists and receiving guidance from industry. During the Research Grant funding period, there will therefore be regular meetings with Merck scientists. 

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027
Chevening Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit Merck Research Grants webpage.