Research Grants

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a prominent science and technology company, offers an annual Research Grants program to foster scientific innovation and collaboration across multiple research domains. Launched in 2018, the program provides financial and in-kind support for proposals that align with the company’s commitment to scientific advancement and real-world impact. The 2026 cycle includes five thematic funding areas, each designed to address pressing challenges in human health, environmental sustainability, and chemical synthesis. The overarching aim of the program is to catalyze cutting-edge research through partnerships between academia, industry, and independent research institutions. The five focus areas for the 2026 Research Grants program are: (1) in-vitro models and assays for neuroinflammatory diseases, (2) artificial intelligence in cell culture media and bioprocess development, (3) economical remediation strategies for contaminated high-volume materials, (4) condensate-based cell-free assays for protein-protein interaction (PPI) modulation, and (5) molecule synthesis and discovery using SYNTHIA® Retrosynthesis Software. Each area is structured to offer a unique type of support, including direct financial awards ranging from €100,000 to €250,000 per year for periods up to three years, and in-kind software licensing, training, and collaboration opportunities. The application process for these grants involves multiple stages. Initially, applicants are required to submit a non-confidential concept proposal through the online portal. Submissions are open until 31 August 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time. Applicants may submit proposals to multiple focus areas. The first stage focuses on evaluating the scientific premise and alignment with the grant themes. Selected candidates advance to a second round involving a “deep-dive workshop,” where they collaborate with Merck scientists to refine their proposals. These workshops are planned for November and December 2026, with finalists being notified in October. Proposals are judged on innovativeness, commercial potential, strategic alignment, feasibility, and the strength of the research team. During the third stage, selected applicants enter into a bilateral collaboration agreement with Merck, allowing for project initiation and funding disbursement. This collaboration includes regular check-ins with Merck scientists to ensure the research is progressing as planned and to foster knowledge exchange. All proposals must avoid confidential information in the first round and include essential details such as the project title, abstract, and team qualifications. Additional explanatory materials such as diagrams and slides are permitted. The grants span several research priorities. For example, the neuroinflammatory disease model grant seeks development of medium-to-high throughput, human-relevant in-vitro models that include cellular microenvironments and immune axis features. The AI-focused grant supports modeling for nutrient optimization in mammalian bioprocessing. Environmental remediation proposals must address scalable, cost-effective treatments for materials contaminated with chloro-organic pollutants such as HCH. The PPI grant focuses on developing cell-free assays that replicate the intracellular environment, while the SYNTHIA® track supports synthetic chemists aiming to innovate compound design using retrosynthetic algorithms. The program is open to scientists at all career levels affiliated with any university, research institution, or company. It does not restrict applications by geography, and international applicants are welcome. Each grant category comes with clearly defined funding ceilings and durations. Merck retains the right to publicize grant winners while keeping the details of unsuccessful proposals confidential. For technical questions or issues with the submission platform, applicants may contact [email protected]. The 2026 round of grants represents a significant opportunity for researchers to access funding, industry collaboration, and strategic resources to drive transformative scientific projects.