Stimulating innovative research
Since 2018, we have 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.
Submission deadline for the 2026 Research Grants is 31 August 2026.
About the 2026 research grants
The Merck research grants program is open to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company.
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.
Deep dive Workshops
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.
Research Grant Funding
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.
