MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH INCUBATOR SEED FUND 2025

We are welcoming applications for the 2025 MHR Incubator seed fund awards. Activities funded must support the career development of UK based researchers working on mental health and/or addiction.

Am I eligible to apply?
  • You must be a UK based researcher who has taken part in an Incubator career development programme or retreat in 2025 or earlier, eg PeCo, GROW, internship or placement. The activity you propose can benefit a wider group of mental health or addiction researchers beyond Incubator alumni.
  • You can apply as an individual or with up to 3 co-applicants.
What can be funded?
  • Activities with a budget of between £100-£1000.
  • All funding must be spent by the end of September 2026.
  • There is no funding available for overheads so please ensure you have agreed this with your department/institution.
What are we looking for?

Special Interest Research Groups: we particularly welcome applications that benefit a number of mental health researchers rather than one individual, for example funding to support the setting up of special interest research groups in specialist areas of mental health research.

Meetings and travel to get joint projects on a topic of shared interest off the ground.

Training and development for a group of mental health researchers on a topic of shared need

We welcome applications that can benefit a wider group of mental health and/or addiction researchers beyond those that have already been involved in Incubator programmes.

How to apply?

Please complete the application form below by 10 December 2025.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 26 January 2026.

Please email mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

APPLICATION FORM

Seed Funding Autumn 2025 application form

1. Applicant(s)

You can add up to three co-applicants using the + Add co-applicant button below.

plus1 Add co-applicant minus1 Remove co-applicant

2. Your proposed expenditure

0 of 200 max words
0 of 200 max words
0 of 200 max words
0 of 100 max words

Please confirm your understanding that any funds awarded must be spent at the latest by end of September 2026. Confirm that your proposed expenditure is in line with the funding guidelines and your department are aware and in agreement with this proposed expenditure.

Please confirm your understanding that any funds awarded must be spent at the latest by end of September 2026. Confirm that your proposed expenditure is in line with the funding guidelines and your department is aware that no overheads are available and in agreement with this proposed expenditure.

SCHEME AIMS

  • To support activities which address the aim of the Mental Health Research Incubator to increase capacity in mental health research in the UK.
  • To support the career development of mental health and/or addiction researchers in the UK.
  • To encourage and enable research collaborations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do co-applicants also have to be involved with the MHR Incubator?

No, only the lead applicant must be either an alumni of the MHR Incubator or enrolled on a current programme.

 

Q: Can I have more than 3 co-applicants?

In specific circumstances, we will permit you to have more than 3 co-applicants. Please reach out to the MHR Incubator team via email (mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk) to check your eligibility.

 

Q: Can co-applicants be international researchers?

The aim of the MHR Incubator is to support the professional development of UK based researchers and to build capacity in the UK mental health and addiction workforce. 

 

If you have any other questions, please contact the MHR Incubator team via email (mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk).