The 2025 Merck Research Grants applications are open to scientists at all career stages who are affiliated with a research-based institution, university, or company. Applicants can apply for multiple grants or categories by submitting non-confidential information in the first stage.

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal under confidentiality and participate in the next phase: the deep-dive workshops. These workshops involve close collaboration with Merck scientists and managers to refine and strengthen project proposals.

Finalists will be notified in October 2025, and the deep-dive workshops are scheduled for November. Winners will be selected following these workshops based on the optimized proposals.

The Merck Group has been providing research grants since 2018 to promote creative inquiry in challenging yet potentially significant future fields. Up to three years’ worth of grants, totaling up to € 500,000, have been made available. Grants in the region are available in 2025, as further detailed below:

• Smart Consumables for Digital Biomanufacturing: One grant of up to €120,000/year for up to 3 years, with possible future collaboration.

• Multi-Purpose Microphysiological Systems: Funding negotiated individually per project.

Key Details

Application Deadline: 31 August 2025 (23:59 central European summer time)

Deep Dive Workshop Date: November 2025

Finalists Notifications: October 2025

Duration of the Grant: 1 year, extendable for up to 3 years

Research Location: Darmstadt, Germany

Funding Organization: Merck Group

Merck Group Research Grant Amount

The Merck Group offers a one-year grant of up to €500,000, with the possibility of additional cooperation.

Research Topics

1. Smart Consumables for Digital Integration in Biomanufacturing
This grant supports the development of innovative, digitally integrated downstream consumables—such as filters or chromatography media—that can interact with automation and data systems in biomanufacturing. The goal is to move from analog to intelligent consumables that enable data capture, improve efficiency, and integrate seamlessly into digital twins and process models. Proposals should outline the concept, integration points within a digital facility, and the type of data the innovative consumables will collect or provide.

2. Multi-Purpose Microphysiological Systems (MPS)
Merck seeks research proposals to advance human-based MPS, enhancing drug safety, efficacy, and reducing animal testing. Focus areas include cardiac, brain (including the blood-brain barrier), and lung models—utilizing iPSCs or patient-derived organoids—for toxicology, ADME, and efficacy, particularly in oncology and neuroinflammation. AI-driven MPS model development is also welcomed. Proposals should highlight demonstrated expertise, potential impact, and readiness for publication. One grant with collaboration opportunities and platform access is available.

Also, check these opportunities:

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2026 for Ph.D. Studies (Fully Funded)

Wellcome Trust Mental Health Award for International Researchers

The Wellcome Early-Career Awards for International Researchers (£400,000)

Who Can Apply for the Merck Group Research Grant?

Submission is open to candidates who meet the following requirements:

• Scientists from all over the globe can apply
• Researchers at all career stages affiliated with any institution, university, or company research.

What is a Deep-Dive Workshop?

The second stage is a collaborative deep-dive workshop where finalists submit full proposals and refine them with Merck experts. Teams will be notified in October, and seminars will be held in November 2025. Winners will be selected afterward.

How to Apply?

Candidates submit their applications with just non-confidential information in the initial stage of the application process. Candidates may submit more than one grant or category application. Those who are selected for further consideration will be invited to attend a comprehensive workshop and submit a detailed proposal under strict confidentiality. The decision about the applications will be communicated to all candidates by the selection committee.

The collaborative deep-dive workshop is the second step in the grant application process. Finalists will collaborate with Merck management and scientists to refine project concepts after submitting their proposals. In October, a notice will be sent to every team that reaches this level. The dates of these sessions are November 2025. The recipients of the research grants will be chosen at the end of the workshops.

The financing phase for research grants is the third step. To begin project execution and payment, Merck will sign a bilateral collaboration agreement with the winners. This exceptional opportunity enables researchers interested in collaborating with Merck scientists and receiving guidance from business leaders. The winners will meet regularly with Merck scientists during the grant term.

Apply Now

Please visit the Merck Group’s official website for detailed information on the Merck Group Research Grant.

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