Research Grants

Since 2018, we are offering a series of research grants to stimulate innovative research in challenging areas of future importance. Grants of up to 500,000 € per year for up to 3 years have been made available. In 2024, grants are available in the area as further specified below. 

• Discovery strategies for molecular glue degraders and other protein-protein-interaction stabilizers - 1 grant comprising up to 100,000 €/year for up to 3 years with potential further collaboration
• Augmented Reality Digital Twin - 1 grant comprising up to 120,000 €/year for 1 year with potential further collaboration
• AI-Driven Drug Discovery – up to 3 grants comprising AIDDISON software licenses for one year with potential further collaboration

Submission deadline 31 August 2024.  

This 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 applications process, applicants submit their application containing non-confidential information only. You may apply for more than one grant or submit your application for more than one category. If your application is successful, 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 proposals and then work together with our managers and scientists to jointly optimize submitted project proposals. All teams reaching this stage will be informed in October. The deep-dive workshops are currently scheduled to take place in November 2024. 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, we enter into bilateral collaboration agreements with the winning recipients. Our collaborative Research Grants are a unique opportunity for researchers who are interested in working with our scientists and receive guidance from industry. During the Research Grant funding period, there will therefore be regular meetings with our scientists. 

Molecular glues are small molecules capable of inducing proximity between a target protein and an effector protein inside the cells, hence relying on the effector protein to elicit target protein function. Molecular glues have been discovered, that lead to degradation (e.g.
IMIDs) [1], inhibition (e.g. cyclosporin A) [2] or activation of the target protein (asukamycin)[3].

Targeting proteins via the molecular glue mechanism holds the promise to tackle non-ligandable proteins that are considered “non-druggable". However, the identification of degraders or other proximity inducers utilizing this mode of action for specific proteins has historically been largely
serendipitous [1]. 

We are committed to providing financial support for research initiatives that concentrate on pioneering novel approaches for the screening and discovery of molecular glues.

We are offering one grant up up to EUR 100,000 for up to three years with potential further collaboration.

1. Geoffrey et al., Screening for molecular glues – Challenges and opportunities, SLAS Discovery 2023.  
2. Liu et al., Calcineurin is a common target of cyclophilin-cyclosporin A and FKBP-FK506 complexes, Cell 1991.  
3. Isobe et al., Manumycin polyketides act as molecular glues between UBR7 and P53, Nat Chem Biol 2020. 

We are seeking research proposals to build an interactive Augmented Reality Digital Twin for our automated system’s monitoring and control. 

In an autonomous laboratory, drug discovery integrates the molecular design, chemical synthesis and biological assays and testing into one continuous process: design-make-test-analyse or DMTA. AI, automations and robotics will greatly accelerate the DMTA cycle for faster drug discoveries. 

We have designed an autonomous laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, advanced software tools and novel techniques. This automated system will require an advanced monitoring system. 

We are offering one grant comprising 120,000 € for one year with potential further collaboration.

The submitted proposals should:

• include a proof of concept (Technology Readiness Level 3) and describe the innovativeness of the proposal and the potential impact on Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
• include proposal for interactive digital twin for dashboarding and/or instrument control using AR technologies
• include descriptions of 3D graphics and/or advanced visualization tools 

We are inviting research proposals for hit or lead optimization that you would like to advance using our AIDDISON™ drug discovery software.

We have designed AIDDISON™ drug discovery software to combine artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computer-aided drug design (CADD) methods to act as a valuable toolkit for medicinal chemistry needs. As a unified platform for efficient and effective ligand-based and structure-based drug design, it integrates all the facets for virtual screening and supports methods for lead discovery and lead optimization.

Submitted proposals should:

• include a description of your hit or lead optimization project
• be suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal

We are offering up to 3 grants comprising AIDDISON software licenses for one year with potential further collaboration. This research grant includes extensive interaction with our scientists and training on the AIDDISON drug discovery software for teams selected to participate in the deep dive session.