Overview
The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund (TRIF) Pilot is a new £50 million capital grant programme designed to support large-scale research and development investments in the UK life sciences sector. It aims to drive innovation, strengthen health resilience, and deliver significant economic benefits. This fund runs alongside the separate Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF).
Scope
The TRIF Pilot supports major R&D projects that require substantial capital investment to advance medicines, diagnostics, and MedTech. Projects must demonstrate they would not proceed, or would be delayed, scaled down, or moved overseas without the grant.
Key themes and topics
- Human medicines: development and innovation in pharmaceuticals, including APIs and finished drug products
- Medical diagnostics: advancing disease identification and monitoring technologies
- MedTech products: design, testing, or improvement of medical devices
Project duration
No fixed project duration stated, but projects must be capital investment-led and located in the UK.
Award value
Projects must have a total cost of at least £100 million. Typical grant support will cover 10–20% of eligible costs, e.g. £10–20 million for a £100 million project.
Funding rates
Capital grants awarded at the minimum necessary level under UK subsidy rules, usually 10–20% of total project costs.
Eligibility criteria
- Lead organisation must be a UK-registered, wholly private sector business
- Applicants must be product developers, CDMOs, or generics manufacturers
- Must provide two years of audited accounts (or proof that funding is secured)
- Demonstrated track record in developing or manufacturing medicines or medical devices
Project must:
- Have total costs of at least £100 million
- Be located in the UK
- Be primarily capital investment
- Be a single company investment (not a consortium)
- Depend on the grant to proceed
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