Funder · Foundation

LifeArc

Supports life science translation in the United Kingdom through grants and partnerships focused on rare disease clinical trials.

United Kingdomwww.lifearc.org

Key stats

Annual funding—

Programs5

Active grants1

Total grants5

About

LifeArc is a UK medical research charity built to move discoveries toward patients in rare disease and global health. Founded in 2000 as MRC Technology and independent since its 2019 rebrand, it is funded through an investment endowment rather than fundraising, and that endowment was £1.255 billion in December 2024.

Its grantmaking is organized around five Translational Challenges: Motor Neuron D…

Programs & grants under this funder

LifeArc Early Ventures

Funds Seed and Series A equity investment in early-stage life science companies.

1 grant

LifeArc Early Ventures

Between cycles

— pool

LifeArc Gene Therapy Innovation Fund

Supports academic-led gene therapy projects in rare disease through manufacturing partnerships.

1 grant

LifeArc Gene Therapy Innovation Fund

Closed

£5M pool

LifeArc Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fellowship

Provides career development fellowship for early-career European life scientists entering technology transfer.

1 grant

LifeArc KT Innovation Fellowship

Closed

— pool

LifeArc Philanthropic Fund

Provides Translational grants for United academic rare disease researchers with IP and a route to patient.

1 grant

LifeArc Philanthropic Fund

Closed

— pool

LifeArc Rare Disease Clinical Trials Programme

Provides grants for clinical-stage rare disease trial projects at academic institutions and small and enterprises worldwide.

1 grant

LifeArc Rare Disease Clinical Trials Programme

Open

— pool·Rolling submission

Last verified: 29 May 2026Source: www.lifearc.org