Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund

The Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund, established in 1967 by biochemist Sir Edward Penley Abraham—pioneer of penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics—channels royalties from his discoveries into advancing cutting-edge medical, biological, and chemical research at the University of Oxford. Rooted in his legacy, the fund's mission emphasizes scientific excellence, innovation, and long-term investment in laboratory-based "bench-to-bedside" discoveries for public health benefits, primarily at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Lincoln College, and affiliated Oxford departments.

It supports high-caliber biomedical initiatives in molecular and cellular sciences, including full doctoral scholarships (e.g., Oxford-E P Abraham Graduate Scholarships for international students in molecular cell biology), postdoctoral and Junior Research Fellowships, research projects, and major infrastructural grants for technologies or programs with translational potential. Funding bolsters academic posts, student stipends, and institutional capacity within Oxford's life sciences ecosystem.

Exclusively for University of Oxford academic units, colleges, departments, and affiliated researchers—no external charities or non-Oxford entities qualify. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; consideration occurs automatically via Oxford's admissions (e.g., DPhil deadlines in early December 2025) or college-specific postings (e.g., Linacre JRF by 8 January 2025). Grants start at £19,237 annually for scholarships (covering fees and living costs for 3-4 years), scaling to millions for large programs, awarded through internal academic merit processes without open calls.

Distinctive for its hyper-focused Oxford exclusivity, rejection of generalist or societal grants, and unwavering commitment to elite, discovery-driven biomedicine, the fund stands apart as a legacy enabler of globally impactful science within a singular institutional hub.