Opportunity status:
Upcoming
Funders:
Funding type:
Grant
Publication date:
27 November 2025
Opening date:
To be confirmed
Closing date:
Open - no closing date
Last updated: 11 December 2025 -
Apply for funding to support research within the remit of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
You must be employed by an eligible research organisation.
You can involve more than one research group or organisation in the project.
There is no limit to the funding you can apply for, but it should be appropriate to the project. We will usually fund up to 80% of your project’s full economic cost (FEC).
Funding is available for between 18 months to five years.
This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. .
Who is eligible to apply
To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity you must show that you will direct the project and be actively engaged in the work.
For applicants who do not have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project, by submitting an application, the research organisation is confirming if it is successful:
* contracts will be extended beyond the end date of the project
* all necessary support for the project and the applicants will be provided, including mentorship and career development for early career researchers
Multiple applications
You are limited to submitting a maximum of two applications as project lead across MRC’s applicant-led responsive funding opportunities (research, and ) in a rolling 12-month period. If you submit a third application within 12 months, the third application will be rejected.
Resubmissions
We will not consider a previously unsuccessful application submitted to us, another research council or other funding body within 12 months of the original submission date, unless we have informed you that you may resubmit early.
An application that is substantially similar to a previous submission, with only minor changes is a resubmission. To be considered a new application, your application must be substantially different. You should contact us if you are unsure whether your application is a resubmission.
Who is not eligible to apply
You are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity as a project lead if you are based at an international research organisation. This does not include project leads from MRC Unit The Gambia or MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
International researchers
As MRC is a lead funder for this funding opportunity, international researchers can apply as ‘project co-lead (international)’.
Project co-leads (international) make a major intellectual contribution to the design or conduct of the project. Their contribution and added value to the research should be clearly explained and justified in the application, see Applicant and team capability to deliver.
Read the for more details.