Early independence: career development fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC) · United Kingdom
Fellowship to support talented researchers to transition to research independence within the MRC remit to improve human health.
Summary
Deadline
15 Sept 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Fellowship to support talented researchers to transition to research independence within the MRC remit to improve human health.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Medical research aligned with MRC remit to improve human health.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Must have completed a PhD (or equivalent), demonstrate career consolidation and productivity, propose independent research within MRC remit, and be based at an eligible UK research organisation. UK research organisation eligible for relevant UKRI council funding must host fellow under Fellowship Investment Framework. Research across MRC scientific remit including infections and immunity; molecu...
Eligible applicants
Must have completed a PhD (or equivalent), demonstrate career consolidation and productivity, propose independent research within MRC remit, and be based at an eligible UK research organisation.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£500,000 to £5 million
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC); 100% of permitted exceptions.
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Research across MRC scientific remit including infections and immunity; molecular and cellular medicine; population and systems medicine; neurosciences and mental health; translation; global health; methodology; public health.
Eligible expenses
- Salary of fellow
- small number of research/technical staff
- visa fees and health surcharge
- research consumables
- equipment
- travel
- training
- data sharing
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under UKRI fellowship FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S).
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Assessment completed within six months of application deadline.
Assessment process
Eligibility check; expert review; shortlisting; interview panel; final funding decision by MRC.
Application sections
- Summary
- Vision
- Approach
- Reproducibility and statistical design
- PhD details
- Career history
- Career development
- Applicant capability
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Animal research templates (if applicable)
- SoECAT (if clinical research using NHS resources)
- Project partner letters
- ICF documentation (if applicable).
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications outside scope or failing eligibility may be rejected; failure to comply with submission rules may result in rejection.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
23 Jun 2026
Project duration
Up to 5 years (pro rata for part-time).
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Addiction Healthcare Goals (Office for Life Sciences)
- The Borne Foundation
- DEBRA
- Diabetes UK
- Kidney Research UK
- Macular Society
- Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Parkinson’s UK (joint funding optional).
Collaboration rules
- At least one sponsor required. Optional second host organisation permitted (UK, overseas or industry). Project partners allowed under defined rules.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant fellowship hosted by eligible UK research organisation.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"You may only apply twice for any MRC fellowship."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Career development fellowship; early independence."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Allowed where applicable and justified."},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF) applies where collaborating with industry partners."},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Permitted if compliant with UK legislation and welfare standards; additional templates required if applicable."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Interviews expected 14 to 15 October 2026."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate step-change toward independence; include sponsor support; submit through UKRI Funding Service; comply with MRC remit and application requirements."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Generative AI permitted for application preparation with caution. Fellowship cannot be held concurrently with salaried position unless exceptional step-change conditions apply."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Upcoming
- Deadline
- 15 Sept 2026
- Funding amount
- £500,000 to £5 million
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Medical research aligned with MRC remit to improve human health.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 14 Jan 2026