MRC Partnership Grant: Applicant-led
Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Funding to support ambitious, applicant-led research partnerships that establish new collaborative activities, capabilities or infrastructure within the Medical Research Council (MRC) remit to improve understanding of human health and disease. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Funding to support ambitious, applicant-led research partnerships that establish new collaborative activities, capabilities or infrastructure within the Medical Research Council (MRC) remit to improve understanding of human health and disease. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
See eligibility requirements
Match funding
No institutional match funding beyond the standard 20% FEC contribution.
Eligible applicants
Researchers employed by eligible UK research organisations who can lead and contribute to the academic leadership of the partnership.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No funding limit. Funding requested must be fully justified and appropriate for the proposed partnership. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC) funded by MRC, plus 100% of eligible exceptions. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible expenses
- Staff salaries, leadership costs, technical staff, consumables, equipment, travel, data management, dissemination, estates and indirect costs, and other justified research partnership expenses.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not scored
Decision timeline
Assessment operates through regular shortlisting and panel meetings held multiple times each year. Decisions vary according to submission date. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Eligibility checks, expert peer review, panel assessment and funding decision meetings.
Application sections
- Vision, Summary, Approach, Applicant and Team Capability, Data Management Plan, Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Resources and Cost Justification, Project Partners, International Collaboration, Trusted Research and Innovation.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Vision and importance of the partnership, scientific quality, strength of collaboration, applicant capability, partnership added value, feasibility, impact potential and value for money.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
7 Apr 2026
Project duration
18 months to 5 years.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-06.
Expected Project Start
Usually within 9 to 18 months after submission, depending on assessment timeline.
Eligible Research Areas
Infections and immunity, molecular and cellular medicine, neurosciences and mental health, population and systems medicine.
International Participation
International project co-leads and collaborators are permitted under UKRI international collaboration rules.
Collaboration Model
Supports multidisciplinary partnerships involving multiple research groups, institutions and disciplines. Industry, NHS and international partners may participate where appropriate.
Eligible Activities
Creating collaborative partnerships, shared research infrastructure, software or data platforms, networking, training and capacity building, pilot studies and pump-priming activities that strengthen future research capability.
International Cost Limit
Up to 30% of total project costs may support international activities in eligible high-income countries, including India and China, where justified.
Application Submission
Applications submitted by the lead UK research organisation through the UKRI Funding Service.
Core Team Roles
Project Lead, Project Co-Leads (UK and International), Specialist, Grant Manager, Professional Enabling Staff, Visiting Researchers and Project Partners where appropriate.
Key Requirements
Partnership must create clear added value beyond existing research, establish sustainable collaborative capability, align with MRC strategic priorities and demonstrate strong leadership and partnership management.
Data Management Requirement
Detailed Data Management and Sharing Plan required in accordance with MRC policies.
Ethics & Compliance
Applicants must address ethics, responsible research and innovation, Trusted Research and Innovation principles and export control requirements where applicable.
Application Limit
Maximum of two applications as Project Lead across MRC applicant-led opportunities within a 12-month period. (UK Research and Innovation)
Resubmission Policy
Unsuccessful applications generally cannot be resubmitted within 12 months unless explicitly permitted.
Important Notes
The MRC has replaced fixed-deadline partnership competitions with a flexible always-open funding model. Applications can be submitted whenever they are ready, with no closing date. Applicants should monitor UKRI announcements for policy updates. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
No fixed closing date. Applications are accepted continuously after opening. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- No funding limit. Funding requested must be fully justified and appropriate for the proposed partnership. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- See eligibility requirements
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 27 Nov 2025