Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub

Document research last revised 2026-08-10.

Grant Name

Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub

Mandatory Intent to Apply Deadline

15 April 2026 (email notification required) (UKRI)

Latest Start Date

Awards must start by 14 November 2026 (UKRI)

Maximum MRC Contribution

Up to £20 million (including any exceptions funded at 100%) (UKRI)

Application Limit

One application as Project Lead may be submitted by each eligible research organisation. (UKRI)

Leadership Requirement

The Project Lead must direct the Hub, be a member of the Hub leadership team, demonstrate relevant expertise and experience, and have strong institutional support. (UKRI)

International Participation

International researchers may participate as International Co-Project Leads. International organisations cannot lead an application. (UKRI)

Aim

Create more accurate predictive pre-clinical human in vitro disease models; increase access to state-of-the-art technologies, human tissue and patient samples; develop cutting-edge AI science agents for target discovery; enable collaboration across academia and industry; position the UK as a global leader in human in vitro model development; increase alternatives to animal use in science. (UKRI)

Ineligible Research Scope

Development of healthy tissue models purely for toxicology or safety testing for phase 1 clinical trials; animal experiments; buildings and other infrastructure; studentships; open access costs; clinical trials; longitudinal population studies; training and capacity building available through existing funding routes. (UKRI)

Project Partner Contributions

Project partners may provide cash or in-kind contributions including staff time, equipment, facilities, software, data, materials, participant recruitment and human tissue samples. (UKRI)

Host Institution Support Required

Laboratory space, facilities, digital infrastructure, estates management, human resources, finance services and support for key staff positions. (UKRI)

Governance Requirements

Clear governance arrangements, operational management, decision-making processes, IP and contracts management, sustainability planning and placement within the wider UK research landscape. (UKRI)

IP Requirements

Applicants must describe their approach to intellectual property (IP) and contracts management to ensure mutual benefit for model owners, developers and end users. (UKRI)

Data Management Requirements

IT infrastructure to enable secure external access to high-quality data, considering storage, security, transfer and FAIR principles, with computational capability for integrating model and clinical data. (UKRI)

Environmental Sustainability Requirement

Not specified. (UKRI)

Expert Review

Applications are assessed through expert review prior to shortlisting and interview. (UKRI)

Shortlisting Date

16 June 2026 (UKRI)

Interview Date

8 July 2026 (UKRI)

Funding Decision

To be confirmed. (UKRI)

AI Policy

Applicants may use generative AI in preparing applications in accordance with UKRI policy. Reviewers and panel members must not use generative AI to assess applications. (UKRI)

International Collaboration Rules

Must comply with UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation requirements where applicable. (UKRI)

Decision Rules

Applications that do not meet eligibility requirements or fail to satisfy the assessment criteria will not proceed. Only one Hub will be funded. (UKRI)

Contact Email (Intent to Apply & Enquiries)

humandiseasemodels@mrc.ukri.org (UKRI)

Official Grant Page

https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/pre-clinical-translational-models-hub/ (UKRI)

Application deadline in source document

21 May 2026, 4:00pm UK time (UKRI)

Official source

Read the funding authority guidance