MRC Experimental Medicine (stage one)

About this opportunity

MRC's Experimental Medicine scheme funds academically led studies in people that aim to explain how human diseases arise, progress and respond to treatment. Every project must be built around a mechanistic hypothesis and include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans, address a clearly stated gap in our understanding of human pathophysiology, and have a clear route to clinical impact. All human disease areas are in scope.

There is no upper limit on the amount or length of funding — the resources requested just need to be appropriate and justified — and MRC pays 80% of the project's full economic cost. This is stage one of a two-stage process, and it is an ongoing opportunity: application rounds close every April and October, with the current round closing on 14 April 2027.

The project lead must direct and be actively engaged in the work and be based at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding. Researchers at international organisations generally cannot lead, with the exception of MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit; other international researchers can join as a project co-lead (international). Early-career researchers ready to establish their own research direction can apply as new investigators.

Purpose & benefits

• No upper limit on funding or duration (requests must be justified).
• MRC funds 80% of the project's full economic cost.

Eligibility

• The project lead must be based at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding and direct and actively take part in the project.
• International researchers cannot lead, except at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM or the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit.
• Other international researchers can join as project co-lead (international).
• Early-career researchers can apply as new investigators if they meet MRC's criteria.

• Nationality: see the requirements below or the official guidelines.
• Where it takes place: Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom.
• Field of study or work: Experimental medicine across all human disease areas

Citizenship requirements

No nationality requirement is stated; eligibility depends on the lead research organisation (UK, or the MRC units in The Gambia and Uganda). International researchers can join as project co-lead (international).

Required qualifications

Employment at, or support from, an eligible research organisation, with the ability to direct the project.

Who should consider applying

Clinical and academic researchers with a mechanistic question about a human disease that can be tested through an intervention or challenge study in people — including African researchers partnering with a UK lead or based at the MRC units in The Gambia and Uganda.

Important restrictions

• Projects must test a mechanistic hypothesis and include an experimental intervention or challenge in humans.
• Researchers at international organisations cannot lead (exceptions above).
• After an unsuccessful stage one application, MRC invites one resubmission only.
• Demand management applies — see the official page.

How to apply

1. Confirm your lead organisation is eligible and agree co-lead roles with any international partners.
2. Select “Start application” on the official UKRI page and sign in to, or create, a UKRI Funding Service account.
3. Prepare the stage one application with your team and research office.
4. Your research organisation submits it before 14 April 2027, 4:00pm UK time.

How applicants are selected

This call is stage one of MRC’s experimental medicine process. After an unsuccessful stage one application, MRC invites one further application as a resubmission.

Preparing a strong application

• State the gap in understanding of human pathophysiology precisely and how your study fills it.
• Make the mechanistic hypothesis and the human intervention or challenge explicit.
• Show a clear path from the findings to clinical impact.
• Justify every resource requested — there is no cap, but requests must be appropriate.