MRC Partnership Grant (applicant-led)

About this opportunity

MRC Partnership Grants fund new collaborative activities between researchers that could change how we understand the causes and mechanisms of disease, or help speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and prevent illness. MRC describes partnerships as novel collaborative activities between researchers, and states that partnership grants are not designed primarily to support research; applicants who want funding for a research project are pointed to its Research Grant instead.

There is no upper limit on funding, which should be appropriate to the partnership, and MRC pays 80% of the full economic cost (and 100% of approved exceptions) for up to five years. The call is open with no closing date.

The project lead must be employed by an eligible research organisation and either direct the work or contribute to the partnership's academic leadership, with a team that has the expertise to deliver it. Researchers at international organisations generally cannot lead, except at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit; other international researchers can join as project co-lead (international). MRC no longer accepts uninvited resubmissions of unsuccessful applications submitted after 1 April 2026.

Purpose & benefits

• No upper limit on funding (appropriate to the partnership).
• MRC funds 80% of the full economic cost and 100% of approved exceptions.
• Funding for up to five years.

Eligibility

• The project lead must be employed by an eligible research organisation and direct the project or contribute to the partnership's academic leadership.
• The team must have the right expertise, using interdisciplinary approaches where appropriate.
• International researchers cannot lead, except at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM or the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit; others can join as project co-lead (international).

• Nationality: see the requirements below or the official guidelines.
• Where it takes place: Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom.
• Field of study or work: Medical and health research within the MRC remit

Citizenship requirements

No nationality requirement is stated; eligibility depends on the lead research organisation. International researchers can join as project co-lead (international).

Required qualifications

Employment at an eligible research organisation.

Who should consider applying

Researchers who want to start a new collaborative activity in medical research — including African researchers co-leading with a UK partner or based at the MRC units in The Gambia and Uganda.

Important restrictions

• Not intended mainly to fund a research project — MRC directs project funding to its Research Grant.
• You can only be project lead on one MRC applicant-led application at a time.
• Uninvited resubmissions of unsuccessful applications submitted after 1 April 2026 are rejected.

How to apply

1. Check that a partnership grant (not a research or new investigator grant) fits your plan — applications to the wrong type are rejected.
2. Select “Start application” on the official UKRI page and sign in to the UKRI Funding Service.
3. Complete it with your team and research office; only the lead organisation submits to UKRI.

Preparing a strong application

• Describe clearly what the partnership will do that its members could not do alone.
• Explain each international co-lead's intellectual contribution.
• Justify the budget against the partnership's activities.