May 22, 2025, 23:05

MRC Experimental Medicine Stage One

This funding supports academically-led experimental medicine studies that involve a mechanistic hypothesis and an intervention or challenge in humans. The goal is to uncover mechanisms of human disease and inform therapeutic or diagnostic development through targeted clinical investigation.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must be based at a UKRI-eligible research organisation.
International researchers may apply as project co-leads (international).
New investigators are encouraged to apply if transitioning to independence.
Applications must include a human intervention (e.g., pharmacological, immunological, physiological, infectious, psychological).
Not open to international project leads (except MRC Unit The Gambia and MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit).

Eligible Research Areas:

Human-focused mechanistic studies on disease cause, progression, or treatment
Use of safe interventions (e.g., drug repurposing, immunological challenges)
Mechanistic hypothesis testing
Nested interventional studies within larger cohorts (with distinct objectives)

Ineligible Activities:

Observational-only studies
Randomised clinical trials
Preclinical models or animal studies
Biomarker discovery without intervention
Therapeutic/device development (refer to MRC DPFS instead)

Funding Details:

Total fund: £10 million
No cap on funding per project (typically >£1 million)
80% of full economic cost (FEC) funded; 100% for exceptions
International co-leads (from high-income countries, India, China): ≤30% of total costs
No cap for DAC-listed international partners
Clinical research costs eligible, including public engagement

Project Duration:

No fixed limit; typically 3 years for new investigators
Must include at least two milestones with SMART criteria (including Go/No-Go points)
Justify duration based on scope and design

Deadline:

1 October 2025 at 4:00 PM UK time (Stage One)

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to Stage Two (~January–March 2026)
Stage Two includes expert review, feedback response, and final panel evaluation

Where to Go for Further Information:

Official Page: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/experimental-medicine-stage-one

Scientific Queries: [email protected]

Technical Support: [email protected]

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