MRC Confidence in Concept scheme 2020

The Confidence in Concept (CiC) scheme is a key part of MRC’s translational research strategy and provides annual awards of up to £1 million to institutions, to be used flexibly to support a portfolio of early stage translational research projects. It is intended to accelerate the transition from discovery research to translational development projects by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach.

Ensuring that fundamental science is translated into new therapies, diagnostics and medical devices is central to the MRC mission. The CiC scheme aims to accelerate the transition from discovery science to the early stages of therapeutic/biomarker development  and de-rsk rapidly projects across the translational lifecycle such that they become eligible for substantial funding bids. The award provides institutes with locally administered, responsive and flexible funding. The projects supported should aim to generate sufficient preliminary data to establish the viability of an approach before seeking more substantial funding.

Institutions may apply for an award up to £1 million.

The MRC anticipates that only a small number of leading institutions that can show CiC funding will deliver transformative benefits will be awarded funding at the upper limit. Most institutions are encouraged to apply for lower value awards. Applications may be broad in scope or focused on a specific therapeutic area or intervention modality.

Find out more information and how to apply here.