MRC Infection & Immunity Board Programme Grants, Jan 2018

Programme grants provide larger, longer term (five years) and renewable programme funding. They aim to help the medical science community to ‘think bigger’. A programme is defined as a coordinated and coherent group of related projects, which may be developed to address an inter-related set of questions across a broad scientific area. Programmes are a substantial investment for the MRC so due consideration to MRC strategy should also be evident. 

The Infections and Immunity Board (IIB) funds research into infectious human disease and disorders of the human immune system. This is underpinned by fundamental research into human pathogens, as well as the normal development and functioning of the human immune system. They fund basic, clinical and translational research into pathogens implicated in human infectious diseases. This includes understanding of the pathogen at the molecular and cellular level through to host pathogen interactions and into epidemiology of infectious diseases. They are also keen to fund research to inform novel strategies for preventing and controlling infectious and immune disease control, including research on human behaviour and lifestyle.

Who can apply?

The MRC will consider proposals for Programme grants from any researcher who can demonstrate they will direct the proposed research and be actively engaged in carrying it through. By the time the grant starts, the Principal Investigator (PI) must be based in the UK at an eligible research organisation at which the grant will be administered (the lead organisation). 

The minimum formal qualification required is a graduate degree, though most applicants are also expected to have a PhD. For Programme grants the PI should have a substantial record of successfully securing research funding and delivering high quality research.

For the full call text please visit the MRC grant call webpage.