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 Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board is responsible for MRC’s investments seeking to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin complex biological function in human health and disease, and supporting the early translation of knowledge towards new diagnosis and treatment, and changes to policy and practice. The Board seeks to extend our understanding of structure-function insights of molecules and complexes, how the cellular environment functions during development and mature states, and how biological systems respond to external insults (e.g. drugs and toxins) and disease states. The Board leads MRC’s investments in cancer, from fundamental discovery science to epidemiology, experimental medicine and early translation.
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.