Expression of interest: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) medical countermeasures R&D
Expression of interest: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) medical countermeasures R&D supports researchers developing and testing medical responses to strengthen domestic preparedness.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: October 20, 2026 (expression of interest) | January 20, 2027 (invited full application)
Funding Amounts: £20 million total fund; up to £4 million full economic cost per project, for up to 30 months; MRC funds 80%
Summary: Supports development and testing of medical countermeasures that improve domestic preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
Key Information: A mandatory expression of interest is required before an invited full application.
Description
The Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, runs this opportunity with the Department of Health and Social Care as co-funder. It supports pre-clinical and early translational research on medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. Projects may begin and end anywhere from early prototype development through pre-clinical testing to clinical studies or trials up to phase 2a. They must generate evidence that improves domestic CBRN preparedness, particularly that of the health system.
The programme covers vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, broad-spectrum interventions, symptomatic management and repurposing existing medicines. Priorities include countermeasures for shared symptoms or toxidromes, evaluation of licensed drugs available locally, interventions for priority pathogens, and detection capabilities for radiological and nuclear incidents.
