UK Obesity Research Institute: full application
Limited submission
UK Research and Innovation funds the UK Obesity Research Institute to drive collaborative, mechanistic biomedical research into obesity and related diseases across multiple disciplines.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 19, 2026 (Closing date)
Funding Amounts: Up to £72 million over 7 years (80% FEC; total project FEC up to £90 million); one major award expected.
Summary: Supports the establishment of a collaborative UK institute for mechanistic biomedical research into obesity and related diseases, led by a director and leadership team.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service; only one application can be led per eligible organisation.
Description
This opportunity funds the creation of a national UK Obesity Research Institute (UK-ORI), focused on transformative, interdisciplinary research to uncover the mechanistic biomedical drivers of obesity and its related diseases (e.g., cardiometabolic disorders). The institute will be director-led, with a leadership team, and is intended to serve as a collaborative, multi-site hub for world-class research, training, and translation of scientific discoveries into real-world health impact. The initiative is jointly funded by UKRI (Medical Research Council) and the British Heart Foundation, with an emphasis on team science, capacity building, and integration across fundamental biomedical science, medicine, and technology.
