UKRI translation: MRC proof of concept: stage two
UKRI translation: MRC proof of concept: stage two supports academically led teams developing and testing medical interventions and research tools to address significant health needs and move toward patient benefit.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 4, 2026 (Stage two, 4:00pm UK time)
Funding Amounts: £10 million total fund; no individual award or duration limit; 80% of full economic cost and 100% of permitted exceptions
Summary: MRC funds academically led development and testing of medical interventions and research tools on a path toward patient benefit.
Key Information: Stage-two applications are by invitation only, following a successful stage-one application or a panel-approved resubmission.
Description
The Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, supports academically led projects that move medical innovations along the developmental pathway. Projects may begin or end anywhere from early prototype development and pre-clinical testing to early-phase clinical studies and trials up to phase 2a. They must aim to improve prevention, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of a significant health need, or develop research tools that make intervention development more efficient.
The opportunity covers all human diseases and interventions relevant to UK healthcare or global health. Examples include therapeutics, vaccines, gene and cell therapies, medical devices, diagnostics, digital healthcare, imaging, surgical tools, behavioural interventions and radiotherapy protocols. The emphasis is on a development plan leading toward health or patient benefit, rather than fundamental research without a clinical development pathway.
