The UK’s biomedical research landscape thrives on innovation, diversity, and collaboration. While the route to shaping research funding can be unclear for many, researchers from under-represented backgrounds often face added barriers in navigating academic careers and accessing decision-making spaces. The Medical Research Council (MRC) Board and Panel Associate Scheme is helping to change that.
This initiative offers researchers from under-represented backgrounds the opportunity to:
- observe the funding process up close
- receive mentorship and training from experienced board and panel members
- gain the confidence and skills needed to shape the future of medical research
Two associates and two board and panel members who served as mentors share what inspired them to get involved, and why it’s a valuable opportunity for emerging research leaders. We also offer guidance to help you decide whether you should start by observing a board or panel, apply as an associate or take the next step into a board or panel role.
Why apply to join the associate scheme?
Dr Gemma Sharp, Associate
I applied for the associate scheme because I’d like to serve on an MRC panel in the future, and this scheme provides really useful insights and on-the-job training.
Dr Chien-Yi Chang, Associate
This scheme represents a meaningful opportunity for both personal and professional growth, allowing me to refine my understanding of best practices in biomedical research, the factors influencing funding decisions, and the strategic vision behind publicly funded science, all of which strongly align with my career aspirations.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
Dr Chien-Yi Chang, Associate
I was struck by the efficiency and precision with which the chair guided the meeting, how clearly and concisely the introducers presented complex projects, and how focused and insightful the follow-up discussion was. It was a moment of realisation that I had so much to learn, not just about research funding, but about scientific communication and critical evaluation.
Dr Gemma Sharp, Associate
It’s genuinely exciting, and a huge privilege, to read about all the amazing research taking place in the UK. And it’s reassuring to see how rigorous and fair the selection process is. I’ve been particularly heartened to see the consideration that the panel put in to supporting early career researchers.
Professor Helen Walden, Board member and mentor
In my opinion the most tangible benefit is increasing awareness in the research community as to how funding decisions are made. The more awareness there is of how the funders operate, the more informed the whole community can be, which I hope will result in researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds, fields, disciplines having the confidence to submit their ideas for funding.
Professor Fadi Issa, Panel member and mentor
Associates gain a low-risk arena to build confidence in grant assessment, insight into national funding strategy, and a network of senior peers. Board and panel members benefit from reverse mentoring: associates bring fresh disciplinary perspectives and can increase our accountability.
Finally, MRC secures a pipeline of well-trained future panel members who better reflect the breadth and diversity of the UK research community, strengthening fairness and rigour in decision-making.
How associates benefit from mentorship and training
Dr Gemma Sharp, Associate
There are benefits for personal professional development, building networks and reputation, improving grantsmanship, learning about new funder priorities, understanding what is really considered state-of-the-art methodology, that help make it a rewarding activity.
The training has been brilliant for helping me to think about and address biases in my own peer reviews.
Dr Chien-Yi Chang, Associate
Participating in scientific discussions, reviewing proposals, and engaging with panel members has deepened my appreciation for the rigour involved in assessing research quality. The mentorship I received was invaluable, and it significantly contributed to my growth as a researcher and reviewer.
Professor Fadi Issa, Panel member and mentor
Watching an associate progress from silent observer at their first meeting to confident introducer is genuinely energising and reminds me why diverse voices matter in peer review. In short, the scheme has sharpened my own contributions, challenged my blind spots and kept me open to new ways of thinking.
Professor Helen Walden, Board member and mentor
This experience gave me insight into how opaque the processes for decision-making by funders can appear to researchers. I found it a valuable learning experience, as well as a great opportunity to meet a talented researcher in a different field to my own, and at a different stage of their career.
Ready to apply to be an associate or board and panel member?
Dr Gemma Sharp, Associate
I would wholeheartedly advise anyone interested in how MRC funds research to apply to join the scheme, especially if they are thinking of applying to become a panel member in the future. It provides a scaffold that introduces you to the process slowly, allowing you to become more and more involved. This support provides a brilliant opportunity to engage in the process without being thrown in at the deep end.
Apply to the MRC Associate Scheme if you:
- are a researcher from an under-represented background and would benefit from mentorship and training in MRC assessment processes, including expert review and funding decisions
- have not yet served on a funding panel and would like a structured, supported introduction
- are curious about the strategic priorities of MRC and how applications are evaluated
- want to build confidence before applying to be a board or panel member
Professor Helen Walden, Board member and mentor
Serving on a panel is a significant commitment, but it’s also a privilege. You get to see the breadth of science and engage in high-level discussions that are both intellectually stimulating and impactful.
Apply to be an MRC Board or Panel Member if you:
- have expertise related to one of our vacancies
- have substantial experience in research and as a reviewer
- are ready to contribute actively to funding decisions and advising on our strategy
- are comfortable assessing applications across a range of topics
- want to shape the future of UK biomedical research through direct involvement
Supporting your development
The MRC Associate Scheme offers more than a training opportunity, it helps researchers build confidence, deepen insight, and expand their networks.
As we relaunch the scheme and open recruitment for new board and panel members, we encourage researchers from all backgrounds and disciplines to apply. The future of UK biomedical research depends on diverse voices and informed decision-making, and this is a great opportunity to be part of it.
Professor Helen Walden, Board member and mentor
There is joy to be had in the privilege of seeing a breadth of science and research ideas, often outside one’s immediate field. It’s also very interesting seeing how different people judge the same proposal, both at the peer review level and at the board level.
Professor Fadi Issa, Panel member and mentor
The panel table is a front-row seat to the future of translational science. I enjoy the intellectual stretch of evaluating proposals that range from gene-editing tools to digital biomarkers. There is also some satisfaction in knowing that a fair and constructive critique today can improve a resubmission tomorrow, even when we cannot fund a project immediately.
Next steps
Whether you’re aiming to build your confidence in expert review, strengthen your funding applications, or take an active role in shaping UK biomedical research, there’s a next step for you:
- apply to the MRC board and panel observer scheme if you want to gain insight into our funding processes, build confidence in expert review, and strengthen future funding applications
- apply to the MRC Associate Scheme to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and insight into the funding process
- apply to become a board or panel member if you’re ready to help shape the future of UK biomedical research
Chien-Yi is a Lecturer in the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University, where he pursues his passion for unravelling the secrets of the microbial world using cutting-edge genetic, genomic, and microscopic techniques.
His journey began in Taiwan, where he earned both his BSc and MSc degrees before pursuing his PhD at the University of Nottingham. As a microbiologist, he is fascinated by how bacteria sense their own communities, adapt to changing environments, and respond to stress.
He also possesses broad research interests and collaborate with experts across diverse disciplines and clinicians on exciting interdisciplinary projects, developing innovative approaches to detect and combat infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Gemma is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Exeter, and founder of the Menarche Menstruation Menopause and Mental Health Consortium.
Fadi is Chair of Transplantation at the University of Oxford. His research explores immune tolerance and methods to minimise long-term immunosuppression. Fadi has served on the MRC’s Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme Panel since 2021.
Helen graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Bath in 2001. She obtained her PhD in structural biology from the University of St Andrews in 2001. After postdoctoral research at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, she established her lab in 2005 at Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute.
In 2013 she moved to the MRC Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit at the University of Dundee, and in 2017 she moved to the University of Glasgow, where she is currently Head of the School of Molecular Biosciences. She has served on Wellcome grant panels, including chairing the Expert Review Group for Molecular Mechanisms. She is currently a member of the MRC Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board.