To apply for a programme grant, you must:
- be a researcher employed by an eligible research organisation
- show that you will direct the proposed research yourself and be actively involved in the work
- have a postgraduate degree, although we expect most applicants to have a PhD or medical degree
- have a substantial record of securing research funding and delivering high-quality research.
The focus of your application must be within one of the four MRC research board science areas:
- infections and immunity
- molecular and cellular medicine
- neurosciences and mental health
- population and systems medicine.
There is a pre-application stage for new MRC programmes. For further information, please see the relevant MRC programme grant funding opportunity:
- infections and immunity programme
- molecular and cellular medicine programme
- neurosciences and mental health programme
- population and systems medicine programme.
Programme grants will usually be based within an academic institution which has the variety of expertise and disciplines to undertake the programme.
You are not eligible to apply for a programme grant if you lead a programme at an:
- MRC institute
- MRC partnership institute
- MRC unit.
Having more than one programme grant at a time
You can only have more than one programme grant at a time in exceptional circumstances. We expect you to focus on leading only one MRC programme. This is why programme leaders at MRC units and institutes are not eligible for this grant.
Should you wish to discuss your exceptional circumstances, please contact the relevant MRC programme manager of the MRC research board applicable to the science area of your application:
- infections and immunity
- molecular and cellular medicine
- neurosciences and mental health
- population and systems medicine.
Including industry partners in applications
You can include industry partners in applications. MRC recognises the value that such partnerships can bring.
For more information, please refer to our guidance on the MRC Industry Collaboration Framework (previously known as MRC Industry Collaboration Agreement process).