The aim of the scheme is to support internationally competitive independent investigators to:
- lead an ambitious research programme
- pursue research training opportunities to develop their career
- make the transition to research leader.
You must be able to:
- explain why a fellowship is the best way to support your long-term career goals and chosen career path to become a research leader, for example by identifying career development opportunities such as management and leadership training
- show ambitious and credible ideas for using the fellowship to enable a step-change in your career
- describe your experience of managing your own independent research group, including influencing and supporting others to maximise their potential
- show how your skills and experience match those of the transition to leadership career stage in our applicant skills and experience criteria
A senior fellowship is not merely a large personal grant.
We welcome applications from across all areas of MRC’s remit to improve human health. This may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease, to translational and developmental clinical research.
We expect your clinical work will help to inform and strengthen your research work.
MRC science areas include:
- infections and immunity
- molecular and cellular medicine
- population and systems medicine
- neurosciences and mental health
- translation
- global health
- methodology
- public health.
Explore MRC’s areas of scientific remit.
We also welcome proposals for interdisciplinary approaches or research that will address global health issues and be of benefit to those living in low and middle-income countries.
What the fellowship gives you
The senior clinical fellowship provides support for up to five years. We expect you to take advantage of the full five years’ funding available.
If you are intending to apply for a shorter period, you should contact the programme manager (fellows@mrc.ukri.org) before submitting a proposal. These periods are based on full-time equivalents.
Awards may be held on a part-time basis to meet personal commitments but not because of other professional commitments.
We expect you to take up your fellowship no more than six months after the date of the review meeting.
This fellowship scheme provides a competitive salary, giving you the chance to concentrate fully on your research, training and development. You may:
- spend up to six hours a week (pro-rated for part-time fellowships) on other commitments such as teaching, demonstrating, or other funded projects
- undertake up to two clinical sessions a week.
Read MRC’s guidance on research staff development.
For surgeons and fellows undertaking patient-oriented projects where the clinical sessions will be of direct relevance to the research, applicants may undertake up to four clinical sessions a week.
We may allow greater flexibility on the time dedicated to non-fellowship activities (for example, those detailed above or obtaining grant support) during the second half of a fellowship. Email the programme manager at fellows@mrc.ukri.org to discuss your plans.
Find out more about what to expect as an MRC fellow.
Funding available
For the senior clinical fellowship, you can request a salary contribution of 50% of your total contracted working time. The expectation remains that 100% of your contracted working time is focused on your research, training, and development. Salary for the remaining 50% must be underwritten by the research organisation.
These awards are made under the full economic costing framework, with MRC funding 80% of the full economic cost. This will result in a total salary contribution of 40% from MRC and 60% from the research organisation.
The fellowship will also provide funding for:
- research staff costs
- consumables expenses
- travel costs
- appropriate capital equipment.
This award will also support a period of research overseas, at a second UK institution or within the industry, whichever is most appropriate.
We encourage successful applicants to take advantage of these opportunities to establish collaborative networks and cross-sector development.
There is no limit to the amount of funding you can request under this scheme, however awards do not typically exceed £2 million (80% full economic cost).
Requests must be appropriate to the project, and you must be able to justify the amount you need to meet the objectives of your research proposal.
You cannot hold a salaried position and a fellowship at the same time. If you are awarded a fellowship, you will need to give up the permanent position for the duration of the fellowship or change to a proleptic appointment.
If you want to retain an existing position and combine this with research funding, we recommend you look at 1 of our grant funding opportunities instead.
Search MRC grant funding opportunities.
Joint funders
MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly-funded senior clinical fellowships.
These awards offer the prestige of having the relevant organisation co-fund your fellowship and may offer additional opportunities to report on your project, present your work at meetings and take part in professional networking.
We are inviting applications for the following jointly-funded senior clinical fellowship schemes.
MRC-Motor Neurone Disease Association Lady Edith Wolfson fellowships
These awards support clinicians who want to pursue research into the pathogenesis and treatment of motor neurone disease. The Motor Neurone Disease Association and MRC will co-fund successful applicants.
If you have any queries about this fellowship or your proposed research area, contact Dr Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development, brian.dickie@mndassociation.org
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is leading the fight against the UK’s biggest and growing health crisis. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm and we fight diabetes through support, information, campaigning and research. As part of our research ambitions, we’re committed to attracting new research talent and retaining expertise so that we are growing the next generation of the future leaders.
We are partnering with MRC on a suite of research training fellowships to help grow investment in diabetes research careers. These include:
- clinical research training fellowship
- clinical scientist fellowship
- senior clinical fellowship
- career development award
- senior non-clinical fellowship
We will jointly fund up to 1 fellowship annually across these funding schemes. We will consider high quality applications into any aspect of diabetes and its related complications.
For further information regarding the charity’s work, including the research strategy, please visit the Diabetes UK website.
