MRC supports research which provides mechanistic insights into the pathophysiology of major human organs and systems, and the impact of extrinsic factors on the development and trajectory of ill health across the life course.
Through our funding mechanisms, including applicant-led and strategic investment we support a portfolio of research in the following science areas:
- mechanisms underlying ill health of human organs and systems (except the nervous and immune systems)
- maternal ill health and the early origins of disease
- nutrition (related to ill health and disease) and obesity
- trauma, acute medicine and surgery
- inflammation related to disease processes and the resolution of the inflammatory response
- lifestyle, socio-economic and behavioural impacts on disease
- health inequalities
- ageing in the context of ill health
- multiple long-term conditions
- rare diseases
- population and disease-related cohorts relevant to the above science areas
Our remit includes research of global health relevance, including the needs of people in low and middle-income countries, which should include equitable collaborations with researchers based in those countries.
Strategic activities and partnerships
When concerted action in needed, MRC invests through major investment including, institutes, units and MRC Centres of Research Excellence.
These incorporate strong leadership, mission-focused research, training or capacity-building, and the application of innovative technology and methodology to tackle major research challenges.
These investments include strategic partnerships with host universities, and some involve joint support with other funders.
Find out more about institutes, units and centres and facilities and resources that we support.
We also work with a large number of funding partners, research charities and industries to support and promote further research in population and systems medicine.
We also work with a large number of funding partners, research charities and industries to support and promote further research in population and systems medicine.
UKRI and internal partnerships
To increase our data-driven and systems-based approach, we:
- connect our portfolio interests with Health Data Research UK, a national MRC partner institute for health and biomedical informatics research
- promote interactions with other initiatives in biomedical and health informatics
We took an active role in work that resulted in the cross-council vision for food, nutrition and health research jointly published by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council.
National partnerships
Our portfolio includes the following.
UK Rare Disease Research Platform
UK Rare Disease Research Platform is a platform bringing together UK strengths in rare diseases research to improve diagnosis and treatment through better understanding of the disease.
This £14 million investment over five years was supported by MRC and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in July 2023. Funding opportunities in this area support the UK Rare Diseases Framework.
Tackling multimorbidity at scale
‘Tackling multimorbidity at scale’ is a research programme delivered by MRC and the NIHR in partnership with ESRC and in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). MRC has worked in partnership to develop the cross funder multimorbidity research framework (PDF, 230KB) that sets out a vision for how the funding community will drive forward the research agenda to tackle the growing problem of people living with multiple long-term conditions.
UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration
UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration links routine health data to the data collected as part of UK longitudinal cohort studies. Initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic with support from MRC and the NIHR, it helps improve our understanding of disease and interventions. Ongoing funding from MRC and ESRC has preserved this infrastructure resource to continue to further our understanding of the wider determinants of health.
Our Future Health
Our Future Health is an ambitious public, private and charity partnership supporting the UK’s largest health research programme. MRC encourages high-quality research that draws on this data resources to better understand mechanisms of disease and identify feasible interventions to improve health.