We select new board and panel observers yearly. Applications will open again in early 2026.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is offering the opportunity to observe a board or panel funding meeting, providing valuable insight into the decision-making processes at MRC.
The opportunity is aimed at early to mid-career researchers who are transitioning to independence as defined in skills and experience to win support.
This forms part of MRC’s commitment to the development of people and skills and will prioritise places for underrepresented groups.
MRC also has a board and panel associates scheme.
What the scheme offers
We hope the opportunity to observe an MRC funding meeting:
- enhances transparency and provides insight into the work our research boards and panels do to ensure we fund the best quality science
- allows observers to better understand how complex elements (for example research questions, methodological approach, expected value or impact and cost effectiveness) come together to reach funding decisions
- is informative for observers to help in developing their own successful research applications
- assists observers in providing high-quality reviews
- gives observers the opportunity to provide their views on the assessment process and suggestions for improvements
All observers will:
- receive a briefing on the MRC grant assessment process specific to the funding meeting they are attending
- attend a debriefing session to discuss what they observed at the funding meeting
We encourage observers to use this information for further dissemination and to share their experience with colleagues.
Who can apply
We welcome applications from researchers who are potential applicants to one of the MRC funding opportunities (or equivalent schemes from other funders).
To be eligible to apply, you must be based at an eligible research organisation and fulfil one of the following criteria:
- at a stage in your career where you are transitioning to independence (see career stage ‘Transition to independence’ in Skills and experience needed to win support)
- a research technical professional, if you are applying to the Equipment panel
Eligible career roles
Applicants to the scheme could include those in the following roles:
- junior career fellowships
- intermediate career fellowships
- tenure track
- lectureship
- senior postdoc or staff scientists who are actively developing their independence (for example, project co-leads)
- equivalent roles in industry
- research or technology specialist (for Equipment Panel applicants only)
- senior research or technology specialist (for Equipment Panel applicants only)
- research technician (for Equipment Panel applicants only)
- laboratory or facility manager (for Equipment Panel applicants only)
- relevant scientific disciplines working in clinical or preclinical translation within the MRC remit (for Developmental Pathways Funding Scheme panel applicants only)
For more information about career paths, see the biomedical research roles and career pathways.
Equipment Panel applications
For the Equipment Panel, as well as those transitioning to independence, this opportunity encourages research technical professionals who are seeking to enhance their career development or are beginning to think about applying for grants, or both.
Developmental Pathways Funding Scheme (DPFS) applications
We recognise that DPFS applications can start and finish at any stage on the developmental pathway. This includes stages from early development, through pre-clinical refinement and testing to early-phase clinical studies and trials (up to phase 2a), including research that is highly multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary.
Therefore, under the observer scheme we welcome applications from all relevant scientific disciplines working in clinical or preclinical translation within the MRC remit.
Who can not apply
You are not eligible to apply if:
- you have already established your own research group
- you already hold a substantial grant as fellow or project lead (a substantial grant is typically defined as three or more years long and including salary support for one or more additional team members or comparable award from any organisation)
- you currently have an application for review by the requested board or panel (for example, as project lead, project co-lead, researcher co-lead, staff or project partner)
- you have participated in an equivalent board or panel with another funder
- you have previously observed an MRC board or panel meeting
How to apply
This scheme is currently closed. Applications will open again in early 2026 for selected boards and panels. Details will be available on this page.
UKRI is Disability Confident Committed. We will do our best to support any particular requirements to enable you to apply, and participate fully as an observer if you are successful.
Ask a question or sign up for notifications about the observer scheme
Email: rfpd@mrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 26 August 2025