The aim of this area of investment is to fund applied health research for global benefit with a focus on contextual relevance, equitable partnerships and global health impact. We recognise that global populations face diverse health challenges and we need varied disciplines and stakeholders to tackle these challenges.
The applied global health research board funds research projects that will provide equitable global health benefits.
Applied research is defined as research seeking practical solutions to health challenges from late-stage intervention development onwards. This includes:
- intervention development and testing
- implementation research
- scale-up research
- health economics and research.
The aim is to support uptake of evidence into policy and practice with a predominantly applied focus that does not fit within the remit of other MRC boards and panels.
We also welcome cross-sector research combining expertise to meet a global health challenge. For example, a single proposal may include aspects of urban planning, health policy and non-communicable disease research. The research question might involve different disciplines and approaches from outside the health sector, but the primary objective must be health focused.
The resources requested should be commensurate with the objectives of the proposal. Application sizes include large applications of approximately £1 million, and small to medium scale applications. The board will take into account value for money when assessing proposals.
Areas of focus
Examples of areas in which applied research may be conducted include, but are not limited to, the following:
- maternal and neonatal health
- early childhood development
- adolescent health
- healthy ageing
- sexual and reproductive health
- infectious diseases, including neglected tropical diseases and COVID-19
- non-communicable diseases, including mental health disorders
- multimorbidity
- nutrition and food security
- snakebite
- intentional and unintentional injury
- urban health, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, road traffic accidents and healthy housing
- planetary health
- informal settlements, conflict zones and displaced populations
- primary, secondary and tertiary prevention
- detection and diagnostics
- mHealth
- treatment, including surgery
- pain management and palliative care.
The following grant schemes are available through the applied global health research board:
You must follow the supplementary guidance for outline submissions to the applied global health research board (PDF, 632KB). This document provides details of:
- the application process
- how this funding opportunity differs from other MRC schemes
- the assessment criteria.
Although New Investigator Research Grants are not available through the applied global health research board, we are committed to supporting early career researchers in applied global health. The board will consider each applicant’s career stage and proposed mentorship arrangements during funding decisions.
Areas we will not fund
We will not fund discovery research or research that includes an applied component that fits within a current board or panel remit. This includes early translation.
If your proposal includes health systems research or a late phase clinical trial, please contact the MRC international team to determine whether it fits the remit of the applied global health board. Contact details are listed below.