Objectives:
- Support academically-led translational projects to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and other interventions.
- Address significant health needs by improving prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.
- Develop research tools that enhance the efficiency of intervention development.
- Support projects at any stage on the developmental pathway from prototype development, pre-clinical refinement/testing, to early-phase clinical studies/trials (up to phase 2a).
- Enable generation of critical data to de-risk further development.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Researchers employed by eligible UK research organizations eligible for Medical Research Council (MRC) funding.
- Project leads must be actively engaged and direct the project.
- International researchers can participate as project co-leads but not as primary leads (exceptions for certain MRC units).
- Encourages diversity and supports flexible working, career breaks, and accessibility needs.
Application Process:
- Applications submitted via the UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S system).
- Project lead completes the application with contributions from team members and partners.
- Application rounds close every March, July, and November.
- Two-stage assessment: Stage one application reviewed by an expert panel; successful applicants invited to stage two.
- Assessment criteria include project fit, market opportunity, scientific background, development plan, team capability, IP management, ethics, and risk management.
- Feedback provided within eight weeks of panel meeting.
- Applicants must justify project duration, funding amount (usually 80% of Full Economic Cost), and resources requested.
- Collaboration with charities or industry encouraged but not mandatory.
- Letters of support required from project partners.
Key Features:
- No funding cap; funding typically covers 80% of full economic costs.
- Supports a wide range of interventions including drugs, vaccines, biologics, medical devices, digital health, diagnostics, surgical tools, behavioral interventions, and radiotherapy.
- Does not fund fundamental research, late-phase clinical trials, or projects focused on health service delivery improvements.
- Encourages ethical research and responsible innovation.
- Provides support for project management, mentorship, and career development.
- Emphasizes reproducibility, statistical design, and risk management.
- Requires clear IP management and plans for dissemination.
- Supports international collaboration with funding limits for high-income country partners.
- Offers resources and guidance for regulatory and ethical approvals.
This funding scheme aims to accelerate the translation of innovative health interventions from early development through to early clinical testing, fostering impactful research that can lead to patient and public health benefits.
