DPFS Stage Two
Supports United Kingdom translational medicine teams through DPFS stage-two funding for disease-focused innovation.
The Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) Stage Two is the Medical Research Council's flagship invite-only translational funding instrument, supporting academically-led projects developing novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and other health interventions from early development through phase 2a clinical trials. Stage Two is accessible only to applicants who received a formal invitation following a successful Stage One submission; unsolicited full applications are not accepted. The total fund for the 2026 call is £26,000,000 with no stated upper limit on individual awards, and UKRI funds 80% of full economic costs (fEC), rising to 100% for specifically permitted exceptions. The deadline for Stage Two submissions is 8 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
Applications are submitted through the UKRI Funding Service (Je-S has been decommissioned). Eligible project leads must be employed by UKRI-eligible UK research organisations, typically universities or MRC-approved institutes. International researchers may participate as project co-leads where they can demonstrate a major and unique intellectual contribution, but international organisations cannot lead. Assessment follows a two-step process: independent expert review followed by an MRC panel ranking and funding decision. The scheme addresses both UK and global health needs, with project scope expected to be clearly articulated in relation to an unmet clinical need.
For organisations progressing from Stage One, the critical preparation step is assembling a full costed proposal justified against project scope, along with any required partner or ethics documentation. The DPFS team (dpfsanddcs@mrc.ukri.org) is the primary contact for Stage Two applicants. Given the £26M total pool and no individual award cap, the programme typically supports a small number of substantial translational projects — making strength of scientific rationale and clinical pathway articulation central to competitive applications.
Academically-led translational development of novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and other health interventions from early development through phase 2a clinical trials.
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