MRC Experimental Medicine

Experimental Medicine Stage One

Supports United Kingdom experimental medicine teams through early-stage grants for mechanistic healthcare innovation.

The MRC Experimental Medicine programme funds researchers to investigate the causes, progression, and treatment of human disease through mechanistic studies in human participants. Projects must articulate a clear clinical challenge and involve experimental interventions or challenges of established safety — such as pharmacological, immunological, physiological, psychological, or infectious challenges — that test mechanistic hypotheses directly in humans rather than animal models. Applications must include at least two milestones with SMART success criteria. UKRI funds 80% of full economic costs, rising to 100% for permitted exceptions, with no stated total fund cap. The Stage One deadline for the 2026 round is 7 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time; the scheme runs April and October rounds on a recurring annual cycle.

Eligibility is restricted to researchers employed by MRC-eligible UK research organisations. Early-career researchers may apply under a dedicated new-investigator track if they have not previously led a research team or held a substantial multi-year grant. International organisations are generally ineligible, with specific exceptions for MRC units in Gambia and Uganda. Successful Stage One applications receive an invitation to submit a Stage Two full proposal, with the next Stage Two window opening 8 October 2026. Assessment at Stage One is conducted by an MRC panel; Stage Two undergoes expert review followed by a panel funding decision, with the full cycle taking approximately 35 weeks from Stage One submission to funding decision.

Applications are submitted via the UKRI Funding Service. The programme contact is experimental.medicine@mrc.ukri.org. Competitiveness depends heavily on the clarity of the mechanistic hypothesis, the quality of safety data supporting the proposed challenge, and the specificity of the clinical question being addressed. Applicants on the new-investigator track must secure institutional support and demonstrate readiness for independent research leadership as part of their submission.