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Medical Research Council

UKRI Translation: MRC Impact Acceleration Awards

Single-step support for high-risk medical product development.

OpenMedical Research CouncilUnited Kingdom

The Impact Acceleration Award provides small scale funding to generate critical data needed prior to seeking more substantive funding. It supports academically led translational projects developing a new or repurposed medicine, medical device, diagnostic test, or other medical intervention.

Projects must address a single high-risk development step, focusing on one goal rather than multiple steps.…

Supports academically led translational projects undertaking a single-step package of development work. All human diseases and medical interventions are eligible for support. It will not support fundamental or investigative research without a product development plan, clinical studies mainly investigating disease mechanism, generation of preliminary concept data, pre-clinical safety and toxicology studies, early-phase or late-phase clinical trials, interventions aiming to improve NHS service delivery, late-phase global health trials, same or similar applications previously rejected by other MRC funding panels in the last 12 months, or applications involving multiple work packages.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.11 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.12 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.6–18 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.In-kind assistance
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.—
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.£300K

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Last verified: 27 Aug 2026Funder reference: ukri-post-197455Source: www.ukri.org