Invite only: Precision prevention: biological mechanisms of response variation

This invited full-application stage funds mechanistic human research into why biomedical prevention interventions work differently across people. Projects must test an experimental intervention or challenge in pre-disease or early-disease states, focus on a mechanistic hypothesis and use validated biological readouts to improve the targeting and effectiveness of precision-prevention strategies. Applicants must already have submitted the mandatory expression of interest and been invited to apply. Projects may request up to £5 million in full economic cost over five years; MRC normally funds 80%. Invited applications close on 5 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time.

Only teams invited after the mandatory expression-of-interest stage may submit. The project lead must be employed by an eligible research organisation, direct the project and remain actively engaged. International researchers may participate as project co-leads under UKRI's international eligibility policy; businesses and third-sector organisations cannot lead but may participate as project partners.