UKRI Translation: MRC Proof of Concept: stage one

This Medical Research Council funding opportunity, previously titled "Developmental pathway funding scheme: stage one", supports academically led translational projects that improve the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of significant health needs, or develop research tools that make intervention development more efficient. Eligible work covers novel therapeutic entities, vaccines, biologics, advanced therapies such as gene and cell therapy, regenerative medicine, medicines repurposing, medical devices, digital healthcare, diagnostics and biomarker validation, medical imaging technology, surgical techniques, behavioural and psychological interventions, and radiotherapy protocols, for any human disease in UK or global health contexts. Projects may start and finish at any point on the developmental pathway, from early prototypes through pre-clinical refinement to early-phase clinical studies up to phase 2a, and must present sufficient proof-of-concept data. Fundamental research without a development plan, technology development without a clinical plan, mechanism-focused clinical studies, late-phase trials and service-delivery or population-level solutions are out of scope. There is no limit on funding or duration; MRC funds 80% of the full economic cost and 100% of permitted exceptions, and projects should start one to six months after the funding decision. The closing date is 18 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Project leads must be employed by a research organisation eligible for MRC funding, direct the project and be actively engaged in it. Each person may submit one application as project lead, and at most two stage one applications may be made for the same project. Researchers based at international research organisations cannot lead, but international researchers may join as project co-lead (international); businesses and charities, other than approved UKRI Independent Research Organisations, can take part as project partners.