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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The 'Molecular and cellular medicine: new investigator' grant aims to support individual researchers in the field of molecular and cellular medicine. Its core objective is to help these 'new investigators' take the crucial next step towards becoming fully independent researchers, establishing their own research programs focused on advancing understanding of human health and disease.

Core Objective: To fund research in molecular and cellular medicine, enabling 'new investigators' to transition to independent researcher status.
Target Recipient Type: Individual researchers who are considered 'new investigators' (e.g., postdoctoral research assistants, lecturers, junior fellows, or other research staff).
Target Recipient Size: Not applicable in a traditional business size context; targets individuals within research organisations.
Sector Specificity: SECTOR-SPECIFIC – focused exclusively on molecular and cellular medicine.
Geographic Scope: The primary applicant (project lead) must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. International project co-leads can be included and can receive funding for their part of the work.
Key Filtering Criteria: Applicant must be a 'new investigator' (defined as not having previously led a research team or been awarded a substantial grant as a project lead, and not having held a prior 'transition to independence' award). The research must fall within the scope of molecular and cellular medicine.
Grant Frequency: This is an ongoing funding opportunity, meaning it's recurring and not a one-time call.
Program Context: Part of the Medical Research Council's (MRC) broader strategy to foster future leaders in health research, providing a stepping stone to full research independence.

Financial Structure

Understanding the financial aspects is key for budgeting and securing institutional support. Funding Amounts

Typical Project Cost: The typical full economic cost (FEC) of a project is under £1 million.
Funding Amount per Project: There is no explicit limit to the funding you can apply for, provided it is appropriate and justified for the project's objectives.
Currency: All amounts are in GBP (£).

Funding Rate and Matching Funds

Standard Funding Rate: The Medical Research Council (MRC) will typically fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of your project.
Matching Fund Requirement: Your host research organisation is responsible for securing the remaining 20% of the FEC from other resources.

Exceptions Funded at 100% FEC Certain costs can be funded at 100% of their eligible value: - International Collaborating Organisations: Direct costs for work undertaken by international project co-leads at international organisations are funded at 100%. - For international co-leads from high-income countries (not on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients), India, or China, the total requested costs must not exceed 30% of the total resources requested for the whole project. - There is no cap on costs requested for international applicants from countries on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients. For these countries, MRC may also contribute towards indirect and estates costs (usually at 20% of the directly incurred costs) if it aids in developing research capacity. - Public Partnership Costs: Costs related to involving public partners, including payments for their time, travel, and expenses, are funded at 100%. - DNA Sequencing: If DNA sequencing is carried out through a contract to an institution or organisation ineligible to apply for UKRI funding, it can be funded at 100%. - Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) & Experimental Medicine: Certain sub-contract costs with Contract Research Organisations (CROs) exceeding £50,000 for regulatory-standard activities (e.g., GLP pre-clinical toxicology, GMP synthesis) can be funded at 100% if robustly justified and academic skills are unavailable. Eligible Cost Categories You can request funding for costs directly related to the project, including: - A contribution to your salary (the project lead), up to 50% of your total working time. - Contribution to the salary of any co-leads. - Support for other posts, such as research and technical staff. - Research consumables. - Equipment (items costing over £25,000 should be listed under the 'equipment' category; items under £25,000 under 'directly incurred: other'). - Travel costs (for project staff, collaborators, and specific conferences). - Data preservation, data sharing, and dissemination costs. - Estates and indirect costs (at 80% FEC, or 20% of directly incurred for certain international partners). - NHS research costs (when associated with NHS studies, usually 80% FEC). - Public partnerships and related activities, including payments to public contributors. - Visa fees or certificate of sponsor costs for directly incurred staff (if 50% or more time on project). - Immigration health surcharge costs for directly incurred staff (if 50% or more time on project). - Relocation costs for named staff (if institutional policy). - Consultancy fees and subcontractor costs. - Payments and incentives for healthy volunteers (for expenses, time, and inconvenience, not inducement). Ineligible Cost Categories MRC will not fund: - Research involving randomised trials of clinical treatments. - Costs for PhD studentships (MRC supports these through block grants to organisations, not individual project grants). - Publication costs (e.g., Article Processing Charges), as these are typically covered by institutional block grants. - Funding intended to serve as a 'bridge' between grants. - General printing or postage costs not specific to the project. - Basic computing equipment for directly allocated staff already employed by the organisation (unless specifically justified). - General miscellaneous expenditure or contingency costs. - Carbon offsetting costs arising from project-related travel. - Patent costs and other intellectual property costs. - Costs that are not sufficiently justified. - Travel and subsistence for UK-based researchers working overseas (unless incurred directly by the international organisation for UK researcher's activity in that country). - Costs of services or products procured from international suppliers for use in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements

This grant has very specific criteria to ensure it supports researchers at a particular career stage. It's vital to check these carefully before applying. Organizational Eligibility (Host Institution)

Eligible Organization Types: Your project must be hosted by an 'eligible research organisation'. This typically includes:
- Higher education providers (universities)
- Research institutes
- Public sector research establishments
- NHS bodies
- Independent research organisations
- Catapult centres
Geographic Requirement: The lead research organisation (where the project lead is based) must be in the UK. Limited exceptions for project leads are MRC Unit The Gambia and MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit. International research organisations can participate as host institutions for project co-leads.
Support Requirement: The host research organisation must provide formal support for your application, including a statement of commitment, mentorship, career development, and financial backing (e.g., salary contribution).

Individual Applicant Eligibility ('New Investigator')

Primary Status: You must be a 'new investigator' who is ready to 'transition to independence'. This means you:
- Have not previously led a research team.
- Have not been awarded a 'substantial grant' as a fellow or project lead (a 'substantial grant' is typically defined as lasting three or more years and including salary support for one or more additional team members).
- Have not already held an award that facilitates the transition to independence.
- Have not applied for an MRC new investigator grant twice before (if your previous two applications were unsuccessful, you are ineligible).
- Do not have any other UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fellowship application (e.g., Career Development Award, Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Future Leaders Fellowship) currently under consideration.
- Must be the sole intellectual leader of the proposed work.
Current Employment: You can apply if you are:
- A postdoctoral research assistant (grant cannot start until current work finishes).
- Holding a lecturer appointment, junior fellowship, or another research staff position.
- Holding, or have held, an early career training fellowship (e.g., MRC skills development fellowship).
- Not currently based at the eligible research organisation that will host your new investigator award (you can apply to move).
Experience Level: You can be either a non-clinical or clinically active researcher, and you can have any number of years of experience, provided you meet the 'transition to independence' criteria.
Contract: You do not need to have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project at the time of application, but your host research organisation must confirm they will extend your contract and provide necessary support if the grant is successful.

Ineligibility / Exclusion Criteria

You are not eligible if you:
- Have already achieved independence (as defined above).
- Have previously received a grant or award aimed at facilitating transition to independence.
- Have had two previous unsuccessful applications for this specific MRC new investigator grant.
- Are currently applying for or have under consideration another UKRI fellowship.
- Are applying as a project lead from an international research organisation (unless it's MRC Unit The Gambia or MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit).

Application Process

Applying for this grant requires careful attention to detail and adherence to the specific process outlined by UKRI. Application Platform

All applications must be submitted online through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. The previous Je-S system is no longer used for this opportunity.

Application Deadlines and Timeline

Opening Date: 2 May 2025, 9:00am UK time
Closing Date: 4 September 2025, 4:00pm UK time (This is a strict deadline; late applications will not be accepted).
Internal Deadlines: Be aware of and follow any internal deadlines set by your research organisation, as they are responsible for final submission to UKRI.
Project Start Date: If successful, projects typically start one to six months after the funding decision date. An announced start date will be provided at least three months after the offer letter is issued.
Grant Duration: Typically three years, but a longer duration can be justified if necessary. Grants are generally not renewable.

Application Procedure

Check Eligibility: Ensure both your organisation and your individual 'new investigator' status meet all criteria.
Start Application: Access the application form via the 'Start application' button on the UKRI Funding Finder page.
Account Setup: Confirm you are the Project Lead. Sign in or create a UKRI Funding Service account. If your organisation is not listed, allow at least 10 working days for it to be added.
Complete Application: Fill in all required sections directly in the online text boxes. You can save your progress and return later.
Visual Elements: Images (JPEG, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WEBP; <5MB) can be included to convey important visual information, but must have descriptive captions. Do not include sentences, paragraphs, or tables within images.
References: Include references within the word count of the relevant section. Use persistent identifiers where possible.
Review and Submit: Allow sufficient time to review your application in 'read-only' mode before sending it to your research office. Your research office will check the application and then submit it to UKRI.

Required Documentation and Materials Applications are structured around specific questions and require detailed responses within word limits: - Summary: A public-facing, plain English summary (max 550 words). - Core Team: List key team members and their roles (Project Lead, Co-leads, Specialists, etc.). - MRC Research Area: Select the primary MRC research area your application aligns with. - Applicant Fit to the Funding Opportunity: Justify your eligibility as a 'new investigator' (max 250 words). - Vision: Explain what you hope to achieve and its potential impact (max 550 words). - Approach: Detail how you will deliver the work, including methodology, risks, and a project plan (max 2,800 words). - Reproducibility and Statistical Design: Information on how your work will be reliable, robust, and reproducible (max 500 words). - Data Management and Sharing: Provide a data management plan following the MRC template (max 1,500 words). - Career Development: Explain how this award contributes to your long-term career goals and independence (max 250 words). - Applicant and Team Capability to Deliver: Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to demonstrate relevant skills and experience (max 1,650 words). - Research Organisation Support: A clear statement of commitment from your host organisation (max 1,000 words). - Project Partners: Details of any project partners and a single PDF upload of their letters/emails of support. - Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF): Complete this section if your application includes industry or company project partners. - Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I): Statement on international collaboration in sensitive areas (max 100 words). - Facilities: Details if your research requires specific facilities. - Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): Describe ethical/RRI implications and management. - Genetic and Biological Risk: Details if applicable, including approvals. - Research Involving Animals/Human Participation/Human Tissues: Specific templates/statements required if applicable (e.g., Animals Scientific Procedures Act template). - Resources and Cost Justification: Justify all requested resources and costs (max 1,000 words). - Clinical Research using NHS Resources: Complete and upload a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT) if applicable. - Related Applications: Detail any related previous or concurrent applications. Application Assistance

Remit/Scientific Queries: Contact [email protected]
General Funding/Policy Queries: Contact [email protected]
Funding Service System/Technical Queries: Contact support@funding-service.ukri.org (Phone: 01793 547490)

Multiple Applications and Resubmissions

You can only have one new investigator or fellowship application under consideration by MRC at any given time.
If an application is unsuccessful, you cannot re-apply for at least 12 months, unless specifically invited to resubmit early.
You cannot apply for this grant as a new investigator if you have had two previous unsuccessful applications for it.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for this grant will be assessed rigorously based on the following key areas: Core Assessment Areas

Vision of the Project: How excellent and important is your proposed work? Does it have the potential to significantly advance current understanding or generate new knowledge in molecular and cellular medicine? Is it timely? What are its potential impacts on world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment? Assessors will look for identified direct/indirect benefits and how it can improve human or population health.
Approach to the Project: How will you deliver your proposed work? Is your design effective, appropriate, and feasible? Have you thoroughly identified and planned to manage risks? Is your methodology clear and transparent? How will you build upon previous work and maximise the translation of your research into real-world outcomes and impacts? This section also evaluates your access to necessary facilities and infrastructure, and requires a project plan including milestones and timelines (e.g., a Gantt chart).
Reproducibility and Statistical Design: How reliable, robust, and reproducible is your proposed work? This includes details on statistical analyses, methodology, experimental design, sample/effect sizes, how potential sources of bias will be mitigated, and how diversity (e.g., inclusion of male and female animals/tissues) is reflected in your design.
Data Management and Sharing: Your application must clearly detail how you will manage and share data collected, demonstrating compliance with MRC's data management and sharing policies.
Career Development: How will this specific award contribute to your personal career development as a project lead? Assessors want to understand your long-term career goals, how the grant will help you develop your own research profile, achieve independence as the sole intellectual leader, secure future grants, and establish/lead a research team. Your plans to contribute positively to the wider research community (e.g., through EDI, advocacy, peer review) are also assessed.
Applicant and Team Capability to Deliver: Why are you and your team the right individuals to successfully deliver this project? Evidence of relevant experience (appropriate to your career stage), a balanced mix of skills and expertise, strong leadership and management skills, and contributions to a positive research environment are crucial. The Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format is used here.
Research Organisation Support: The quality and commitment of support from your host research organisation is assessed. This includes how your expertise fits within the organisation's strategies, development/training opportunities, mentoring arrangements, financial support (including salary contribution), and how the organisation will integrate you and support your independence.
Ethical and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Considerations: You must demonstrate that you have identified, evaluated, and planned to manage all relevant ethical or RRI implications of your proposed work.
Resources and Cost Justification: Assessors will scrutinise your justification for requested resources, particularly more costly items (e.g., specific staff, significant travel, equipment over £25,000, consumables, facilities, international co-leads, NHS research costs, animal costs, public involvement). You must show that resources are comprehensive, appropriate, justified, and represent optimal use to achieve intended outcomes and impacts.

Cross-cutting Themes Affecting Scoring

Innovation: Preference for research involving the development of new tools and technologies relevant to the molecular and cellular medicine remit.
Social Impact / SDG Alignment: Strong emphasis on how the project will benefit human/population health, alleviate disease/disability, improve quality of life, or benefit health services/industry. While not explicitly tied to SDGs, the impact expectations align with several (e.g., SDG3: Good Health and Well-being).
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Considered in various aspects, including encouraging diverse applicants, supporting flexible working, and requiring diversity in study populations and experimental design.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Adhering to specific compliance, regulatory, and unique requirements is critical for this grant. Regulatory Compliance

Ethical Standards: All research must adhere to the highest achievable standards of scientific integrity and good research practice, as detailed in MRC's guidelines. You must identify, evaluate, and manage all ethical or Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) implications.
Data Protection and Privacy: Compliance with UK data protection legislation and MRC's published data management and sharing policies is mandatory. A detailed data management plan is required.
Animal Research: If your project involves vertebrate animals, compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act is required. For overseas animal research, welfare standards consistent with UK standards must be maintained, and relevant templates/statements provided.
Human Research: If involving human subjects, their data, or tissues, appropriate permits, authorizations, and ethical approvals must be obtained (e.g., from Health Research Authority in the UK). Justification for participant numbers, diversity, and procedures is required.
Genetic and Biological Risk: If your research involves genetic or biological risk (e.g., genetic modification, release of GMOs), you must identify risks, their implications, and planned mitigation. Relevant approvals must be sought.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I): UKRI emphasizes integrity in international collaboration. If your proposed work involves international collaboration in a sensitive research or technology area (e.g., those related to the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act's 17 areas), you must demonstrate how your project will comply with UKRI's TR&I approach and mitigate potential risks.
Industry-Specific Compliance: If collaborating with industry or company partners, strict adherence to the MRC Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF) is required, including specific documentation and answers to ICF questions. Failure to comply can lead to rejection.
Labor Standards: Applicants are encouraged to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment, which promotes fair working conditions and career development for researchers and technicians.
NHS Research Costs: If your clinical research uses NHS resources, completion of a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT) is required to be eligible for National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) support.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Intellectual property (IP) and project output entitlements are determined between the collaborating parties, but must align with relevant subsidy control regulations. Formal collaboration agreements are required for audit purposes if an award is made.

Special Considerations and Unique Aspects

Transition to Independence Focus: This grant is specifically designed for 'new investigators' who have not yet achieved full research independence. It is not suitable for established researchers or for 'bridge funding' between grants.
Individual Leadership: While team science and interdisciplinary research are encouraged, the applicant (new investigator) must clearly demonstrate they are the sole intellectual leader of the application and the proposed work. Including a current or recent supervisor/lab head in the core team is generally discouraged unless specifically justified, as it might obscure your leadership role.
Salary Contribution: The grant contributes to the project lead's salary for up to 50% of their total working time, distinguishing it from full-time fellowships.
Non-Renewable: New investigator research grants are typically not renewable.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): MRC is strongly committed to EDI. Applications from diverse researchers are encouraged, and support for flexible working, career breaks, and caring responsibilities is provided. Embedding diversity in research design (e.g., diverse study populations, use of male/female animals/tissues) is expected.
Public Partnerships: Encouraged, with eligible costs for public contributors' time and involvement.
COVID-19 Impact: Reviewers and panel members are advised to consider the unequal impacts of COVID-19-related disruptions on applicants' careers and capability to deliver research.
Generative AI Use: Permitted for applicants to prepare funding applications, but reviewers and panellists are not permitted to use generative AI tools for assessment to protect confidentiality.
Strategic Opportunities: Successful grant holders are eligible to register for the Academy of Medical Sciences mentoring scheme. Collaboration with researchers in Norway is explicitly mentioned as a potential international agreement.

Grant Details