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Developmental pathway funding scheme: invited stage two

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Opportunity status:

Open

Funders:

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Funding type:

Grant

Total fund:

£11,000,000

Publication date:

26 November 2025

Opening date:

10 December 2025 9:00am UK time

Closing date:

4 March 2026 4:00pm UK time

Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions.

You must be invited to apply for stage two of this funding opportunity.

Your project can start and finish at any stage on the developmental pathway from early development, through pre-clinical refinement and testing to early-phase clinical studies and trials (up to phase 2a).

There is no limit on the amount of funding you can apply for, but it should be appropriate to the project. We usually fund 80% of a project’s full economic cost.

This is an ongoing funding opportunity. Application rounds close every March, July and November.

AI based application success predictor

🧪 1. Strong Fit with MRC’s Scientific Remit

MRC funds high-quality biomedical and health research across discovery, translational, and strategic priorities. Your project should clearly sit within these areas and advance understanding of human health or disease.

👉 Success predictor: Clearly articulate how your project contributes to MRC’s mission and current priority themes in health research.

👩‍🔬 2. High Scientific Merit & Innovation

MRC peer review focuses heavily on:

Scientific quality and novelty

Clarity of hypotheses and aims

Appropriate methodology
Reviewers look for proposals that are innovative, well-designed, and likely to yield important new insights.

👉 Success predictor: Craft a narrative that shows the importance and originality of the research question and the rigor of your approach.

🧠 3. Clear, Well-Written Case for Support

MRC panels include experts across disciplines; proposals need to be accessible to both specialists and informed generalists.

A clear rationale with concise aims helps reviewers quickly grasp your project.

Avoid overly technical language early in the application.

👉 Success predictor: Write for clarity — compelling storytelling linked to solid science increases reviewer engagement.

📊 4. Feasible Plan & Detailed Methods

Reviewers assess feasibility — whether you can do what you propose — and need:

Well-justified sample sizes, power calculations, design choices

Appropriate analytical methods

Contingency plans for likely risks or challenges
This demonstrates that your project can realistically be delivered within the timeline and budget.

👉 Success predictor: Ensure your methods tie directly to your aims and anticipate challenges.

📈 5. Preliminary Evidence/Early Data

Although not always essential, preliminary data can significantly strengthen your case by showing:

Feasibility

Potential for success

Prior expertise in the area

👉 Success predictor: Include meaningful initial data, or strong theoretical justification when data aren’t possible.

👥 6. Strong Team & Institutional Support

Your application should demonstrate that:

The research team has the right expertise

The lead researcher will drive the project

The institution backs the work with appropriate resources and support
Letters of support (when required) signal collaborative commitment and team capability.

👉 Success predictor: Highlight relevant expertise, roles, and institutional commitment clearly.

🧾 7. Well-Justified Budget & Value for Money

MRC scrutinises budgets against project aims to ensure value for public research investment.

Provide realistic costs

Justify each resource

Don’t under- or over-request funds relative to deliverables

👉 Success predictor: A justified, balanced budget that clearly ties to project tasks.

🧪 8. Ethics and Regulatory Compliance

If your research involves humans, animals, tissues or data, your proposal must:

Address ethical considerations

Outline necessary approvals and welfare standards
This reassures reviewers and administrators that the project is responsibly designed.

👉 Success predictor: Include all ethical and regulatory plans/approvals upfront.

🔄 9. Clear Submission & Follow-Up

Before submitting, follow MRC’s recommended checks:

✔ Correct templates and formatting
✔ Realistic start date
✔ Required attachments (CV, data management plan, letters)
✔ Eligibility checks
✔ Internal or mock review for feedback

👉 Success predictor: A polished, compliant application avoids administrative rejection and focuses reviewers on merit.

🧠 10. Peer & Panel Review Reality

MRC uses peer review followed by panel or board decisions. Your proposal is scored by referees then considered collectively; strong narratives and clarity help in both stages.

👉 Success predictor: Aim for balance — detailed enough for experts, clear enough for general reviewers.

📌 Practical Success Checklist

Match MRC remit and priorities

Compelling, innovative scientific idea

Clear aims and narrative

Sound methodology with risk mitigation

Preliminary data or strong rationale

Strong team and institutional commitment

Justified budget

Regulatory and ethical readiness

Final compliance checks before submission

Specialties

Data Science

Technology Development

Eligibility Requirements

You can only apply for this funding opportunity if we have invited you to do so following a successful stage one application.

This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible.

Who is eligible to apply

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity you must:

show that you will direct the project and be actively engaged in the work
be part of a team that submitted a Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) stage one application and, after successful assessment, have been invited to submit a stage two application for this funding opportunity. Additional team applicants can be included that were not in the stage one application
or, be part of a team that have been invited to submit a DPFS stage two application as part of a panel-approved resubmission

If you do not have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project, by submitting an application the research organisation is confirming, if it is successful:

contracts will be extended beyond the end date of the project
all necessary support for you and the project will be provided, including mentorship and career development for early career researchers

International researchers

As Medical Research Council (MRC) is a lead funder for this funding opportunity, international researchers can apply as ‘project co-lead (international)’.

Project co-leads (international) make a major intellectual contribution to the design or conduct of the project. Their contribution and added value to the research should be clearly explained and justified in the application, see Applicant and team capability to deliver.

Read the UKRI project co-lead (international) eligibility for more details. Contact us if you are uncertain about eligibility.

You should include all other international collaborators as project partners.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

career breaks
support for people with caring responsibilities
flexible working
alternative working patterns

UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Medical Research Council (MRC)

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Polaris House Swindon SN2 1FL

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