# MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four – Invited Full Application

**Funder:** MRC (Medical Research Council)
**Budget:** Up to £21M MRC contribution (80% of up to £26.25M FEC for years 1–7)
**Duration:** Up to 14 years (initial 7-year award, with review at year 6 for second period)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → invited full application (this call is stage 2 only)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-four-invited-full-application/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Invitation-only full application for UK-based researchers at eligible research organisations. Tackles complex, interdisciplinary health challenges over 14 years. Single organisation or multi-organisation partnerships eligible; international co-leads permitted but cannot lead. Businesses and non-approved charities may only participate as project partners. No matched funding required beyond 20% FEC contribution. MRC start date April–September 2027.

## Summary

The MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four funds large-scale, long-term research on complex interdisciplinary health challenges, with up to £21M MRC contribution (80% of up to £26.25M full economic cost) over a 14-year period. This is an invitation-only second-stage call for UK-based researchers at eligible organisations; successful centres are reviewed at year 6 for a potential second seven-year funding period. Single or multi-organisation partnerships are eligible, with international co-leads permitted but not leading the consortium.

## Who should apply

- UK-based research teams at eligible research organisations (invitation-only at this stage)
- Researchers leading work on complex, interdisciplinary health challenges
- Single-organisation or multi-organisation partnerships
- International co-investigators permitted in supporting roles, but UK researcher must lead the centre
- Teams ready to sustain a long-term (14-year) research programme with defined outcomes

## Key dates

- Invitation-only full application stage; application link provided by email to shortlisted outline applicants only
- Initial 7-year award period with mandatory review at year 6 for potential second 7-year funding period
- MRC start date between April and September 2027

## Tips for applicants

- This is stage two only, if you were not invited from the outline round, you cannot apply directly. Check your email for the application link from MRC.
- The year-6 review is not guaranteed renewal; frame your 14-year vision with clear interim milestones and outcomes to convince reviewers at the review gate.
- Multi-organisation partnerships must clarify governance and contribution from each partner; a single lead organisation designated as the main host strengthens administrative clarity.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four fund?

Up to £21M MRC contribution, which covers 80% of full economic cost up to £26.25M for years 1-7 of the first award period.

### How long does an MRC Centre of Research Excellence award last?

Initial 7-year period with a mandatory review at year 6; successful centres may receive a second 7-year funding period, totalling up to 14 years.

### Is the MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four open to all UK researchers?

This is invitation-only at the full application stage; only researchers shortlisted from the outline round receive an application link by email. International co-investigators may participate but cannot lead the centre.

### Do I need matched funding for the MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

No matched funding is required beyond the 20% institutional full economic cost (FEC) contribution, which is not monetary.

### Can international researchers lead an MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

No, the centre lead must be UK-based at an eligible research organisation, though international co-leads are permitted in supporting roles.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/mrc-medical-research-council-mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-four-invit-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.