# Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation

**Funder:** MRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Up to £5M over five years (max £3M for first three years)
**Deadline:** 12 January 2027 (16:00 UK time)
**Duration:** Up to 5 years (initially funded for 3 years, further 2 years subject to spending review; mid-point review at 2.5 years)
**Consortium:** Required - lead organisation plus co-leads/partners, may include international project co-leads and project partners with statements of support
**Application:** Single stage application via UKRI Funding Service
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/centres-of-excellence-for-regulatory-science-and-innovation/
**Last updated:** 23 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds UK Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) addressing regulatory science themes including biomarkers/endpoints, personalised healthcare/pharmacogenomics, and novel platform technologies; excludes clinical trials, PhD studentship costs, and infrastructure-only proposals. Projects must start 1 April 2027; UKRI funds 80% FEC domestically, 100% for eligible international co-lead costs (capped at 30% for high-income/India/China partners).

## Summary

MRC's Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) call funds up to £5 million over five years to establish UK centres advancing regulatory science in areas like biomarkers and endpoints, personalised healthcare/pharmacogenomics, and novel platform technologies. It is aimed at consortia led by UK institutions, with international co-leads and partners permitted, and does not cover clinical trials, PhD studentships, or infrastructure-only work. This is a one-off call with a single application stage, funded initially for three years with a possible two-year extension subject to spending review.

## Who should apply

- Lead organisations based in the UK forming a consortium with co-leads and partners
- Teams working on regulatory science themes such as biomarkers/endpoints, pharmacogenomics, or novel platform technologies
- Consortia able to include international project co-leads with supporting statements
- Applicants not seeking funding for clinical trials, PhD studentships, or infrastructure-only proposals

## Key dates

- Deadline: 12 January 2027, 16:00 UK time
- Single-stage application via the UKRI Funding Service
- Up to 5 years total (3 years initial funding, further 2 years subject to spending review, with a mid-point review at 2.5 years); projects must start 1 April 2027

## Tips for applicants

- Assemble the consortium and international co-lead statements of support well before the deadline, since this is a single-stage submission with no resubmission opportunity.
- Budget carefully around the funding structure: UKRI covers 80% FEC for UK partners but 100% for eligible international co-lead costs, capped at 30% for high-income, India, or China partners.
- Keep scope tightly to regulatory science themes, proposals centred on clinical trials, PhD studentship costs, or infrastructure alone are excluded.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the CERSI call provide?

Up to £5 million over five years, with a maximum of £3 million available for the first three years.

### When is the CERSI application deadline?

Applications are due by 16:00 UK time on 12 January 2027, submitted via the UKRI Funding Service.

### Does the CERSI call require a consortium?

Yes, applicants must form a consortium with a lead organisation plus co-leads and partners, which may include international project co-leads and partners with statements of support.

### What can't the CERSI grant be used for?

The call excludes funding for clinical trials, PhD studentship costs, and infrastructure-only proposals.

### How long does CERSI funding last?

Projects run for up to five years: an initial three years, followed by a possible two-year extension subject to spending review, with a mid-point review at 2.5 years.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/mrc-ukri-centres-of-excellence-for-regulatory-science-and-i-2027-01) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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