# Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasures R&D

**Funder:** MRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Up to £4M (80% FEC)
**Deadline:** 20 October 2026 (Expression of interest deadline; full application opens 5 November 2026, closes 20 January 2027)
**Duration:** Up to 30 months
**Consortium:** Optional — collaboration with UK industry partners and project partners encouraged but not a prerequisite for application
**Application:** 2-stage: mandatory expression of interest → full application (by invitation)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/expression-of-interest-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-cbrn-medical-countermeasures-rd/
**Last updated:** 13 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for pre-clinical and early translational R&D of medical countermeasures for CBRN threats, from prototype development through early-phase clinical studies (up to phase 2a). Applicant must be employed by a UK-based eligible research organisation; international and commercial organisations cannot lead or partner as project lead.

## Summary

This MRC (UKRI) call funds pre-clinical and early translational R&D on medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, covering work from prototype development through early-phase clinical studies up to phase 2a, with up to £4M per project at 80% FEC over up to 30 months. It is aimed at researchers at UK-based eligible research organisations who can act as project lead; international and commercial organisations may participate but not lead. This is a one-off call requiring a mandatory expression of interest before an invited full application stage.

## Who should apply

- Researchers employed by a UK-based eligible research organisation able to act as project lead
- Teams working on pre-clinical or early translational CBRN medical countermeasures
- Projects spanning prototype development through early-phase clinical studies (up to phase 2a)
- Applicants open to involving UK industry or project partners, though not required
- Groups able to prepare a mandatory expression of interest ahead of an invited full application

## Key dates

- Mandatory expression of interest due 20 October 2026
- Full application (by invitation only) opens 5 November 2026 and closes 20 January 2027
- Up to 30-month project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Treat the expression of interest as a genuine gate, only invited applicants can submit a full application, so make the case for feasibility and CBRN relevance sharply at that stage.
- Since the project lead must sit at a UK-based eligible research organisation, structure any industry or international involvement as a partner role rather than co-lead from the outset.
- With up to 30 months and a scope spanning prototype to phase 2a, scope the project plan tightly to what is achievable in that window rather than proposing a full clinical development pathway.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the MRC CBRN Medical Countermeasures R&D call provide?

Up to £4M per project at 80% full economic cost (FEC).

### What is the deadline for the MRC CBRN Medical Countermeasures call?

The mandatory expression of interest is due 20 October 2026; invited full applications open 5 November 2026 and close 20 January 2027.

### Who can lead a project for this MRC CBRN call?

Only individuals employed by a UK-based eligible research organisation can act as project lead; international and commercial organisations cannot lead or partner as lead.

### Is a consortium required for the MRC CBRN Medical Countermeasures call?

No, collaboration with UK industry and project partners is encouraged but not required to apply.

### What stage of research does this MRC CBRN call fund?

It funds pre-clinical and early translational R&D, from prototype development through early-phase clinical studies up to phase 2a.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/mrc-ukri-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-cbrn--2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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