# Experimental Medicine to Define Mechanisms of Gambling Disorder

**Funder:** MRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Up to £2.4M (80% of £3M FEC)
**Duration:** 3 years
**Consortium:** Optional — project partners (UK or overseas) may be included with cash or in-kind contributions; international co-leads permitted
**Application:** 2-stage: stage 1 panel review → stage 2 full application (opens 15 April 2027, closes 1 September 2027)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/experimental-medicine-to-define-mechanisms-of-gambling-disorder/
**Last verified:** 9 August 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Academically led experimental medicine studies in humans investigating causal mechanisms of gambling disorder. Lead applicant must be based at an MRC-eligible UK research organisation. Gambling industry licence holders subject to the statutory levy are excluded from funding and co-funding. New investigator route available for early-career researchers. Public and patient involvement evidence required.

## Summary

This MRC Experimental Medicine call funds academically led human studies investigating the causal mechanisms of gambling disorder, with up to £2.4 million available over three years. The lead applicant must be based at an MRC-eligible UK research organisation, and the call welcomes optional consortium partners (UK or international) and a new investigator route for early-career researchers. Public and patient involvement evidence is required; gambling industry licence holders subject to the statutory levy are excluded from funding.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at MRC-eligible UK academic or NHS research institutions
- Early-career investigators via the new investigator route, or established experimental medicine researchers
- Teams with demonstrated public and patient involvement in gambling disorder research
- Projects combining experimental medicine approaches (neuroimaging, biomarkers, challenge paradigms) with mechanistic hypothesis-testing

## Key dates

- Funding opportunity opens 8 October 2026; Stage 1 deadline TBC; Stage 2 opens 15 April 2027 and closes 1 September 2027
- Two-stage process: Stage 1 panel review, then full application and evaluation at Stage 2
- Three-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Public and patient involvement is a mandatory evidence requirement, not an optional add-on; frame it as integral to your mechanistic research design from the outset.
- The new investigator route exists; if you are early-career, check whether this reduces competition or alters scoring criteria, clarify with MRC when Stage 1 deadline is announced.
- Consortium partners (including international co-leads) are optional but strengthen translational reach; if you include them, ensure clear roles and cash/in-kind contributions are declared upfront.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the MRC Experimental Medicine gambling disorder call fund?

Up to £2.4 million (80% of £3 million full economic cost) per project over three years.

### Who can apply for the MRC Experimental Medicine gambling disorder grant?

Researchers based at MRC-eligible UK research organisations; early-career researchers may apply via the new investigator route. Gambling industry licence holders subject to the statutory levy are excluded.

### Is public and patient involvement required for the MRC gambling disorder call?

Yes, evidence of public and patient involvement must be included in applications.

### Can I include international collaborators on the MRC gambling disorder application?

Yes, consortium partners from the UK or overseas are optional; international co-leads are permitted with cash or in-kind contributions.

### Is this a recurring call or one-off?

This is a one-off call; funding opportunity opens 8 October 2026.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/mrc-ukri-experimental-medicine-to-define-mechanisms-of-gamb-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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