# MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Five

**Funder:** MRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Up to £21M MRC contribution (80% of up to £26.25M FEC) for first 7 years; up to £500k start-up costs for equipment
**Duration:** Up to 14 years (7-year initial period with review in year 6)
**Consortium:** Optional — project partners and collaborations are assessed but a single lead organisation applies; co-funding partners may be involved
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application (with external peer review and panel interview)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-five/
**Last updated:** 2 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds MRC Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs) in the UK. Lead organisation limit of one application per organisation; resubmissions only if invited. Costs submitted in GBP; mid-range equipment (>£138k single item) requires justification. Proposals must address ethical/RRI considerations, public partnerships, research culture, and Trusted Research & Innovation obligations.

## Summary

The MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Five funds major, long-term interdisciplinary health research centres across the UK, providing up to £21 million MRC contribution (80% of up to £26.25 million full economic cost) for the first seven years, plus up to £500,000 in start-up equipment costs. Lead applicants must be UK-eligible research organisations; international co-leads and partner organisations are welcome, but external partners cannot hold the lead. This is a two-stage call (outline application then invited full application) aimed at teams tackling complex biomedical challenges that require sustained, integrated effort across disciplines.

## Who should apply

- UK-eligible research organisations (universities, NHS trusts, research institutes) as lead applicants
- Large interdisciplinary teams addressing complex biomedical challenges requiring sustained, integrated effort
- Consortia with academic, clinical, and/or international partners, or single-organisation applications
- Applicants able to demonstrate or secure external co-funding to double the MRC investment by year 7
- Research that is not primarily clinical trials or longitudinal population studies

## Key dates

- Expression of interest (voluntary) by 4:00pm UK time on 8 December 2026
- Two-stage: outline application followed by invited full application
- Up to 14 years total (7-year initial funding with review in year 6 for continuation)

## Tips for applicants

- External co-funding is not optional: the call explicitly expects you to double the MRC contribution through other sources by year 7, so start mapping funding partnerships early.
- Lead organisation must be UK-eligible; if you are an international team, identify a UK institution as lead and structure international co-leads as formal partners to the application.
- Clinical trials and longitudinal population studies are out of scope; centres tackling mechanistic, translational, or technology-driven questions score better.

## Frequently asked questions

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

Up to £21 million MRC contribution (80% of up to £26.25 million full economic cost) for the initial seven years, plus up to £500,000 in start-up equipment costs.

### Who can be the lead applicant for an MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

A UK-eligible research organisation such as a university, NHS trust, or research institute; businesses, charities, and international organisations cannot lead but may participate as partners.

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

Up to 14 years total: seven years of initial funding followed by a review in year 6, with potential continuation for a further seven years.

### Can I apply as a single organisation or must I form a consortium?

Both are acceptable; applications can come from a single UK-eligible organisation or a partnership of organisations including international co-leads.

### What types of research are not fundable under this call?

Clinical trials and longitudinal population studies are not eligible; the call prioritises centres undertaking mechanistic, translational, or technology-focused research.

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

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