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

**Funder:** MRC (UKRI)
**Deadline:** 10 September 2026 (4:00pm UK time)
**Duration:** 14 years
**Application:** Invited full application stage (prior pre-application/outline stage implied by 'invited' designation)
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-four-invited-full-application/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Invited full applications for MRC Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) addressing a defined long-term biomedical or health research challenge over 14 years. Open to UK research organisations; lead applicant must be affiliated with the lead research organisation. Requires standard 20% FEC; no additional matched funding required. International project co-leads permitted. Ministry of Defence participates in assessment.

## Summary

The MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four funds consortia to tackle long-term biomedical and health research challenges over 14 years, with awards made to UK-based lead research organisations. This is an invited full-application stage, meaning consortia must have passed a competitive outline review. Consortia may include international project co-leads and operate on standard 20% full economic cost basis with no requirement for matched funding.

## Who should apply

- UK research organisations serving as the lead institution and host of the lead applicant
- Established research teams with track record in a major biomedical or health research area
- Consortia ready to commit to a 14-year strategic research programme
- Teams with international collaborators, particularly project co-leads from overseas

## Key dates

- Invited full application deadline: 4:00pm UK time, Thursday 10 September 2026
- 14-year funding duration per awarded centre

## Tips for applicants

- You are in the invited stage only if your outline passed the earlier competitive round; confirm your invitation status before submitting the full application.
- The Ministry of Defence participates in assessment, so if your research has any defence, security, or dual-use angle, flag it explicitly and frame its strategic value.
- Matched funding is not required; cost your full economic costs (FEC) at the standard 20% rate to maximise the resource for research delivery.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

It is a 14-year funding scheme supporting UK-hosted consortia to address major long-term biomedical or health research challenges. Awards are made to research organisations; the lead applicant must be affiliated with the lead organisation.

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

Fourteen years per awarded centre.

### Who can apply to the MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

UK research organisations as the lead host, with a lead applicant employed there; international project co-leads are permitted within the consortium.

### Is matched funding required for the MRC Centre of Research Excellence?

No, awards are made at standard 20% full economic cost with no matched funding requirement.

### Is this a one-stage or two-stage application?

This is the invited full-application stage, meaning consortia have already passed a competitive outline-stage review in an earlier round.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/mrc-ukri-mrc-centre-of-research-excellence-round-four-invit-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.