# Biomedical Research Centres

**Funder:** NIHR
**Duration:** 5 years (2028–2033)
**Consortium:** Required — single NHS host organisation in England; funding distributed to partners (NHS Trusts, HEIs) via subcontracting or collaboration agreements; all funding-receiving partners must be formally named in the application
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/nihr-biomedical-research-centres-brcs/2026415
**Last updated:** 16 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Only NHS organisations based in England eligible to host; HEIs may partner and claim 100% Direct Costs (no Indirect Costs). Up to £50M per BRC; up to £55M with substantial industry matched co-investment (cash or in-kind). 20% of total budget must fund research capacity development. Supports early-phase translational research infrastructure for 2028–2033 cycle.

## Summary

The NIHR Biomedical Research Centres programme funds established research centres hosted by NHS organisations in England to conduct early-phase translational research over five years (2028-2033). Single NHS hosts may apply, with optional partnership from universities and NHS Trusts; HEIs can claim 100% of direct costs. The call prioritises staff salaries and requires non-staff spending to be fully justified; centres requesting over £50M must demonstrate capacity-building in underserved areas, with an additional £5M available for matched industry partnerships.

## Who should apply

- NHS organisations or NHS service providers in England acting as host organisation
- Higher education institutions seeking 100% direct cost funding alongside NHS partners
- Consortia combining NHS Trusts, provider organisations and universities for translational research
- Centres with capacity to conduct early-phase translational research and demonstrate clinical impact
- Applicants planning industry partnerships on a matched-investment basis (additional £5M available)

## Key dates

- Two-stage application: outline application followed by full application and interview
- Five-year project duration from 2028 to 2033

## Tips for applicants

- HEIs can claim 100% direct costs (no indirect cost restriction) when partnered with an NHS host, use this to maximise research capacity investment.
- If requesting over £50M, frontload evidence of capacity-building in research areas currently underserved by NIHR early-phase translational funding; this is a gating criterion for large budgets.
- Industry partnership lever: a matched-investment deal unlocks an additional £5M, but requires naming all formal partners and investment commitments upfront in the application.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a university lead a NIHR Biomedical Research Centre application?

No, the host organisation must be an NHS organisation or NHS service provider in England. Universities may partner and claim 100% of direct costs, but cannot be the lead applicant.

### What are the main costs funded by NIHR Biomedical Research Centres?

The programme primarily funds staff salaries; non-staff costs must be proportionate and fully justified in the application.

### Is a consortium required for the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre?

No, single NHS host organisations may apply, but collaboration with university and NHS Trust partners is strongly encouraged.

### What is the budget cap for the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre?

There is no stated overall cap, but centres requesting over £50M must demonstrate capacity-building in currently underserved areas of early-phase translational research.

### How much additional funding is available for industry partnerships in the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre?

An additional £5M is available on a matched-investment basis for substantial industry partnerships, with all partners formally named in the application.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nihr-biomedical-research-centres-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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