# Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme

**Funder:** NIHR
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/eme-programme-researcher-led/2026483
**Last updated:** 13 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Researcher-led call funding efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans. Must be hypothesis-driven; hypothesis-generating studies are ineligible. Requires patient/public involvement in study co-design. Clinical trials must comply with UK MHRA regulations and engage an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit. Host institution must be a UK organisation ('domestic' applications).

## Summary

The NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme funds hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans, delivered by UK-based research teams. The call is researcher-led and requires patient and public involvement in study co-design, along with compliance with UK MHRA regulations for clinical trials and engagement of an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit. This is a two-stage process with outline and full application rounds.

## Who should apply

- UK-based research teams at accredited institutions
- Researchers designing hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies
- Teams planning clinical trials compliant with UK MHRA regulations
- Applicants committed to meaningful patient and public involvement in study design
- Studies with clear proof-of-concept objectives in human subjects

## Key dates

- Two-stage application: outline application followed by full application (verify dates on NIHR site)
- Clinical trials must be registered and comply with UK MHRA requirements
- Host institution must be a UK organisation

## Tips for applicants

- Patient and public involvement is mandatory and scored, embed it in co-design from the proposal stage, not as an afterthought.
- Clinical trials require upfront engagement with an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit; delays in trial design will slow your application.
- Hypothesis-driven studies only: clearly state your a priori hypotheses and distinguish them from exploratory or mechanism-generating aims.

## Frequently asked questions

### What types of studies does the NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme fund?

Hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans; hypothesis-generating studies are ineligible.

### Do I need patient involvement for NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation applications?

Yes, patient and public involvement in study co-design is mandatory for all applications.

### Can I run a clinical trial through this programme?

Yes, but clinical trials must comply with UK MHRA regulations and engage an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit.

### Where can I host an NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation study?

Host institutions must be UK-based organisations; overseas applicants are not eligible.

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

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