MRC (UKRI)
MRC Centre of Research Excellence Round Four – Invited Full Application
4:00pm UK time
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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.
Details
| Funder | MRC (UKRI) |
| Deadline | 10 September 2026 |
| Duration | 14 years |
| Application | Invited full application stage (prior pre-application/outline stage implied by 'invited' designation) |
| Eligible countries | GB |
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.
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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