MRC (UKRI)
Precision Prevention: Biological Mechanisms of Response Variation
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The MRC Precision Prevention call funds interventional experimental medicine studies in humans to understand why people respond differently to biomedical prevention interventions, with up to £5 million per project over three to five years. The call is open to researchers employed at eligible UK research organisations, with international co-leads permitted on a capped basis. This is a competitive, one-off call with a total budget of £15 million across the full portfolio.
Details
| Funder | MRC (UKRI) |
| Budget | Up to £5M FEC (max £4M MRC contribution) |
| Deadline | 5 November 2026 |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Consortium | Required — invited team with project lead, UK co-leads, optional international co-leads, and project partners |
| Application | Invite-only: expression of interest then invited full application |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Invite-only funding opportunity for interventional human studies validating mechanistic hypotheses in precision prevention; applicants must have completed a successful expression of interest, MRC funds 80% FEC (100% for exceptions and eligible international costs), and SoECAT required for NHS/health research.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-employed researchers at eligible research organisations (universities, NHS trusts, research institutes)
- •Researchers with access to cohorts or recruitment pathways for mechanistic human intervention studies
- •Teams with expertise in experimental medicine, biomarkers, or stratification science
- •Applicants pursuing human-centred validation of prevention-response mechanisms, not retrospective analysis alone
Key Dates
- •Expression of Interest mandatory by 17 September 2026
- •Full application window 10 September, 5 November 2026
- •Project duration 3-5 years
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Mechanistic clarity is essential: frame your study around a testable hypothesis linking a biological mechanism to observed variation in prevention response.
- ✓International co-leads strengthen mechanistic breadth, but their costs (salary, travel) count toward the 30% cap; budget carefully if you need overseas partners.
- ✓The EOI is gating: use it to signal the cohort access, experimental design feasibility, and mechanism novelty clearly, weak EOIs rarely recover in full review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MRC Precision Prevention call fund?
Interventional experimental medicine studies in humans that test mechanistic hypotheses explaining why people respond differently to biomedical prevention interventions. Studies must include an active intervention arm and a clear biological mechanism of variation.
How much can I apply for under MRC Precision Prevention?
Up to £5 million per project (at 80% Full Economic Cost) for a study running 3-5 years.
Who is eligible to lead an MRC Precision Prevention application?
Researchers employed by an eligible UK research organisation; businesses and charities cannot lead, but international researchers may join as project co-leads with costs capped at 30% of the total.
What is the deadline and application process?
A mandatory Expression of Interest is due 17 September 2026; full applications open 10 September and close 5 November 2026.
Is this call annual or one-off?
This is a one-off call with a total budget of £15 million across all funded projects.
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