MRC Announces Funding Pause and Transition Plan Under New UKRI Strategy
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has issued an update regarding significant changes to its funding landscape during the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) transition period. Following an open letter from UKRI Chief Executive Ian Chapman outlining a new strategic investment approach for the 2026-2030 spending review, the MRC has paused several applicant-led funding opportunities, including research grants and partnership grants. While the overall budget for biomedical and health research remains robust, with continued support for fellowships and studentships, the council expects to make fewer awards for applications currently under assessment, with decisions anticipated in April 2026. The pause aims to facilitate a shift towards coordinated, UKRI-wide themes while sustaining curiosity-driven research, which retains a 50% budget commitment. New funding opportunities are expected to reopen in summer 2026, with the broader transition concluding by the start of the 2027-2028 financial year. The MRC acknowledges the uncertainty this causes for researchers but emphasizes the necessity of these steps to maximize public impact and align with refreshed strategic ambitions in understanding disease mechanisms and advanced treatments.
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MRC Announces Funding Pause and Transition Plan Under New UKRI Strategy
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has issued an update regarding significant changes to its funding landscape during the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) transition period. Following an open letter from UKRI Chief Executive Ian Chapman outlining a new strategic investment approach for the 2026-2030 spending review, the MRC has paused several applicant-led funding opportunities, including research grants and partnership grants. While the overall budget for biomedical and health research remains robust, with continued support for fellowships and studentships, the council expects to make fewer awards for applications currently under assessment, with decisions anticipated in April 2026. The pause aims to facilitate a shift towards coordinated, UKRI-wide themes while sustaining curiosity-driven research, which retains a 50% budget commitment. New funding opportunities are expected to reopen in summer 2026, with the broader transition concluding by the start of the 2027-2028 financial year. The MRC acknowledges the uncertainty this causes for researchers but emphasizes the necessity of these steps to maximize public impact and align with refreshed strategic ambitions in understanding disease mechanisms and advanced treatments.
UKRI