The principal investigator (PI) must be based at the lead organisation, which should be one of the following six types of organisation.
Higher education institutions
All UK higher education institutions (HEI) that receive grant funding from one of the UK higher education funding bodies are eligible to receive funds for research, postgraduate training and associated activities. These bodies consist of Research England, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy (DfE).
Independent research organisations (IROs) and NHS bodies
A number of IROs are also eligible to apply for funding. Check if your IRO is eligible or learn how to apply to be an IRO.
NHS bodies with research capacity (the Board, NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Special Authority, NHS Trust, NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Local Health Board) are eligible to apply as lead applicants.
Public Sector Research Establishments
Check if your public sector research establishment can apply for funding or may be eligible.
MRC institutes (MRC Harwell, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences and MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)
MRC institutes may apply for MRC grants (except programme and centre grants). Funding is available to support research that is clearly additional to existing ‘core’ support and 100% of direct costs will be awarded. Applications to MRC Research Boards are not normally expected and require prior agreement between the Institute Director and MRC Head of Theme. See section 3.8 for more information.
MRC units and partnership Institutes
MRC units and partnership Institutes (Francis Crick Institute, Health Data Research UK, UK Dementia Research Institute) may apply for MRC grants (except programme and centre grants). Funding is available to support research that is clearly additional to existing ‘core’ support and will be awarded following usual FEC rules. MRC units apply as a department of the University. See section 3.9 for more information.
Institutes and units funded by other research councils
Institutes and units funded by other research councils are eligible to apply as a lead applicant for MRC funding due to a reciprocal arrangement between councils. They should also apply for 80% of full economic costs.
Research and technology organisations
The UK’s network of Catapult centres are classified as research and technology organisations. There are nine Catapult centres. No other organisation meets the definition for a research and technology organisation and you cannot apply to become one.
Catapult centres can apply to become eligible for research grants on some MRC funding opportunities.