The aim of this scheme is to support talented researchers who have gained a higher research degree to:
- lead their own research plans
- establish their own research team
- make the transition to independent investigator
You must be able to:
- explain why a fellowship is the best way to support your long-term career goals and chosen career path to become an independent investigator in a medical research field
- describe how a fellowship would help you to move to the next level in your career through a step-change in your current role
We welcome applications from across all areas of MRC’s remit to improve human health. This may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease, to translational and developmental clinical research.
MRC science areas include:
- infections and immunity
- molecular and cellular medicine
- population and systems medicine
- neurosciences and mental health
- translation
- global health
- methodology
- public health
Explore MRC’s areas of scientific remit.
We also welcome proposals for interdisciplinary approaches or research that will address global health issues and be of benefit to those living in low and middle-income countries.
What the fellowship gives you
The career development award provides support for up to five years. We expect you to take advantage of the full five years’ funding available.
If you are intending to apply for a shorter period, you should contact the programme manager (fellows@mrc.ukri.org) before submitting a proposal. These periods are based on full-time equivalents.
Awards may be held on a part-time basis to meet personal commitments but not because of other professional commitments.
We expect you to take up your fellowship no more than six months after the date of the review meeting.
This fellowship scheme provides a competitive salary, giving you the chance to concentrate fully on your research, training and development.
You may spend up to six hours a week (pro-rated for part-time fellowships) on other commitments such as teaching, demonstrating and other funded projects.
Read MRC’s guidance for research staff development.
We may allow greater flexibility on the time dedicated to non-fellowship activities (for example, those detailed above or obtaining grant support) during the second half of a fellowship.
Email the programme manager at fellows@mrc.ukri.org to discuss your plans.
Find out more about what to expect as an MRC fellow.
Funding available
The career development award will cover the full cost of your salary, as well as:
- research staff costs
- consumables expenses
- travel costs
- appropriate capital equipment.
The award will also support a period of research overseas, at a second UK institution or within industry (whichever is most appropriate).
We encourage successful applicants to take advantage of the opportunities this will provide to develop collaborative networks and establish cross-sector development.
There is no limit to the amount of funding you can request under this scheme.
Requests must be appropriate to the project and you must be able to justify the amount you need to meet the objectives of your research proposal.
Awards are made under the full economic costing framework.
MRC will typically fund 80% of the full economic cost. The research organisation must agree to find the balance of full economic cost from other resources.
You cannot hold a salaried position and a fellowship at the same time. If you are awarded a fellowship, you may need to change to a proleptic appointment.
If you want to retain an existing position and combine this with research funding, we recommend you look at one of our grant scheme funding opportunities instead.
Search MRC grant funding opportunities.
Joint funders
MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly-funded career development awards.
These awards offer the prestige of having the relevant organisation co-fund your fellowship and may offer additional opportunities to report on your project, present your work at meetings and take part in professional networking.
We are inviting applications for the following jointly-funded clinician scientist fellowship schemes.
Blood Cancer UK
Blood Cancer UK is a community dedicated to beating blood cancer by funding research and supporting those affected.
Since 1960, we’ve invested over £500 million in blood cancer research, transforming treatments and saving lives.
We welcome applications from clinicians and non-clinical academics in any area of blood cancer research.
We offer joint funding opportunities with MRC administered through the clinician scientist fellowship and career development award schemes.
If you have any questions about the fellowship, please contact our research team via research@bloodcancer.org.uk or take a look at the Blood Cancer UK website for funding schemes.
For further information on the charity and its work please visit Blood Cancer UK’s website.
DEBRA
Each year, one clinical development award will be awarded jointly by MRC and DEBRA.
DEBRA is the largest UK funder of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) research. To support continued growth of EB research, we are committed to building a strong community of highly trained, innovative researchers with a clear career pathway into and through EB research.
DEBRA will be there to provide support at every stage: to attract, retain and support existing researchers and to bring new researchers into the field. This will ensure we inspire the next generation of EB researchers to become leaders of a future where no one suffers with EB.
Our new strategy puts patient outputs front and centre, with a focus on translational research that will have a positive impact on those with EB today. Our ambition is to find and fund treatments to lessen the day-to-day impact of EB, and cures to eradicate EB.
If you wish to discuss the fellowship or your proposed research area, please contact Dr Sagair Hussain, Director of Research at DEBRA: sagair.hussain@debra.org.uk
For more information about the charity and our research strategy visit the DEBRA website.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is leading the fight against the UK’s biggest and growing health crisis. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm and we fight diabetes through support, information, campaigning and research. As part of our research ambitions, we’re committed to attracting new research talent and retaining expertise so that we are growing the next generation of the future leaders.
We are partnering with MRC on a suite of research training fellowships to help grow investment in diabetes research careers. These include:
- clinical research training fellowship
- clinical scientist fellowship
- senior clinical fellowship
- career development award
- senior non-clinical fellowship
We will jointly fund up to 1 fellowship annually across these funding schemes. We will consider high quality applications into any aspect of diabetes and its related complications.
For further information regarding the charity’s work, including the research strategy, please visit the Diabetes UK website.
Kidney Research UK
Kidney Research UK is the leading medical research charity that funds research dedicated to deliver change for people affected by kidney disease.
Career development awards under this joint funding initiative awards will be for those who wish to pursue research that will help us drive forward our research strategy.
Applications that include an element of industry collaboration are welcomed, and Kidney Research UK may be able to assist potential applicants in establishing industrial contacts.
Kidney Research UK supports a wide range of research projects and career awards through open calls to UK academic clinicians and scientists.
We welcome applications from non-clinical academics.
We offer joint funding opportunities with MRC administered through the clinical research training fellowship, clinician scientist fellowship, and career development award schemes.
Additional benefits provided to successful applicants will include attendance at Kidney Research UK’s annual Driving Discoveries event
For further information on our work, please visit the Kidney Research UK website or email grants@kidneyresearchuk.org
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Up to one fellowship is awarded each year under this scheme, aimed at researchers who are involved in treating patients and who wish to pursue research into understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
For more information about the charity visit: Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Parkinson’s UK
Up to one fellowship is awarded each year under this scheme, jointly funded by Parkinson’s UK and the MRC.
Parkinson’s UK is focused on finding new and better treatments for Parkinson’s, and one day a cure. It is also keen to fund research that improves quality of life in the shorter term.
As part of a jointly funded award, fellows would be required to submit annual and final reports to the charity and to submit grant evaluation data to Researchfish annually.
Grant holders are also asked to host up to two engagement activities with people affected by Parkinson’s.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Founded in 1996 and now with about 17,500 members across the world, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) trains and educates paediatricians throughout their careers to the highest professional standards.
It also promotes research and child health policy in the UK and worldwide.
Its mission is to transform child health through knowledge, innovation and expertise. Its vision is a healthier future for children and young people across the world.
The Children’s Research Fund has been established to grow child health research capacity in the UK and to reverse the decline in the number of paediatric academics and researchers.
We welcome applications from clinicians and non-clinical academics in any area of child health research.
We offer joint funding opportunities with the MRC administered through the clinical research training fellowship, clinician scientist fellowship, and career development award schemes.
For further information on the charity and its work visit: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
Email: research@rcpch.ac.uk
The Borne Foundation
The Borne Foundation supports research into pregnancy and the factors and conditions that may lead to preterm birth.
They fund research programmes and projects that examine the biological processes of pregnancy and childbirth to understand changes in the maternal environment and their significance, and the mechanisms involved in normal and abnormal labour.
For further information regarding Borne and its work visit: The Borne Foundation.
Tuberous Sclerosis Association
The Tuberous Sclerosis Association (TSA) is the only UK based charity dedicated to providing support and information to those with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and their families as well campaigning for improved funding for vital treatments and services.
A major strand of its work is to support and fund research with the aim of finding a cure for the condition.
For more information about the organisation’s research strategy, research funding opportunities and the projects it supports visit: the research pages of the TSA website.
