Apply for funding to support new partnerships between diverse groups of researchers within the remit of Medical Research Council (MRC).

You must be a researcher employed by a research organisation eligible to apply for MRC funding.

The grant will allow you to:

• establish new, high-value collaborative activities or capabilities
• add value to high-quality scientific programmes that are already supported by grants from MRC and other funders

Funding is available for between one and five years.

This is an ongoing funding opportunity. Application rounds close every January, May and September.

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service.

For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual.

Who is eligible to apply

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity you must:

• be a researcher employed by an eligible research organisation
• be aiming to create a novel partnership between a diverse group of researchers
• plan to establish new, high-value collaborative activities or capabilities that add value to high-quality research programmes already supported by MRC or other funders
• show that you will direct the project and be actively engaged in the work, or contribute to the academic leadership of the partnership
• focus your application within the research area of:
  • infections and immunity
  • molecular and cellular medicine
  • neurosciences and mental health
  • population and systems medicine
• have completed the pre-application stage and been invited to the full application stage

For applicants who do not have a contract of employment for the duration of the proposed project, by submitting an application the research organisation is confirming, if it is successful:

• contracts will be extended beyond the end date of the project
• all necessary support for the project and the applicants will be provided, including mentorship and career development for early career researchers

Who is not eligible to apply

You are not eligible to apply for a partnership grant if you want funding for a research project. You should instead consider a research grant or programme grant.

If you are based at an MRC institute you are not eligible to apply for a partnership grant as the project lead. You can apply in any other role such as project co-lead.

International applicants

You can include international project co-leads if they provide expertise not available in the UK and make a major intellectual contribution to the design or conduct of the project. You must justify in your application why their expertise is required, see Applicant and team capability to deliver.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks
• support for people with caring responsibilities
• flexible working
• alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI.