The Medical Research Council (MRC) is changing the way they fund long-term research through units and centres, to adopt a new challenge-led, time-limited approach through MRC Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs). MRC CoREs will be funded for up to 14 years (initial 7 years plus a further 7 based on successful review in year 6). You can request up to £21.2 million at 80% FEC for the first 7 years.
Round 2 of the CoREs focuses on the following themes:
- Enhancing healthspan
- Immune regulation
- Molecular mechanisms to inform cancer intervention
MRC expect to make up to 2 awards nationally. Full details of the themes can be found on the MRC website.
Internal selection
The University of Oxford may lead up to 3 outline applications in this round, one in each theme. The Medical Sciences Division will be running an internal selection process to identify Oxford’s submissions. All bids led by the University must submit an internal expression of interest (EOI) in IRAMS by Wednesday 1st November at 12 noon.
EOIs will be reviewed by the Medical Sciences Division leadership team, with appropriate input for any cross-divisional bids. The outcome of this selection process will be communicated by 14th November 2023, to allow selected bids to develop their outline application to MRC by their deadline on 7th February 2024.
You do not need to submit an internal EOI for applications led by other organisations where the University of Oxford will be a partner. However please notify research@medsci.ox.ac.uk of these applications because a letter of support will be required.
In IRAMS please enter the names of all co-applicants within the University of Oxford and in external partners. Enter outline costs in the Financial Details table; you do not need to submit an X5 with the internal EOI.
Please attach to your IRAMS submission as a single collated PDF document
- The internal EOI form, which can be found on IRAMS
- A CV of the lead applicant (any format)
MRC Webinar for potential applicants
The MRC are hosting a webinar on 8th November 2023 at 10:30am UK time. This will provide more information about the funding opportunity and a chance to ask questions. Register for the webinar on the MRC website.
