Medical Research Council (MRC) Virtual Study Tour- 16 October 2025 by ARMA UK

2025-10-03 14:19:05 UTC

What types of strategic infrastructure projects is MRC currently prioritising, and are there specific thematic areas or technologies where new proposals are especially encouraged?

Applicant-led always open review and decision timelines

2025-10-09 12:53:25 UTC

I'm sure that this will come up during the study tour, but it would be great to know how the new "always open" approach to applicant led applications will be administered, and what applicants will know (committee/panel deadlines?) and what they should expect. Will the approach be reviewed and if so, after what time period? Thank you!

MRC Equip

2025-10-09 14:03:54 UTC

Will MRC Equip ever return and if so in what form and when?

Institutional Contribution

2025-10-13 11:40:00 UTC

How is MRC advising reviewers when it comes to Institutional Contributions, in particular around their fellowship/new investigator type schemes. Although match funding is not 'required' reviewers are still commenting that organisation support is less compared to other applications (where there may be more availability of studentships or permanent posts being offered)

AI

2025-10-13 11:40:42 UTC

How is MRC addressing the use of AI in applications? As well as reviewers using AI in crafting their responses?

Applicant lead/always open changes

2025-10-13 11:44:29 UTC

Can MRC advise what/if changes will be happening with the new launch of the always open scheme, i.e. how the Vision/Approach/R4RI/etc will be changing in word counts etc

MRC Transition Grants

2025-10-15 15:10:01 UTC

For programme leads in MRC Units that are closing, is there any difference between applying for transition grants and applying for standard programme grants?

National infrastructure

2025-10-16 08:25:01 UTC

With the financial pressures facing the sector universities are looking at the viability of maintaining some facilities e.g. animal houses. What steps are MRC taking to protect the national research infrastructure to ensure that high quality research can continue to be carried out in high quality, accessible facilities.

New Industrial Strategy

2025-10-16 08:26:35 UTC

With the increasing emphasis from government on economic revival via the new Industrial Strategy sector plans is there an expectation that applications should address how they might contribute to these plans via their proposed research?

Effect of new UKRI Fellowship Framework on MRC fellowship calls

2025-10-16 08:29:01 UTC

UKRI published the details of a new fellowship investment framework, to be applied to any new fellowship opportunities from late 2025 and any existing fellowships aligning with this framework next time they're open. How (if at all) will we observe the effects of this framework on MRC's current fellowship calls including CDAs?

Thank you for your questions....

2025-10-16 09:12:24 UTC

Any questions that aren't addressed in the sessions will be taken away and we'll aim to add responses to the Padlet.

What’s working well in your engagement with MRC?

2025-10-16 16:10:56 UTC

What are the challenges you face engaging with MRC?

2025-10-16 16:11:40 UTC

How can we work better together?

2025-10-16 16:12:02 UTC

Which topics would you like future MRC sessions to cover?

2025-10-16 16:12:27 UTC