The Medical Research Council’s new investigator research grant is for researchers who are ready to lead their own project for the first time and take the step towards independence. Unlike a fellowship, it pays for up to half of your time, so you can combine it with teaching, clinical work, other grants or a lectureship. Since October 2026 it has run continuously, so you can apply whenever your proposal is ready, with 14 April 2027 as the date to aim for.
The scheme reopened on 12 October 2026 in a new applicant-led format, alongside the MRC research grant and partnership grant. Applications are processed continuously, with shortlisting panels and interviews usually held twice a year, in November and May.
Who it is for
The test is your career stage, not the number of years since your PhD. You need to show that your skills and experience match the transition to independence stage in the MRC’s applicant skills and experience table, that you will be the sole intellectual lead on the project, and that your host organisation backs you. You can apply if you:
- are a postdoc, although the grant cannot start until your current post ends
- hold a lectureship, a junior fellowship or another research staff post
- hold, or have held, an early career fellowship such as an MRC skills development fellowship
- are clinically active or non-clinical
- are moving to a new host organisation that has agreed to support you
You are not eligible if you have already led a research team or been awarded a substantial grant as project lead or fellow (usually three years or more, with salary for at least one other team member), already hold an award designed to support the transition to independence, or have an MRC or UKRI early independence fellowship application under consideration. You get two attempts, and the second can be a resubmission of the first.
What it funds
There is no upper limit on the budget. The MRC pays 80% of the full economic cost for up to five years, and projects normally last at least three, since that is roughly how long it takes to establish independence. You can request up to 50% of your own salary, at your organisation’s usual level for new investigators, plus time for co-leads, research and technical staff, consumables, equipment, travel, NHS research costs and public involvement. Projects start between nine and 18 months after you submit. Later phase clinical trials, studentships and bridging funding are not covered.
Co-leads and specialists can join the team where they bring expertise you do not have, but it is not usually appropriate to include your current or recent supervisor or lab head, because it blurs whose project it is. Successful award holders can register for the Academy of Medical Sciences mentoring programme, and our guide on how to be a good mentor covers the other side of that relationship.
Does it fit dementia research?
The grant covers discovery and early translational research across MRC remit, which includes neurosciences and mental health. If your project involves an experimental intervention or challenge in people, the MRC’s experimental medicine scheme also has a new investigator route. For a frank look at stepping up to lead your own work, read The Contradictions and Challenges of the Junior PI.
How applications are assessed
Members of the MRC college of experts first shortlist applications on ambition, expected impact and deliverability. Shortlisted applications go to expert review, with 14 days for you to respond, and then to interview. Alongside the standard sections you need a host organisation support statement written by your head of department, a short section explaining why you count as a new investigator, and a career development section. You can only be project lead on one application at a time across the MRC’s applicant-led grants. The MRC says it is happy to talk to new investigators at any stage, including about how an unsuccessful application was assessed.
How to apply
Apply through the UKRI Funding Service, making sure you choose the new investigator grant type. Remit questions go to the programme manager for your area, and anything else to applicantleddiscovery@mrc.ukri.org. Before you start writing, listen to our podcast on grant writing tips from awardees and reviewers.
Read the full details and apply
Visit funding web page
(https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-new-investigator-research-grant-applicant-led/)