The Medical Research Council with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is looking to fund research projects that will lead to tangible change in health policy and practice in the near future through practical, impact focused research. The aim is to fund a portfolio of high-quality global research, which will be diverse, promote multidisciplinarity and strengthen global health research capacity.
This includes:
- late-stage intervention development and testing, which can include global health trials from phase 2b (efficacy) onwards
- implementation and scale-up research
- health systems, health policy and health economics research
Cross-sector research combining expertise to meet a global health challenge is also welcomed. For example, an application may include aspects of urban planning, health policy and non-communicable disease research. The research question might involve different disciplines and approaches from outside the health sector, but the primary objective must be health focused.
You can apply for funding to address any health topic of relevance in the context where the research will be conducted.
Eligibility: All applicants are required to develop plans to strengthen research capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) within their application, which will be assessed by expert reviewers and inform funding decisions. To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity you must:
- be eligible as an individual
- be based at either an eligible UK research organisation, or based in a:
- research organisation in a low or middle-income country (LMIC), with degree-awarding powers recognised by the government in which the organisation is based
- research-focused institute based in an LMIC either funded by the government of the country in which the organisation is based, or by a not-for-profit organisation
- research-focused not-for-profit organisation based in an LMIC with dedicated research capacity
Level of funding: Applications of all sizes from £150,000, including large applications of approximately £2 million and small to medium-scale applications will be accepted. Value for money will be taken into account when assessing applications. The resources you request should be appropriate for the objectives of your application.
Additional information: There will be a webinar on 7 December 2023. This will provide more information about the funding opportunity and a chance to ask questions. Register for the webinar.
Key dates
- 13 February 2024: applications for stage one close at 16:00 GMT