Medical Research Council (MRC)
Humanities and Social Sciences
Opportunities on health-related topics are mainly available from the Medical Research Council (MRC), the National Institute for Health Research UK (NIHR), the National Institutes of Health US (NIH), and the Wellcome Trust in specific areas where interdisciplinary work is required and social sciences disciplines are expected. From the MRC, there are various possibilities.
Aims
In relation to Humanities and the Social Sciences projects involving various disciplines. Interdisciplinary discovery science and cross-council interdisciplinary funding: Antimicrobial Resistance, Data for Discovery, Urban Living, Regenerative Medicine and Technology Touching Life, and Mental Health (MRC and ESRC).
Priorities
-
six broad areas of research:
- "Research boards and panelsare comprised of a group of leading scientists who play a key role in delivering the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) objectives across the portfolio. The research boards hold their own research budgets and review and manage scientific activity within their specialist areas."
- Better methods, better research (BMBR) initiative: the study of how to best to design, conduct, analyse and evaluate medical and health research from researchers in a wide range of fields aiming to develop the best methods (recipes for research) in areas underpinning biomedical science, experimental medicine, clinical trials, population health sciences, health services research and health policy. Two funding rounds a year, in June and November.
- Population health sciences group. Population-based health research. Health improved measurement methods, for example.
- Ethics, regulation and public involvement committee. and ‘addressing inequalities in health’ (including in developing countries) are also closely related to Social Sciences and AMBS HSRC.
UKRI Strategy 2022-2027, Corporate Plan 2022-2025 and Delivery Plans 2019-20
- UKRI's Strategy 2022-2027 transforming tomorrrow together is available online.
- The latest UKRI Corporate Plan 2022-2025 (August 2022): "UKRI’s corporate plan demonstrates how the world-class research and innovation UKRI supports will drive economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for all."
- The MRC Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-2025:
Strategic objectives
|
People and careers |
Places |
Ideas |
Innovation |
Impacts |
|
Supporting the breadth and diversity of skilled people needed for the future R&D workforce; and advancing an open and collaborative research and innovation culture. |
Fostering local, national, and international partnerships; access to infrastructure, equipment and digital capabilities; and the sustainability and agility of our major investments portfolio. |
Funding world-class discovery science and driving an integrated understanding of human disease. |
Strengthening the translation of discovery science and experimental medicine; driving advanced therapies and innovative technologies; and broadening partnerships with industry. |
Promoting healthy ageing and reducing the burden of mental and physical illness; strengthening health equity and prevention; tackling infections; protecting human health in the face of environmental change; and progressing transformative technologies. |
|
Supported by a world-class organisation |
||||
|
Strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion and enabling talented people to thrive; being an efficient, effective and agile organisation; and catalysing change and improving environmental sustainability through partnerships and leadership. |
||||
Budget
|
Budget category i ii |
2022–23 (£m) |
2023–24 (£m) |
2024–25 (£m) |
|
Core R&I Budgets |
548.07 |
587.36 |
615.06 |
|
Existing cross-UKRI Strategic Programmes |
23.80 |
24.26 |
19.70 |
|
Fund for International Collaboration |
5.13 |
1.86 |
0.00 |
|
Strategic Priorities Fund |
18.67 |
22.40 |
19.70 |
|
Infrastructure* |
42.81 |
40.82 |
39.08 |
|
World Class Labs |
30.75 |
37.32 |
39.08 |
|
Digital Research Infrastructure Programme – phase 1b pilot projects (2022–23 – 2023–24) |
3.00 |
1.50 |
0.00 |
|
Carbon Zero Fund |
0.95 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Existing infrastructure investments |
8.11 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
|
R&I Budgets – existing time-limited commitments |
21.01 |
3.97 |
0.00 |
|
COVID interventions |
21.01 |
3.97 |
0.00 |
|
Grand Total |
635.69 |
656.41 |
673.84 |
* Infrastructure projects are detailed separately below. Note that further infrastructure allocations to Councils may be made during the Spending Review period from the Infrastructure Fund, Digital Research Infrastructure Programme and Carbon Zero Fund Programme.
Notes
i. The figures provided in this document are in line with the 2022–23 – 2024–25 budget allocations for UK Research and Innovation. These are broken down by our budgeting and reporting categories, and exclude funding for ODA, Financial Transactions, and BEIS Managed Programmes. Figures are indicative and may vary over the course of the three-year period due to budget adjustments made as a part of on-going financial management and planning processes to maximise the use of our total funding.
ii. From 2022–23 UKRI talent investments are managed collectively across the Research Councils. The funding for collective talent activities outlined in this delivery plan are accounted for in the broader collective talent funding line included in our Corporate Plan.
|
Infrastructure Fundprojects include:* |
Total lifetime allocation (some in future SR periods) |
|
Infrastructure Fund: Wave 1 – Full project – Population Research UK (PRUK) - Joint project with ESRC |
9.00 |
|
Infrastructure Fund: Wave 1 – Full project – Adolescent Health Study - Subject to business case approval |
61.94 |
|
Infrastructure Fund: Wave 2 – Full project – Total body PET platform - Subject to business case approval, joint project with Innovate UK |
32.10 |
|
Infrastructure Fund: Wave 2 – Full project – UK Biobank - Subject to business case approval, joint project with ESRC |
127.60 |
* Infrastructure projects are detailed separately below. Note that further infrastructure allocations to Councils may be made during the Spending Review period from the Infrastructure Fund, Digital Research Infrastructure Programme and Carbon Zero Fund Programme.