MRC Proof of Concept: stage one

The MRC Proof of Concept: stage one is a UKRI funding opportunity to support academically-led translational projects developing and testing novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions across the developmental pathway up to early-phase clinical studies (phase 2a). Projects may span prototype development, pre-clinical refinement and early clinical work and must provide sufficient proof-of-concept data. The scheme supports work on candidate therapeutics, vaccines, biologics, advanced therapeutics, regenerative medicine, repurposing studies, medical devices and digital healthcare.

Project funding to develop and test translational health interventions; no specified upper limit on funding requests.

Applicants must be employed by an eligible research organisation and will direct and be actively engaged in the project. Applicants must be based at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding; international researchers can participate as project co-lead (international) but project leads must be at eligible UK organisations.

Applications are submitted through the UKRI funding service via the UKRI application process; demand management applies and applicants can submit only one application as project lead.