The Early Independence Career Development Fellowships are available for career transition support within the MRC remit under the new Fellowship Investment Framework. Applications are encouraged from all nationalities, including individuals not currently in the UK.
Application Deadline:
- 15 September 2026 (4:00 pm UK time)
Tell Me About the Fellowship Programme:
The Medical Research Council (MRC) offers the Early Independence Career Development Fellowship to support talented researchers transitioning to independence. This fellowship is part of the Fellowship Investment Framework and is designed for researchers within the MRC remit to improve human health. It provides salary and project costs for up to five years (pro rata for part‑time).
Fellowship Details:
- Funding: 80% of full economic cost (salary + project costs).
- Duration: up to 5 years (start between June–September 2027).
- Scope: biomedical discovery, translational research, public health, global health, neuroscience, infections & immunity, and more.
- Support: salary, small research/technical staff, consumables, equipment, travel, training, visa fees, NHS research costs, and overseas/industry placements (up to 12 months).
Type:
- Career Development Fellowship | Medical Research | UKRI/MRC
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent.
- Show evidence of career consolidation and productivity.
- Present clear plans for establishing an independent research niche.
- Be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation.
- Have research focus within the MRC remit.
- Not already hold a comparable fellowship or permanent independent position.
- Not be clinically active (clinician scientists have a separate scheme).
Who is Not Eligible?
- Applicants with prior comparable fellowships or new investigator awards.
- Those already leading grants with postdoctoral staff.
- Applicants holding permanent independent positions.
- Those applying for multiple fellowships simultaneously.
How Are Applicants Selected?
Applications are assessed on:
- Vision – originality, importance, timeliness, potential impact.
- Approach – feasibility, methodology, risk management, collaborations.
- Reproducibility & Statistical Design – robustness, reliability, bias mitigation.
- Career Development – evidence of past productivity and plans for independence.
- Sponsor Support – senior departmental sponsor guarantees quality and training.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- Global – applicants of all nationalities welcome, but fellowship must be hosted at a UK institution.
Where is the Fellowship Taken?
- UK research organisations (universities, NHS institutions, or eligible research centres).
What is the Benefit of the Fellowship Programme?
- Competitive salary.
- Funding for research staff, consumables, equipment, and training.
- Flexibility for overseas/industry placements.
- Support for visa fees and dependents.
- Opportunity to establish an independent research team.
How Long Will the Fellowship Last?
- Up to 5 years (part‑time possible for caring responsibilities).
Required Documents:
- CV.
- PhD certificate.
- Research proposal (vision, approach, reproducibility).
- Sponsor statement.
- Project partner support letters (if applicable).
How to Apply:
- Apply via the UKRI Funding Service (not Je‑S).
- Prepare proposal (summary, vision, approach, reproducibility, keywords).
- Submit one fellowship application only.
- Deadline: 15 September 2026 (4:00 pm UK time).
Visit the Application Webpage for Details
